NASCAR Nextel Cup: Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway - June 10, 2007 2:00 pm EDT - TNT

Nascar.com Jayski.com Thats Racin.com | June 5, 2007 | NYTexan

[steveegg]

Better for you to say it than me ;-)

[pnz1]

So they are trying to “sell” the idea to the Dale Sr. fans. When he refers to his grandfather, he is talking about his mother’s dad isn’t he?

[pnz1]

I suppose I didn’t really know his mother was such a presence in his life. I was under the impression she wasn’t really around for some reason?

[steveegg]

They’re trying, and judging from what WCG has been saying, they’re succeeding (I will not go further as I am not exactly a Jr fan, and I’m definitely not a Hendrick one).

[steveegg]

Fan and Bud question to Jr - “Fans will make up their own minds....” Dodges the sponsor question.

[Sue Perkick]

If Junior goes to Hendrick, I hope Bud stays at DEI with Shrub.

Never gonna happen.

[Lurking in Kansas]

Shrub is GONE after this year.

GOOD.

Number question (not) answered by Hendrick - it’s too early to talk team-car-sponsor alignment.

Hmmm ... I thought Budweiser was going with him... ?

[steveegg]

Q - What does this mean for JR Motorsports? - “He’ll help us with driver development and Busch races.” (most-likely equipment because the Hendrick development/Busch program is non-existant).

[steveegg]

Specific question on the #8 - “I’d like to be the number 8, but we’ll have to talk to Theresa.”

[pnz1]

I’d like to know how many of Jr.’s fan were Sr.’s fans and how that is going to go now that he’s at Hendrick.

[pnz1]

I can’t imagine Teresa will give up rights to the #8-Ralph Earnhardt’s number, to Rick Hendrick..

[Lurking in Kansas]

Specific question on the #8 - “I’d like to be the number 8, but we’ll have to talk to Theresa.”

I'm betting she won't let him have it out of spite.

[steveegg]

I’d like to know how many of Jr.’s fan were Sr.’s fans and how that is going to go now that he’s at Hendrick.

Couldn't answer that. WCG?

Jr said that he and Flash were good friends, and that JJ came to him for some advice on getting around Gateway when JJ first came into NASCAR and also buying a motorhome.

[pnz1]

I think she would be giving rights to it to Rick Hendrick. Is there a guarantee she could ever get it back?

[steveegg]

More detail - it’s a 5-year deal with Hendrick per Speed.

[af_vet_rr]

Better for you to say it than me ;-)

It had to be said - the man is a crook, regardless of the piece of paper Bill Clinton signed that pardoned him. It extends to his organization. Even though HMS has been caught cheating several times and have a reputation for it (especially Knauss and Jimmie Johnson), they have proven that it pays to cheat, regardless of the consequences. A lot/most teams cheat, but HMS took it to the next level and aren't shy about it. It's unfortunate that Jr is waltzing into this atmosphere, but he's a big boy and knows the kind of people he will be around.

[Lurking in Kansas]

I’d like to know how many of Jr.’s fan were Sr.’s fans and how that is going to go now that he’s at Hendrick.

IMO its about 50/50. His fans will follow (true fans), his Dad's fans won't.

[steveegg]

Numbers are officially NASCAR's to dole out; however, they usually honor prior owners' requests.

To Jr - Will any of your current crew come over? - We'll discuss that down the road.

[pnz1]

I am a little surprised they are having this press conference and don’t have a car # or sponsor to announce?

[steveegg]

I’ll tell you this; I doubt he would’ve lost that 100 driver’s points if he were with Hendrick this year.