Autoblog

Race Recap: 2013 Daytona 500 runs 200 laps, six of them count [spoilers]

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 22:40:00 EST

It's been a huge month, leading up to the Super Bowl of NASCAR, the Daytona 500. This is the first year of the new Car of Tomorrow, the "Gen Six" car, and all of the drivers have been trying to figure out its intricacies. The Ford Fusion and Chevrolet NASCAR SS has joined the field and its street-legal equivalent, the SS, was introduced. A huge wreck in the Nationwide Series race the day before the Daytona 500 tore a car in half, tore a hole in the fence, sent car parts flying into the crowd and injured some 33 spectators.

And then, of course, making just her 11th Sprint Cup Series start, there was Danica Patrick on pole position. She'd lead the way for the 43 cars on the grid to start the 200 laps of the 2.5-mile oval called the Daytona International Speedway, with its five-story-high turns banked at 31 degrees and the 3,000-foot front stretch banked at 18 degrees.

Perhaps all that excitement is why James Franco, the honorary race starter there to promote Disney's new film, Oz the Great and Powerful, yelled "Drivers, and Danica, start your engines!" to begin the 65th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship...

Continue reading Race Recap: 2013 Daytona 500 runs 200 laps, six of them count [spoilers]

Race Recap: 2013 Daytona 500 runs 200 laps, six of them count [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Feb 2013 22:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Red Bull infographic compares and contrasts NASCAR and F1

Chris Tutor — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Humor, Racing

In the US, Formula One racing lost the popularity contest to NASCAR a long time ago. But after five years, F1 returns to the States with this weekend's race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Red Bull, sponsor of F1 driver Sebastian Vettel, has put together an interesting set of numbers illustrating the differences between the two racing series.

To start with, Formula One has just 24 drivers, while NASCAR fields 50 entrants. Stock cars can reach speeds of about 200 miles per hour, just a bit slower than F1's 205. But NASCAR drivers experience only about 2Gs of lateral force during, at most courses, only four left-hand turns. F1 drivers endure 5Gs in multiple left-and right-hand turns.

The Daytona 500, NASCAR's best-attended venue, counted 182,000 fans this year. Formula One's biggest attendance is at the Australian Grand Prix where 298,000 fans came out to watch. Those fans helped finance F1's best-paid driver, Fernando Alonso. He makes $37 million a year. NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr. pulls in $28 million. That's an average of $1.85 million per race for Alonso, who only competes in 20 events. Earnhardt Jr., however, has 36 races to drive in and averages about $778,000 a race.

The infographic is fun, if a bit skewed against NASCAR, especially when considering Red Bull was a NASCAR driver sponsor until the end of the 2011 season. Sour grapes perhaps?

Check out the full graphic below.

Continue reading Red Bull infographic compares and contrasts NASCAR and F1

Red Bull infographic compares and contrasts NASCAR and F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dale Earnhardt Jr. concussion at Talladega puts him out two races [w/video]

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Safety

After suffering a concussion in the massive end-of-race 25-car pileup at Talladega last weekend, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will miss the next two races, and perhaps the rest of the NASCAR season. That crash marked Earnhardt's second concussion of the season; the first happened after a failed tire test in Kansas on August 29.

Earnhardt, who currently holds the 11th spot in NASCAR's Chase for the Cup, admits that he didn't report symptoms suffered after the first incident for fear that he would be removed from the championship hunt.

Said Earnhardt, "I remember everything about that accident, everything after that accident. But I knew I didn't feel ... you know your body and how your mind works. I knew something was just not quite right. I decided to push through and work through it." The driver said he was feeling "100 percent" before the race at Talladega.

The two-race setback, which will almost certainly eliminate him from championship contention, comes as a real blow to Earnhardt, who was having a bit of a comeback season. The driver broke a considerable 143-race winless streak this season. Sitting out the next two races will also snap a streak of 461 consecutive Sprint Cup starts for the No. 88 Mountain Dew Chevrolet driver.

Scroll down to watch a bit of analysis about Earnhardt's crash, concussion and prospects.

