Fonzie Posted July 3, 2010 Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 But pretty damn cool what Jr. did last night in his dad's old Wrangler car He's 2 for 3 in the #3, but says this is the last time he's gonna run itWith win, Dale Earnhardt Jr. closes the circle on No. 3, Daytona By Jay Busbee Follow Yahoo! Sports' From The Marbles on Facebook and Twitter.Sometimes, everything works out exactly how it's supposed to.On a Friday night in Daytona, Dale Earnhardt Jr. closed a circle that had been left open for more than nine years. With half a dozen of NASCAR's best drivers right behind him, with his father's classic Wrangler paint scheme and number 3 on his car, he wheeled past the spot where his father died in a last-lap crash and ran the 3 to victory lane in Daytona once again.No driver in NASCAR faces a tenth of the pressure of Dale Earnhardt Jr. He carries the name of the most famous man in the sport, a man whose reputation looms like a colossus above everything Junior does. On an average week, Junior faces perpetual reminders of his late father -- and, it must be said, how his own career doesn't measure up.So you have to tip your cap to the man for taking on the enormous challenge of racing with the Intimidator's own number. Earnhardt wasn't just shouldering the pressure, he was embracing it, understanding exactly what the Intimidator's still-countless legion of fans was expecting out of him. "Anything less than a win was pointless," he said. "Did we even honor him by bringing it out and finishing fifth?''The conspiracy theorists will howl; they always do. After all, it's nine years almost to the day when Junior won at Daytona in the very first Cup-level race run there after Earnhardt Sr.'s death. A #3 victory would be a perfect storyline, wouldn't it? Almost too perfect.Thing is, the facts don't support a conspiracy theory. NASCAR threw a late caution that re-set the field. Junior still had to go through a late restart; there was no guarantee that Kevin Harvick, running right alongside him, or Joey Logano, running right behind him, wouldn't get a better restart. Could Harvick and Logano, among others, have lain down for Junior? Perhaps, perhaps not. Logano noted that beating Junior on this night would have instantly rocketed him to the top of NASCAR's Most Unpopular Driver list, but added, "it's Daytona, and there's nothing cooler than winning at this track.''Junior, a keen student of NASCAR history and his place in the sport, knew full well how much this meant to Earnhardt Nation, and he made sure to note how important this evening was to him, as well. "Daytona is a special thing to me, because of my father dying here," he said. "I'm totally a part of this place for the rest of my life.''He also took a bit of the gravity out of the evening by explaining why he'd started running well again: "I drink beer every Monday and I grew my beard back, and those two things seem to be helping me," he said. "Those two things deserve the most credit.'' On a more serious note, Junior was adamant that he would never run the 3 again, and that's for the best. The 3 belongs to history now, and that's where it should stay for many, many years to come. In the end, though, it was Tony Eury Jr. -- poor, beleaguered Eury, who'd been mocked as the cause of so many of Earnhardt Jr.'s problems -- who put it all in perfect perspective. On television just moments after the win, he said, "We lost everything here. To come back with that number and do this, it means everything." He broke down and couldn't say more. He didn't need to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madcat6183 Posted July 3, 2010 Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 Sorry, the conspiracy sticks. Jr. is the worst driver on the track, other than Danica of course when she goes out and basically just wrecks everyone and herself. Oh Nascrap, Napcar, whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevysoldier Posted July 3, 2010 Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 Left turn left turn left turn left turn and repeat...sorry, I just can't watch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
that dude Posted July 3, 2010 Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 Lol you guys think it's so easy? Asshats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevysoldier Posted July 3, 2010 Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 Didn;t say it was easy, just booooooooooooring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disclaimer Posted July 3, 2010 Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 Didn;t say it was easy, just booooooooooooring.Kinda like sleeping with your wife.Ziiiing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psyco1 Posted July 3, 2010 Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 But pretty damn cool what Jr. did last night in his dad's old Wrangler car I was hoping you were gonna say hit the wall & died. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted July 3, 2010 Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 I thought all the same things about left turn only. Then I went to Columbus Motor Speedway and watched some races. Really really cool stuff...It's better live, and at a small track. And maybe even better with local drivers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disclaimer Posted July 3, 2010 Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 It's better live, and at a small track. And maybe even better with local drivers...