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Drama as NASCAR Defends Allegations Made by Dale Earnhardt Jr
Drama as NASCAR Defends Allegations Made by Dale Earnhardt Jr
Dale Earnhardt Jr stirred up a storm as his latest release hit streams worldwide. This time, NASCAR’s most popular racing legend has some demands to make directed straight toward the sport’s sanctioning body. The man of many talents is asking for an increase in practice session timing, the hottest topic of debate this week.
And out came senior officials like Elton Sawyer, NASCAR SVP of Competitions, to address his demands, and that too on Junior’s spin-off podcast on the Dirty Mo Media Network, “DJD: Reloaded.” Sawyer wanted to fan no flames, instead, he had an impressive counter for the speculations, one that even the fans would probably agree with.
A senior NASCAR official responds to Dale Jr’s comments
From fans to Kyle Larson, many have differing opinions over the shortened practice timespans post-COVID-19. But Dale Jr, an extremely valued stakeholder in the sport, made an interestingly particular comment on his podcast when he said, “I know that an executive can sit down with me and say, ‘Here it is, right here: numbers. We are saving money.’ But I know what he’s not telling me is that if I turned practice on. If it was a switch, and I turned it back on. He’d find a way to find that damn money to go practice and he will save up somewhere else.”
Speaking with an owner’s lens, managing varying “costs” in the Xfinity Series, Junior also added, “If things got tighter we (JR Motorsports) would find a way to make it work.” Andrew Kurland and Carla Gebhart, hosts of DJD: Reloaded, brought up exactly this prior sentiment from their Dirty Mo Media Network colleague, Sawyer. But what did the Senior VP of Competitions have to think?
“Great point. I mean, he wears and has worn all the different hats. He’s been a driver, and he’s now a very successful car owner. He’s also worked on the media side with his broadcast, and what we’re doing here with Dirty Mo Media.” Agreeing “hundred percent” with Junior’s feelings, Mr. Sawyer also states, “If there’s a dollar laying there, then teams are gonna figure out a way to spend it.” However, Elton Sawyer had a very well-informed and analytical counter for Dale Jr and the diehards to speculate through the weekend, waiting on the GEICO 500 on Sunday.
In declarative rhetoric, he added, “But my counter to that would be, are we 100% sure that when we go down this path because it will increase costs, It will do that, and they are gonna find the money somewhere, I totally agree… But will it increase the value by adding that content?”
The primary question seems to be: “Will it increase the value of our product?” Sawyer then continues to announce emphatically that “if it does,” NASCAR is “going to figure out a way to make it happen. As we did when we were shut down because of COVID.“ But a big reason for these discussions to resurface has been the Cup Series champion of the outbreak year, 6X MPD-one Chase Elliott.
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H. Marko lashes out at Steiner: Defend Mick Schumacher
Helmut Marko believes Mick Schumacher deserves a return to Formula 1, naming two teams he thinks would consider the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. The 81-year-old Austrian lashes out at Guenther Steiner, who sacked the German at Haas F1 just under two years ago.
“Mick is one of the politest and nicest people in the whole paddock, which is a disadvantage for him. He also has the handicap of a big name,” Marko said in an interview with Sport1.de. “In sporting terms, he has already achieved a lot. He won the Formula 3 championship, he won the Formula 2 championship, that alone made him interesting for Formula 1 teams.”
Schumacher made his Formula 1 debut at Haas F1 in 2021. There, he lasted two seasons. After a disappointing season in 2022, Guenther Steiner showed him the door and they opted for more experience with Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.
Marko: ‘Netflix superstar’ Steiner treated Schumacher unfairly
“As far as we were concerned, there were no sporting reasons why we never got together,” Red Bull Racing’s team advisor explained. “He was a Ferrari junior at the time, but Mercedes took him into the team [afterwards]. So he wasn’t even on the market.”
“At Haas, he was not treated fairly by Netflix superstar Guenther Steiner. That’s a fact. Once you drive outside Formula 1, it becomes a difficult story. But behind the scenes, you only hear good things about him. Toto Wolff praises him to the skies. I think Alpine and Audi are seriously considering him. I wouldn’t begrudge him, because he deserves it,” Marko said.
Verstappen and Hamilton CRASH as FIA take action in Hungary
Max Verstappen was involved in a dramatic collision with Lewis Hamilton for P3 at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman attempted an overtake on his rival into Turn 1, going though the inside but locking up as Hamilton’s front right collided with Verstappen’s rear left.
In dramatic fashion the Red Bull was launched into the air, and was lucky to remain in the race, falling behind the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen has been placed under investigation by the stewards, with the FIA calling a 4.50pm UK time summons, where the sport’s governing body confirmed their findings.
F1 RECAP: Piastri claims STUNNING maiden victory as FIA announce Verstappen penalty verdict
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton crash in Hungary
A nightmare Hungarian GP for Max Verstappen
It was a difficult race for the champion who went wide on the opening lap, and was forced to give the position back to Lando Norris after claiming P2.
The Red Bull star accused the Brit of running him wide, and continued to deliver a series of furious radio messages to his team during the grand prix.
Verstappen’s frustrations came to the fore as he attempted to overtake Hamilton, with the pair lucky to not be embroiled in more devastating contact.
In the end Hamilton claimed P3 and a podium in Hungary, with Verstappen languishing back in fifth.
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“It’s going to be emotional for me” – Chase Briscoe on honoring Tony Stewart’s legacy
Chase Briscoe, in a recent media session, shared his emotions about racing on the oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Briscoe will be driving the No. 14 car, a number famously associated with his current team owner, Tony Stewart.
Stewart won several races and the 2011 championship with this car. He also co-owns NASCAR team Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), which will be shutting down after this season.
NASCAR first raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in 1994, which was the first race there besides the Indianapolis 500 in 1916. Since then, many different racing series have raced at IMS. As the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Brickyard 400 after three years off, Chase Briscoe, who grew up in Mitchell, Indiana, faces an emotional weekend.
“It’s going to be emotional for me, I mean full transparency I cry every year just on the ride around deal so with it being on the oval and doing it in the 14 all that it’s going to be definitely, probably emotional,” said Briscoe.
“It’s really special to be back here at home in Indiana. Every race car driver dreams of racing at Indianapolis, but for me, it’s even more special because I grew up here,” he added.
Chase Briscoe eyes playoff spot and #14 legacy
A win this weekend will help Chase Briscoe secure a spot in the 2024 Cup playoffs. It would also be a fitting end to SHR’s legacy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Briscoe has raced at the Brickyard before, twice in the Xfinity Series and won on the road course layout in 2020.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever get a chance to race on the oval. So being able to do it this year means a lot to me,” Briscoe stated.
The #14 car has a special place in NASCAR history. After Stewart retired in 2016, Clint Bowyer took over and won two races in 2018. Chase Briscoe then drove the #14 in 2021 and earned his first win in 2022. Other notable racers like Fonty Flock, Hershel McGriff, and A.J. Foyt, also drove this famed car.
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