Continue reading Dale Earnhardt Jr. concussion at Talladega puts him out two races [w/video]

Dale Earnhardt Jr. concussion at Talladega puts him out two races [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Feds vote to continue military advertising in NASCAR

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 14:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Celebrities

Shortly after the Army National Guard halted sponsorship of Stewart-Haas Racing, which fields teams for Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to allow the military to continue using funds to advertise in sports, including NASCAR.

Reps. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., and Betty McCollum, D-Minn., sought to cut over $72 million from the defense budget in 2013, which would have ended sponsorship deals the military holds with NASCAR, IndyCar and National Hot Rod Association drag racing. The cuts would also have affected Ultimate Fighting Championship and bass fishing sponsorships.

Perhaps it's not surprising that major opposition to the plan came from representatives of North Carolina, Florida and Mississippi, hotbeds of NASCAR activity. In addition, a joint letter opposing the move was submitted by NASCAR, the IZOD IndyCar series, Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the National Basketball Association.

Ultimately, it appears that military advertisements at sporting events won't be going away in the foreseeable future.

Feds vote to continue military advertising in NASCAR originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gamers Take Note: Charlotte Motor Speedway installs world's largest HDTV [w/video]

Chris Shunk — Thu, 12 May 2011 09:34:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos, Toys/Games

World's largest HDTV screen - Click above to watch the video after the break

The immense LCD television that resides within the home stadium of the Dallas Cowboys is no longer the largest in the world. That honor now rests with the Charlotte Motor Speedway, which has installed a 200-foot-by-80-foot screen that would make even Miles Finch jealous.

The screen to end all screens, which makes its official debut during the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 21, is located between turns two and three across from the finish line. As if the live action wasn't big enough.

To make the massive display all the more impressive, it can also be hooked up to a gaming console for some ridiculous driving simulation action. Sprint Cup champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. even got to fit in some laps in the iRacing.com driving simulator... like he doesn't already get enough track time.

You may or may not think a 200-foot-wide screen is cool, but we're to busy cooking up schemes to elicit an invite for the next Gran Turismo 5 tournament at the Speedway. Check out the video after the break of the massive screen in action.

Continue reading Gamers Take Note: Charlotte Motor Speedway installs world's largest HDTV [w/video]

Gamers Take Note: Charlotte Motor Speedway installs world's largest HDTV [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPOILER ALERT: Lead changes galore mark 2010 Daytona 500

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Racing

2010 Daytona 500 - Click above for high-res image gallery

After three hours, 47 minutes and 16 seconds of racing that saw 52 lead changes among 21 different drivers over a record 520 miles of Daytona 500 racing, Jamie McMurray emerged the winner. McMurray, piloting the Ganassi-Earnhardt-Sabates Racing No. 1 Chevrolet, led only the final two laps of the race, which is a record low for a Daytona 500 winner.

It's unreal... It's just unbelievable. I can't explain it. To be where I was last year (unemployed and without a team) and to have Chip [Ganassi] and Felix [Sabates] take a chance on me... It means a lot to me and what a way to pay them back... It's just very emotional.

For those keeping track, this was the 33-year-old McMurray's fourth career Cup win, and he narrowly beat out Dale Earnhardt Jr by just .119 seconds after passing him for the lead on lap 206. The rest of the top five was rounded out by Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer and David Reutimann.

Click past the break for more action from this weekend's race at Daytona International Speedway.

Gallery: 2010 Daytona 500

[Images: Getty]

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Lead changes galore mark 2010 Daytona 500

SPOILER ALERT: Lead changes galore mark 2010 Daytona 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Danica Patrick to race NASCAR in 2010

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:22:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

More Danica Patrick news and this time, it's actually racing related. Last week came a report that Ms. Patrick had inked a multi-year deal with the recently restructured Andretti Autosport, putting to rest the rumors that the sometime-swimsuit model was headed to NASCAR. Well, Sporting News is now reporting that the gun might have been jumped on that conclusion. It seems that the GoDaddy pitchwoman is about to announce a deal to drive for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s NASCAR Nationwide Series team in 2010.