^--- This. But I still wouldn't make it a habit. I used to go to Mansfield when the Nascar truck series was in town and I had free tickets. It was an alright time to spend ONE day a year watching it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackgsxr1000 Posted July 3, 2010 Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 Kinda like sleeping with your wife.Ziiiing! Ouch Supe!r burn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kawi kid Posted July 3, 2010 Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 I was hoping you were gonna say hit the wall & died. thats a little far............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonzie Posted July 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 thats a little far............Agreed Bry.... But then, I do drink the "kool aid" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kawi kid Posted July 3, 2010 Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 dont we all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAMBUSA Posted July 3, 2010 Report Share Posted July 3, 2010 thats a little far............+1 Fuckin dick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonzie Posted July 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2010 +1 Fuckin dickDon't talk to Brian that way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artmageddon Posted July 4, 2010 Report Share Posted July 4, 2010 Dude, I was riding by the speedway Friday night as this was getting started. I don't like nascar, but I bet going to a race would be fun. The track itself is pretty impressive, and it just looked interesting without the race. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevysoldier Posted July 4, 2010 Report Share Posted July 4, 2010 Kinda like sleeping with your wife.Ziiiing! Wait until she gets on here and reads that. Just ask 1000rr. I thought all the same things about left turn only. Then I went to Columbus Motor Speedway and watched some races. Really really cool stuff...It's better live, and at a small track. And maybe even better with local drivers...That is probably true. I was able to see time trials at the brickyard once. It was okay, just don't think I could sit there for 4 hours or whatever. I like the formula one on the road course (I think that what it's called.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottb Posted July 4, 2010 Report Share Posted July 4, 2010 Art, if you are still near Daytona, gotta check out Ken's Winghouse for a place to eat. Ken's is right near the speedway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAMBUSA Posted July 4, 2010 Report Share Posted July 4, 2010 Wait until she gets on here and reads that. Just ask 1000rr. That is probably true. I was able to see time trials at the brickyard once. It was okay, just don't think I could sit there for 4 hours or whatever. I like the formula one on the road course (I think that what it's called.) NASCAR races RoadAmerica. I used to have tickets to the Brickyard race. It's a blast but the bigger tracks are better on TV. The smaller tracks are sweet cuz you can see the entire track. I prefer the dirt track races over asphalt though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kawi kid Posted July 4, 2010 Report Share Posted July 4, 2010 +1 Fuckin dickDon't talk to Brian that way what he said NASCAR races RoadAmerica. I used to have tickets to the Brickyard race. It's a blast but the bigger tracks are better on TV. The smaller tracks are sweet cuz you can see the entire track. I prefer the dirt track races over asphalt thoughget your tickets back and we can go to the night race together!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted July 4, 2010 Report Share Posted July 4, 2010 Dude, I was riding by the speedway Friday night as this was getting started. I don't like nascar, but I bet going to a race would be fun. The track itself is pretty impressive, and it just looked interesting without the race.I've walked on that track. It's so freakin' steep in the banking, you can't stand up. And Bristol is even more of a banking angle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Punk Posted July 4, 2010 Report Share Posted July 4, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kawi kid Posted July 4, 2010 Report Share Posted July 4, 2010 I've walked on that track. It's so freakin' steep in the banking, you can't stand up. And Bristol is even more of a banking angle.at bristol i watched one of the tv anchors biff it and slide down the banking to bad he wasnt on live at that point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonzie Posted July 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2010 I see what you're tryin' to do there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiggO Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 Sorry, the conspiracy sticks. Jr. is the worst driver on the track, other than Danica of course when she goes out and basically just wrecks everyone and herself. Agree! But you also left out Robby Gordon, who is Danica's mentor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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