FWIW, I was in line with Booty Barker in Lowe's garden section about a month ago. I think I was the only one who recognized him, but I couldn't figure out anything to say to him. He really moves in that chair in the parking lot. Kinda cool living here and running into (sometimes literally, apologies to the #5 team, again) some of the famous faces in racing. I was side to side with KK at a stop light not long ago and at the memorial day race last year, I swear that was Jr. coming out of the Soggy Dollar car wash in a red Corvette.
My son stopped at a red light and Smoke pulled up next to him.
Bootie was asked about the penalties against Knauss and LeTarte being a deterrence. He said “He// yeah! I don’t have a hundred thousand dollars!” That was Friday before the race.
It must be fun living in that area.
Here’s some news on the sponsor front....
Mountain Dew front-runner for Earnhardt
Pepsi’s decision to pull its sponsorships of International Speedway Corp. racetracks was the first step in the company’s plans to sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr. when he drives at Hendrick Motorsports next year.
According to industry sources, Pepsi’s Mountain Dew soft drink now is the leader to sponsor Earnhardt Jr. next year.
ISC, which includes the Daytona International Speedway and half of the tracks on the Nextel Cup Series schedule, will have its deal with Pepsi phased out as contracts expire. Pepsi’s deal with Daytona includes Saturday night’s Pepsi 400, but that contract expires after the race.
Pepsi plans to re-direct the money it spends with racetracks to Earnhardt Jr.
Hendrick Motorsports is talking with several companies to sponsor Earnhardt Jr., the most popular driver in racing. Budweiser, Earnhardt Jr.’s current sponsor, is working to remain with him, but Pepsi’s Mountain Dew brand has become the clear front-runner.
DuPont currently has the most-expensive sponsorship deal in the sport at $20 million with Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports. Mountain Dew is expected to challenge, if not beat, that standard.
Kahne wants out
Kasey Kahne’s frustration at Evernham Motorsports has forced him to ask out of his contract, according to Fox Sports.
Kahne reportedly wants the freedom to negotiate with Dale Earnhardt Inc. to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008.
Dodge got a new front bumper this year, and so far it’s been a big challenge to figure out. Kahne has one top-10 finish this year and is 26th in the standings.
Didn’t skip a beat
When Tony Eury Jr. was suspended for six races for using an illegal bracket for the rear wing on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s car, the team was ranked 13th in the standings.
As Eury Jr. prepares to return for this Saturday night’s Pepsi 400, he comes back to a team that’s 12th in the rankings and would qualify to compete in the Chase for the Nextel Cup.
“Tony Eury Jr. has got his work cut out for him,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Seriously, man - Tony Gibson (interim crew chief), I ran great with him. (Eury Jr.) has been laying out for six weeks. He’s got to come in here and work hard. I expect a lot of him.”
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