SN is reporting that Danica will run the full IndyCar calendar and a limited Nationwide schedule, with GoDaddy sponsoring her stock car. According to the GoDaddy website, the formal announcement will come at 1 PM ET Tuesday, December 8. We'll be sure to watch for that announcement and update as needed.

[Source: Sporting News | Image Source: Streeter Lecka/Getty]

Continue reading REPORT: Danica Patrick to race NASCAR in 2010

REPORT: Danica Patrick to race NASCAR in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

GM to make "NASCAR-wide" funding cuts

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 10:38:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Chevrolet

The scalpel of bankruptcy that is slicing off GM's sponsorship activities hasn't touched NASCAR's top tier Sprint Cup series, but the Nationwide and Camping World Truck series' have been trimmed. NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Kevin Harvick have teams running in the lower two series, and have been told by GM that they will lose funding.

Harvick runs three trucks in the Camping World Truck Series and hasn't commented on what GM's move will bring. Earnhardt, with the backing of Hendrick Motorsports, fields two cars in the Nationwide series and a team spokeswoman said "we are fully capable of adjusting our business model to this change" to continue racing.

For now, Chevrolet has no plans to pull out of NASCAR entirely and the Sprint Cup remains immune to the cost cutting. As the red carpet event, everybody knows the fans want to see Chevrolet doing the ovals, and we imagine there will be quite a few other painful measures taken before the Bowtie would bow out of oval racing.

[Source: AP via Google News]

GM to make "NASCAR-wide" funding cuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 10:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: NASCAR seen fretting over ratings drop

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

According to Nielsen, ratings for NASCAR on Fox are down by an alarming 11.5% so far this year, and while we're sure that many NASCAR haters will suggest that it's just not that interesting watching non-stock "stock cars" turning left over and over again as they circle oval tracks, race organizers and TV ratings researchers believe there's much more to the decline in viewership than that.

Certainly, the sorry state of affairs surrounding the world's sagging economy doesn't help matters any, and neither did the rain that forced an early end to the Daytona 500, the sport's pivotal first race of the season. Paul Brooks, president of NASCAR Media Group, also points a finger in the direction of Dale Earnhardt Jr, who's second season as part of Hendrick Motorsports isn't exactly going as hoped.

Regardless of its downward ratings trend in '09, it seems most experts on the subject predict the NASCAR brand will pull through over the long haul, although it will be interesting to see if/how the auto industry crisis affects the cash-intensive motorsports series. In the meantime, NASCAR and Fox are reportedly "looking at every angle" to boost viewership in the short term.

[Source: Sports Business Journal | Image: Roger Smith]

REPORT: NASCAR seen fretting over ratings drop originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 May 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

"Ya'll turn left now, ya hear?" - NASCAR-branded Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat-nav hits the market [w/VIDEO]

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Motorsports, Lifestyle

Follow the jump to hear Dale, Jr. giving you directions on the RightWay Spotter GPS

The Dale, Jr.-edition Spotter GPS has Junior gearing you up for the ride with "You drive, I'll ride shotgun." The portable device offers turn-by-turn directions and features Junior-isms like "Hang a right" and "Park it, we're here." The RightWay Spotter comes installed with 1.7 million points of interest, which includes a point-of-interest tour of Charlotte, North Carolina that can also lead you to some of Dale's favorite places. If that weren't enough, the GPS plays MP3s and videos, displays photos, and has an e-book reader, all for $299.

Admittedly, we were kinda hoping it would only instruct left turns, which, in the words of our tipster, might go something like this:

"Alright y'all are gonna go down here a ways, then turn left. Keep going then turn left. Merge over to the high side and and at the next corner turn left. Then make an immediate left. Continue down this stretch of road then y'all need to turn left...

Follow the jump to watch a video of the real Dale, Jr. telling you how it's done. Thanks for the tip, Derek!

