Kyle Busch Captures Pole For NASCAR Sprint All Star Race
May 17, 2008
CONCORD, N.C. — Kyle Busch continued his dominance with a flawless qualifying effort Friday night to capture the pole for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Read more
NASCAR: Race-day penalties were enough punishment for Hamlin, Waltrip
May 6, 2008
CONCORD, N.C. — Denny Hamlin won’t be further penalized for intentionally bringing out a late caution in Saturday night’s race at Richmond International Raceway even though there is precedent for it. Read more
Drivers Characterize Wreck At Richmond As No Big Deal
May 6, 2008
CONCORD, N.C. — Three security guards walked into the media center with Kyle Busch during Monday’s test session at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, but none was needed. Read more
NASCAR Looking To Change Drug Policy For 2009
May 6, 2008
RICHMOND, Va. — NASCAR president Brian France has appointed a group of company officials to an interim committee that will study the sport’s drug policy, vice president of communications Jim Hunter said Friday. Read more
Junior Earnhardt Laughs At 100K Indy Offer
May 6, 2008
RICHMOND, Va. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. laughed at Eddie Gossage’s offer of $100,000 to drive in the IndyCar series race at Texas Motor Speedway on June 7.
“Well, he thinks I’m a cheap date, I guess,” NASCAR’s most popular driver said before Friday’s Sprint Cup qualifying at Richmond International Raceway.
Even if the TMS president upped his offer, Earnhardt didn’t appear interested.
“My conscious wouldn’t let me,” said Earnhardt, worth more than $20 million a year according to Forbes Magazine.
Replied Gossage, “But did he say no? The way I see it the door is still open. We’ll work on it. I’m open to negotiations.”
Gossage made the offer, his latest in a series of publicity stunts involving Earnhardt, after IRL driver Danica Patrick went on Earnhardt’s Thursday night XM Satellite Radio show and said “if he ever wanted to swap cars and run in an open-wheel race, Texas would be the place to give it a shot.”
Gossage said the offer was not a publicity stunt to sell tickets, that he might increase it to $125,000.
“Obviously, he’s interested or he wouldn’t have brought it up,” Gossage said.
Earnhardt didn’t exactly bring it up. He simply was responding to a question during his hauler chat.
That Gossage would put the onus on him doesn’t come as a surprise to the son of seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt.
“I know his intentions well,” Earnhardt said. “We had that discussion with the billboard thing. I totally understand what his approach to advertising is now.”
Earnhardt was referring to Gossage’s publicity effort to help fill the stands for the April Cup race. He put up a series of billboards for why fans should buy tickets.
The one involving Earnhardt said, “Reason #88: Step-Mom,” taking a shot at Earnhardt’s tumultuous relationship with stepmother Teresa Earnhardt.
The billboard drew objections by Earnhardt’s sister and business manager, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge. Gossage changed it to say, “Reason #88: New Car Smell.”
Earnhardt said Gossage would have gotten more mileage out of his latest stunt when a reporter suggested $5 million to $10 million should have been offered.
“He’ s kind of like Austin Powers’ Dr. Evil,” Earnhardt said of the fictional character in a series of comedy movies. “His first estimate of holding the world ransom [for $1 million] was a little underfigured.”
Gossage doesn’t know about that, but he jokingly said Earnhardt isn’t worth $5 million .
Regardless, Gossage still is willing to talk.
“I’m serious,” he said. “I’m waiting on him to call me.”
David Newton covers NASCAR for ESPN.com. He can be reached at dnewtonespn@aol.com.
Gordon, Earnhardt reconcile differences from Talladega Speedway
May 6, 2008
RICHMOND, Va. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. admits his 71-race losing streak played a role in his decision not to help teammate Jeff Gordon in the final stages of last weekend’s Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway. Read more
