24 replies to this topic

[LarryKing]

. . . is officially on my WTF list.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-01-24/Backyard-wonderland-reveals-imaginative-Dale-Earnhardt-Jr/52779424/1

[Jim Drago]

looks like the start of Michael Jacksons place

[Steve D]

One of 'em would put the wood in ya. The other puts you in the woods.

I think I'll pick Junior.

[wheel]

"put the wood in ya."

Only if you were under 12 years old.

[Jim Creighton]

I actually spoke to Jr & to his sister Kelly about this when it first got started. Before I say anything, just take a moment and put yourself in his shoes. His face is well known especially in Mooresville/Kannapolis making it almost impossible to go out in public in peace. Then, also consider you are taking in $34,000,000 a year which means $2,833,333 per month, $653,846.15 per week or $93,150.68 per day seven days a week. All the NASCAR drivers are very aware that a DUI ticket is a super NO NO. So rather than risk the public, the liability and any problems, most hang out at home.

Thus, Jr. built a big party/social room in his basement for all the friends. However, since most of the friends are fellow drivers and crew, it still created the transportation problem. In addition, after they "trashed" the basement area and several wandered up stairs to sleep it off, Jr decided to build a western theme saloon on his property. He already had two super go kart tracks, one dirt, one paved and a garage area for his fleet of Corvettes, Chevy Bel Aire, Camaros, a Mercedes & his trucks. However, the problem of transportation still existed so he had a hotel built for everyone to sleep it off. And since several did not want to obey the rules, he had a jail built. Of course, he had to add a restaurant. And for those who needed forgiveness from the highest authority, he had a church built.

The town named Whiskey River( Jr is a real fan of Willie Nelson) is used for Company functions and has been featured in several recent commercials. ( I've got tickets to see Willie here in Atlanta in 2 weeks) Jr also owns two Pubs named Whiskey River, one in Mooresville and the other in Jacksonville, Fl.

Dale Jr is a really family and friend oriented guy. He hired his sister, Kelley, to manage DEI and has long had his cousin Tony Eury, Jr as his crew chief and Uncle Tony Eury Sr as Director of operations. He also brought them both in a co owners last year. Kelley & Dale's mother both have houses on his 200 plus acres outside Kannapolis. He spends a great deal of time with his charity work and his foundation reportedly raises well over 5 million a year for primarily children and veterans' charities a year.

I know Jr and he ain't no Michael Jackson. And he has a girl friend, Amy! BTW, never get around Tony Stewart & Jr. It's nothing but trouble looking for a place to happen. Ever notice how the female reporters never turn their backs on either? Can you say goose?

Here's an interesting bit of Earnhardt trivia. Who, when & where was the first Earnhardt to drive the Black #3 after Sr's death? Answer; His daughter, 20 year old Taylor Nicole Earnhardt on July 4th, 2009 at the Greenwood Festival of Speed in England. She drove the Goodrich Chev that Dale drove to his final victory at Talladega in October of 2000. Taylor is better know in the sport of Equestrian where in 2008 she won a World Championship Equestrian Barrel Racing event in Texas.

[LarryKing]

Here's an idea - They're grown men, maybe it's time to stop partying like 20 year old frat boys? OR if they just have to pickle what's left of their brains, hire a driver. I think they can afford it.

Hey it's Jr's money, he can do whatever he wants. I just can't get that picture of Marky the Kid (Martin) out of my mind.

[dstevens]

He's also got professionally built paved and dirt kart tracks. That's where his nieces are learning to race.

[Jim Drago]

I have never really understood the JR appeal, I guess many fans went his way with his fathers passing. By all accounts, JR seems like a really decent guy, a little "red" for my liking , but a good guy. If you ever listen to the Nascar channel on Sirius, it is absolutely scary to listen to "JR Nation" fans. You should hear the countless conspiracy theories as to why JR is and hasn't won etc. Literally hundreds of different stories. If and when he wins again, they will go insane. IMO, he is a solid driver, but not a with anymore than mid pack talent. Less the last name and the fan base, he wouldn't have a ride IMO. The success he did have in NASCAR was with DEI, where even Michael Waltrip was winning on restrictor plate tracks. JR is in the best equipment imaginable, if he can't win at Hendrick, he can't win anywhere. I hope he breaks through and wins one this year on pace, they will go nuts and it will provide some really good entertainment.

