Dale Earnhardt Jr AD - Bruce's Opinion

I don't know if anyone else has coined the term, but AD: After DEI.

Now that Jr has announced probably what anyone who 1/2 way knows him had expected anyway, it's time to see who his fans really are.

I've heard different perspectives about fans who may or may not follow him to HM.

If these fans are on the bubble about this, then they ARE NOT Jr fans. They are DEI fans riding the coat tails of their preferred DEI driver. Shame on youuuuu!

For the true Jr fan, worry yourself not. If you don't have any tolerance for Gordon or Johnson, don't worry. Do you like everyone you work with? No, you are just working for the same company. That's what this is.. He's just working at the same company some of the 'dark side' drivers are at. (I jeard that, it's not my term!)

On the other hand, as Jr recounted to the press this morning, he pointed Jimmie to his first motorhome, and other first things and Gordon has been a business partner of Earnhardt Sr. in the past, so they probably know each pretty well too.

Yet I have to wonder, on NASCAR.com, there's this pic headlining one of the stories, just how Johnson and Gordon feel, being back rowed to the 2 buddies, the newer drivers.

Well, to be honest about it, they're probably just fine, but still, who wants to take a back seat?

(This image courtesy of NASCAR.com)

According the the NASCAR.com statistics website page, the drivers ranked over the last 6 races, Gordon is ranked #1, and Jr is ranked 7th. (One spot behind Truex by the way.)

I think this will make a an interesting team. With Mears on his way up, and the other 3 drivers, just which 4 or 5 races will Hendricks Motorsports not win in 2008 because as they've proven this year, they have the COT thing down like it's nobody's business!!

As for "The Shrub", Kyle Busch made this press statement at the same time Jr was having his press conference: (I guess he didn't need to hear it, since he knew about it.)

"We had been working on a contract extension for me to remain at Hendrick Motorsports, but after prolonged negotiations, we mutually agreed that a fresh start was in order. I have been granted a release after the 2007 season," said Busch, known for being a fierce competitor on the track and his somewhat childish tantrums off of it. (nascar.com)

It will be a matter of time before we see or hear where he'll go, because officially, silly season is well under way, is it not?

Take care all, Bruce