[Source: Twice]

Continue reading "Ya'll turn left now, ya hear?" - NASCAR-branded Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat-nav hits the market [w/VIDEO]

"Ya'll turn left now, ya hear?" - NASCAR-branded Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat-nav hits the market [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEMA 2008: Camaro Accessories, Camaro Black, and Earnhardt, Jr. Camaro LIVE

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:32:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Tuners, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM

Click the image above for a high-res gallery of 2008 SEMA Camaro concepts

You read about them earlier, but GM pulled out every joker it had in the Camaro deck today. One of them was bathed in yellow and filled with a host of GM Accessories options, like contrasting side sills and front spoiler, the hockey stick stripe package, and 21-inch wheels in machined aluminum with black accents. One thing we realized when getting up close and personal is that the inside of the Camaro is as dark as a coffin. It might not be a bad idea to splurge for the interior lighting package if you want to see who's in the car with you.

The Dale Jr. Camaro is something old and something new, with a biofuel V8 that's been tweaked for a little more horsepower, and the monster is shifted with a Hurst short-throw. Outside, gray-over-white goes will all sorts of stripes and emblems, whereas inside the car is black with orange stitching and gets a nice set of white center console gauges. And that ducktail dovetail spoiler? Straight out of '69. The car should come with an 8-track of Bryan Adams' Greatest Hits, which probably wouldn't sound too bad on the Boston Acoustics system.

The Camaro Black Concept is the car this blogger equated to pure badass one year ago, after driving the Camaro Convertible Concept. The blacked-out gloss exterior offset by a matte hood go perfectly with the red halo rings around the headlights. Frankly, we'd lower it even more over the 21-inch wheels, but we wouldn't touch the black interior with red interior lighting. We didn't expect GM to put the 6-cylinder in it, but based on the sound it made rolling by, it's not a problem. The Camaro got its first star turn in Transformers, and if Hollywood ever decides to remake The Car, this one is the star. Until then, you can check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Camaro Concepts LIVE

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Camaro Accessories, Camaro Black, and Earnhardt, Jr. Camaro LIVE

SEMA 2008: Camaro Accessories, Camaro Black, and Earnhardt, Jr. Camaro LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Put your name on Dale Jr.'s race car

Drew Phillips — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

It would take quite a sum of money to put your name on the side of a race car, but AMP Energy drink is providing an opportunity for NASCAR fans to do just that with Dale Jr.'s #88 car. The first 65,000 people to sign up at AMP Energy's web site will have their name appear on the car for that AMP Energy 500 at Talledega Superspeedway. If you don't sign up in time, the next 35,000 names will appear on the pit will banner, and registered names to appear after that will appear on the race car cover or on AMP Energy signage posted throughout the race track. We'd guess the names will be pretty small, so don't expect to see your name on TV any time soon. The last day to register is July 1.

Put your name on Dale Jr.'s race car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins in Michigan, ends 76-race losing streak

John Neff — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the darling of NASCAR, but the motorsport's most popular driver was completely winless for the last 76 races until this past weekend when the Intimidator's son won the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Junior won the race in an odd way, literally coasting across the finish line on an empty tank of gas under a caution flag after Patrick Carpenter spun out on lap 203. The race had been extended to overtime after Sam Hornish Jr. spun on Lap 200, and had it not been for the caution Carpenter created three laps later, Junior would likely would've ran out of gas before the finish. Rather than do burnouts afterwards on the track, Earnhardt's #88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy had to be pushed to Victory Ciricle. The win not only ended Junior's drought, but also gave his new employer, Rick Hendrick, his second win of the season. Many thought this might be Junior's year after he handily won the Bud Shootout ahead of the Daytona 500. That was his first race as a member of Hendrick Motorsports and didn't count for points, but the rest of the season has not gone his way until this past weekend.

[Source: NASCAR]

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins in Michigan, ends 76-race losing streak originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

U.S. Navy wants you... to join the Dale Jr. Division

Alex Nunez — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Military

Click image to enlarge

The U.S. Navy and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are partnering on a national recruiting program that'll officially kick off when Junior pilots the above #83 car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on May 24. On that very same day, prospective sailors will also be able to visit their local recruiting stations and sign up to be a part of the new "Dale Jr. Division" being formed at the Navy's Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL. We are not making any of this up.