[LarryKing]

Jim, They ain't git'n Junior the best equipment.

I really, really want to see Dani do good - just to hear the haters stammering, "buu, buuu, but..."

[wheel]

What NASCAR needs is a really fast openly gay driver. That would really make things interesting.

[LarryKing]

You're forgetting Jean Gerard (and Jeff Gordon).

[Doug007]

Haha, yes, a real life Jean Girard from Talledega Nights! Perrier car and all

Attached Files

•  girard-perrier.jpg   14.91KB   3 downloads

[Qik Nip]

Jim, They ain't git'n Junior the best equipment.

I really, really want to see Dani do good - just to hear the haters stammering, "buu, buuu, but..."

She's attractive, charming but was at best a solid mid pack driver in IRL (driving the best possible equipment). Unfortunately Ms Patrick will fair less well in NASCAR. Heck, I even like her. That said, she like Jr will have a big (but different) built in fan base and therefore a guaranteed ride and lots of money. Stewart-Haas dIdn't hire her for any other reason than financial. She knows that, as does everyone in that sport.
Rick

[LarryKing]

I'm imagining Danica as openly gay right now.

Rick, there's only a handful of teams that stand a chance of competing, but the other field-fillers don't get the scrutiny and outright disdain that Danica enGENDERs.

Why is that?

[Randy Thieme]

With Maryeve Dufault joining NASCAR will she steal Danica's limelight?

[LarryKing]

and Leilani Munter

[Doug007]

I'm imagining Danica openly gay with Maryeve Default...

[Jim Drago]

I don't dislike Danica.. Heard a lot of stories about how she arrived in INDY car.. She has some talent, more than me. But she was never areal threat in INDY car and she WILL NEVER be a threat in NASCAR. Far better open wheel drivers have struggled in NASCAR.


I had never even heard of Maryeve Default, but she makes Danica Patrick look like Sarah Fischer! Does she have any ability, besides the obvious ones?

[dstevens]

Are we talking about the Dale Jr with two Busch championships, 18 Cup wins, 162 top 10s and 10 Cup poles. You know, the one that finished 7th in the Chase last year? Yeah, what a hack..... His evil step mom said it best..."He's more concerned with being Dale Jr than being a Cup champ" I think she's right, when you're riding around asking ball scores under green flag racing that's not 100% focus. I don't think he wants it bad enough. Edwards only has 19 wins, Kahne 12, and Dr Evil and Mini ME, errr I mean Kurt and Kyle Bush have 24 and 23 respectively. Harvick 17, Hamlin 18. Buddy Baker 15 in the modern era. Jr doesn't suck, he just doesn't want it bad enough.

As for Default, she needs to run a season or two in Canadian Tire series or even down at South Boston in a super late in the Whelen All American series and not ARCA like last season. She made some glaring errors at Montreal last year and I don't know that Bodine would give her a shot like that on a mile and half in Nationwide. It looks like Tony Marks has dropped Default in favor of Munter. Munter has a racing background in several series. In 42 starts, 9 top fives, 19 top tens and a 90% finishing ratio.

I also wouldn't under estimate Danicle is season. She'll get her ass handed to her in Cup but I bet she has a seat at the front table at the banquet at the end of the season. I saw her run Vegas last year, real strong run.

[Bench Racer]

Some are real quick to pick on a chick that get's a ride, however she get's the ride. How come no-one picks on the guys whose folks mortgaged EVERYTHING to get their boy into a ride.

On the Jr. thing, do ya think he may not have the total package (not talking about current cars or support team) to run at the top in Sprint cup? Let us remember he blistered the boys in the Jr. series.