www.MotorCityAutoParts.com
RICHMOND — Dale Earnhardt Jr. knows his chances of making NASCAR's Race for the Chase depend on his performance Saturday night and getting a whole lot of help.
Earnhardt is 13th in points, 128 behind Kevin Harvick, currently the 12th and final driver in position to make NASCAR's field for its 10-race run to the championship. Even if Earnhardt wins the Chevy Rock 'N Roll 400 at Richmond International Speedway and leads the most laps, all Harvick would have to do is finish 32nd or better to shut him out.
But it's possible that Earnhardt could receive a little support from his friends – his new friends at Hendrick Motorsports, the team he'll begin to race for in 2008.
"If he asks nicely, sure we can arrange something," said series points leader Jeff Gordon, offering a tongue-in-cheek response to the suggestion that Hendrick drivers could affect the outcome of the race to positively impact Earnhardt's chances.
Gordon said that he and Hendrick teammate Jimmie Johnson had their "own agendas" in terms of attempting to win and accumulate bonus points that count toward the Chase. "But if we can't accomplish that and there's something we can do to help Junior get in, I think he would be a great addition to the Chase and to the sport," Gordon said. "And now that he's going to be our teammate next year, I think we would lend a helping hand if we could help."
Earnhardt, whose current teammate Martin Truex Jr. is all but locked into the Chase for Dale Earnhardt Inc., isn't counting on any such assistance.
"We're just going to do the best we can," he said. "We practiced really hard today. The mood and the attitude of the team is really good."
Comments from the Hendrick drivers – present and future – were made during a press conference to announce Hendrick's affiliation with Chevrolet for 2008 and beyond. That announcement took on increased significance this week in the wake of Joe Gibbs Racing's defection to Toyota.
Hendrick follows Richard Childress Racing as the second organization to formally commit to Chevrolet for 2008.
All my years in racing, Chevrolet has always given us the tools to stay up front," team owner Rick Hendrick said.
"I think we're definitely with the right group, with the right group," Gordon said.
PLANS FOR THE NO. 8: Hendrick said he hopes to announce a sponsor and a new number for Earnhardt's car within the next two weeks. He said that Earnhardt will not drive the No. 8 or the No. 25, currently the number assigned to Casey Mears, who is moving to Hendrick's No. 5.
But Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s No. 8 will be back on the track in 2008 with new drivers behind the wheel and a new sponsor on the hood.
Mark Martin and Aric Almirola will split time behind the U.S. Army-sponsored car next year. Martin has been sharing time in the No. 01 Army car this year. The No. 8 has traditionally carried the Budweiser paint scheme synonymous with Earnhardt Jr.
"Our lineup is the perfect blend of veteran leadership and youthful promise," said Max Siegel, president of global operations for DEI, who announced Friday that Regan Smith, who has shared driving duties with Martin this season, will drive a car of his own in 2008.
DEI will also continue to field cars for Truex and Paul Menard.
With Earnhardt committed to drive for Hendrick Motorsports next year, Martin said he expects to receive some backlash form disgruntled Junior fans.
"I spent a lot of years on the race track racing with Dale Sr. and (had) a lot of battles," Martin said. "It's very important to this company and it's part of keeping Dale Earnhardt's legacy alive. I'm sorry for the ones that don't like it, but for the ones that do, I appreciate them. "
RUDD HOPING TO RUN AGAIN: Ricky Rudd can't rule out the possibility that last week's Aquos 500 at California Speedway – his 900th career Cup start – will also be his last.
Rudd crashed on the 180th lap at California, separating his left shoulder. The injury will keep him from running in Saturday night's race and jeopardizes his chances of running again in what he says will be his final season behind the wheel of a regular Cup ride.
"That's really kind of in the doctor's hands," said Rudd, his left arm in a sling. "When I heard I had a separated shoulder, I thought that sounded pretty good – a lot better than it breaking. (Now) I understand that's not necessarily a good thing. It's torn ligaments and stretched ligaments. I hoped it's not my last race. I'm not planning on that, but we'll just race it one weekend at time. '
Kenny Wallace is replacing Rudd this weekend at Richmond. Rudd, 30th in driver's points, has qualified in the top 10 four times and has a best finish of seventh this season at the Coca-Cola 600. He says Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing has a lot of catching up to do in terms of technology.
"We have made improvements and we're going in the right direction but (the team) is in severe need of a dose of healthy engineering," Rudd said. "It's disappointing that our performances haven't been better – me or David Gilliland. Our crew chiefs, Butch Hylton and Todd Parrott are working as hard as they can, but they're fighting a battle with one arm tied behind their backs. They don't have the tools in the toolbox to get it done."
This Article Is Sponsored By:
www.MotorCityAutoParts.com
For More Information About This Article Please Email:
Trevor@MotorCityAutoParts.com
Article Number: 000047
No comments:
Post a Comment