This new boot camp division is limited to 88 slots, a nod to the number worn by Dale Jr.'s NASCAR Sprint Cup ride. The Navy will support the new recruiting effort with a full media offensive, and Earnhardt Jr. will be on hand to christen his namesake division when its recruits report in August. Junior will also make a return trip to visit the group when it completes the basic training course. We eagerly await the logical next step in this high-profile partnership with Dale Jr. -- a Navy announcement that funding for a high-banked oval at Great Lakes has been approved.

[Source: Navy NewsStand]

U.S. Navy wants you... to join the Dale Jr. Division originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Daytona 500: Jimmie Johnson wins pole, Earnhardt Jr. takes Bud Shootout

John Neff — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Regardless of whether or not you're a NASCAR fan, there's no denying that the motorsport is starting off its 2008 season in the best possible way. Early festivities for the season opener Daytona 500 began this past weekend and resulted in Jimmie Johnson, last season's champion, taking the pole position. Next to him on the grid will be a somewhat redeemed Michael Waltrip, who was embroiled in a scandal at last year's Daytona 500 that resulted in the largest ever fine handed down from NASCAR at the time.

That would probably be enough for a great kick off to the season, but the newly minted NASCAR Sprint Cup is swimming in merchandise sales after Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Bud Shootout on Saturday in his first race as a member of Hendrick Motorsports. Driving his new No. 88 Chevy, Earnhardt Jr. came out swinging in this exhibition that nets no points for the winner, but is a good omen for winning the 500 next weekend.

[Source: ESPN, Photo by John Harrelson/Getty]

Daytona 500: Jimmie Johnson wins pole, Earnhardt Jr. takes Bud Shootout originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. + Creamy Caramel = Big Mo'

John Neff — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:41:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Lifestyle

When NASCAR gets together with the food industry, the results can be very interesting. Take NASCAR-branded meat, for instance. While branded beef might be best for tailgating, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s new candy bar called the Big Mo' is described as best when accompanied by "playing pool and just kicking back and having a good time like you always do." We're usually smoking and drinking when shooting pool rather than eating candy bars, but to each his own. Junior fans who've always wanted a taste of the NASCAR celebrity will soon be able to sink their teeth into this milk chocolate bar filled with either caramel or peanut butter. Junior himself was involved with the Big Mo's development, and by involved we mean he ate a lot of prototypes to get the taste just right. The big bar of NASCAR deliciousness is being produced by R.M. Palmer Company, a veritable no-name in the candy bar business that hopes to give Hershey and Mars a run for their money with its celebrity-backed candy bar. Hardcore Junior fans take note: there's a sweepstakes being held to promote the Big Mo's debut, the grand prize for which is a "Weekend at the Race" prize package that includes lunch with the driver himself. You have to buy a Big Mo' to enter, though. Good luck finding where they're sold.

Thanks for the tip, Chris!

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. + Creamy Caramel = Big Mo' originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Earnhardt Jr. will do the Dew in No. 88 next year

John Neff — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:55:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Those wondering what Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be driving next year when he begins a five-year contract with Hendrick Motorsports have an answer. Earnhardt Jr. will leave his famous No. 8 car sponsored by Budweiser behind and pick up the No. 88 next season. His main sponsor will now be Mountain Dew, along with Amp Energy drink and the National Guard, while Budweiser will be jumping ship to sponsor Kasey Kahne's car for Evernham Motorsports.

Though many wanted to see Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 8 follow him to Hendrick Motorsports, DEI owner Teresa Earnhardt, also Earnhardt Jr.'s step-mom, wouldn't give it up. The No. 88 has historical significance for the Earnhardt family too, though, as Jr.'s grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt, drove the No. 88 Oldsmobile back in 1957. The No. 88 was donated to Earnhardt Jr. in a selfless act by Robert Yates Racing, who asked NASCAR to transfer the retired number to Earnhardt Jr.'s new ride to keep the legacy alive.

[Source: blogs.courant.com]

Earnhardt Jr. will do the Dew in No. 88 next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dale Earnhardt Jr. signs 5-year contract with Hendrick Motorsports

John Neff — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:07:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Dale Earnhardt Jr. became the most coveted free agent in sports when he announced last month his departure from Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Today Junior announced at a press conference that he has signed a 5-year deal with Hendrick Motorsports, the current team to beat in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series with 10 wins in the last 14 races. Hendrick, however, was very fortunate that one of its four current drivers, Kyle Busch, asked to be released from his contract with the team, which opened up a spot to sign Junior. The young Earnhardt will get his wish to continue driving Chevys, though his sponsorship, paint scheme and number are yet to be determined.

Follow the link to SpeedTV for a full report on Junior's move, and check out our gallery of the press conference below

[Source: SpeedTV, Photos - Grant Halverson/Getty]

Gallery: Dale Earnhardt Jr. joins Hendrick Motorsports

Dale Earnhardt Jr. signs 5-year contract with Hendrick Motorsports originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dale Jr. smacks loaner into Talladega wall

Scott Davis — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM

It's common for a car dealer to let someone take a new car out for a ride around the block, but this 2006 Monte Carlo went for a ride around an oval shaped 2.66 mile high-banked block with no posted speed limit.

When it finally come back, it was thoroughly customized. In fact, it looked strangely like the street version of a NASCAR Nextel Cup car after a race at the nearby Talledega Superspeedway. The car was covered with dirt and bugs, had a smashed right-side mirror and a scrape along the right rear fender, not to mention a couple hundred miles on the odometer.

"When I found out what happened, I called the guy I loaned it to," said Philip Alderman, the owner of Colonial Chevrolet-Buick in Talladega.

That call confirmed what he had heard. Rick Humphries, general manager of the Talladega Superspeedway, had borrowed the car for the day. Before becoming aligned with Ford, it was not uncommon for Colonial Chevrolet to routinely lend cars to track officials. When Dale Earnhardt Jr realized that he might have to drive a Ford around the track as a part of the ride and drive to show the new track surface, he wasn't enthused and went looking for a Chevy. The Monte Carlo was the obvious choice. Earnhardt grabbed they keys and promptly began taking folks around the track, often reaching speeds of over 130 miles per hour. All was going well until Jr. got a little high and "scraped" the wall, turning the brand new Monte Carlo into an instant collector's item.

For his part, Alderman doesn't seem particularly unhappy about the incident. In fact, the Dale Jr.-enhanced Monte is now the star of his showroom.

"We didn't even wash it," Alderman said. "We're willing to sell it, as is. Rick had Dale sign the dashboard and the sticker, and we laminated all the articles and pictures of the trips Dale took in the car around the speedway.

Loaning the Monte Carlo to track official: $0

Making repairs to the Monte Carlo upon return: $125

Having Dale Earnhardt Jr scrape the wall at Talladega with the Monte Carlo at 130 mph, autograph the sticker and the dahboard, generate untold dollars in media coverage for the dealership and NOT repair it: Priceless.

[Source: The Birmingham News]

Dale Jr. smacks loaner into Talladega wall originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Dec 2006 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Intimidator returns to Talladega

John Neff — Tue, 02 May 2006 11:22:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Not all of us here at Autoblog are huge NASCAR fans, but we all appreciate and respect Dale Earnhardt, whose death in 2001 was the result of a wreck during the Daytona 500. The Intimidator was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame this past weekend, with Sunday marking what would've been his 55th birthday.

Perhaps the most touching tribute was made-- or driven, by Dale Earnhardt Jr. who drove this black-painted replica of his father's famous No. 3 car in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega. Though the Chevrolet still sported Jr.'s own No. 8, the resemblance was remarkable, and no doubt sparked nostalgia for those racers who were lucky enough to trade paint with Earnhardt.

Unfortunately, the paint job didn't help Junior take the checkered flag - his engine failed with about 37 laps to go.

[Source: NASCAR.com]

Intimidator returns to Talladega originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 May 2006 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments