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Even without wins, Dale Jr. in title contention
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"All you have to do is look at the numbers," Kenseth said. "The wins (before the Chase format) at that time didn't matter. Now they're trying to give more reward for winning races. But (Tony) Stewart still won the title and he didn't win any races in the Chase, so I think it can be done."
Earnhardt is currently third in the point standings, 79 markers behind leader Jeff Burton, and tops the charts with seven top 10 finishes entering this weekend. Yes, it's been 71 races since Earnhardt won, but it happened here at on the .75-miler where he was victorious in just his second NASCAR Sprint Cup start.
Earnhardt has amassed three wins, seven top fives and nine top 10s in 17 Richmond starts and an average finish of 11.3.
"We've had some great success there," Earnhardt said after Talladega last weekend. "With (crew chief Eury) Tony Jr.'s help and the Hendrick cars and motors, we're going to run good again. I don't think there's a race on the circuit where we shouldn't show up and run like we've been running every week. There really isn't. We'll just have to keep trying and get that win."
Earnhardt topped the speed charts on Friday during practice with a lap of 122.388 mph. Coming into this race last year, Earnhardt was 13th in points. Certainly, his consistent performance this season can be attributed to the Hendrick advantage
"I think this is something to be really proud of," Earnhardt said. "If you look at my career over the last several years we are definitely in a better position. It would be foolish of us not to appreciate the good things that we have going for us. You get so frustrated you lose sight of how you're running good and why you're running good. The wins will come. I know. I want them to. And we're going to have to keep talking about it until we get one."
Crew chief Eury Jr. doesn't feel comfortable making predictions, but given the confidence his driver has right now, he wouldn't bet against him.
"This is one of his favorite tracks — it's always been and we've got a good car," Eury Jr. said. "Eventually you have to win. We've been close, but in the end you have to win races. That's the only way you're going to win the championship.
"That's what Jimmie Johnson did last year in the Chase. He won when it counts. We're running good now and I've always known Dale could win."
On Friday, Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage gave Earnhardt an additional opportunity to display his talent. Gossage put up an offer of $100,000 for Earnhardt if he would race in the Bombardier Learjet 550k at TMS on June 7. But Earnhardt said it would take a lot more to get him behind the wheel of an IndyCar.
"He thinks I'm a cheap date, I guess," Earnhardt said. "I wouldn't be able to do it — my conscience wouldn't let me. If they offered me more money, my conscience wouldn't let me. I know his intentions are well. We had that discussion with the billboard thing, and I totally understand what his approach is to advertising now. If I was there testing my car, and somebody had their (IndyCar) there, I'd like to jump in and run a couple of laps, but that would be the extent of the adventure."
Member Comments
Kyle give everyone fair warning Friday night when he said I don't care how many cars I have to wreck. I agree Kyle may not be much of a man but he is a heck of a race car driver. He beat Jr. and is the points leader.<br />Go Kyle!
1buschman15/6/2008 9:06:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Saturday night was just the opportunity that Kyle has been waitng for and Denny being his good buddy handed it to him on a silver platter when misfortune struck him.
MJRjrfan5/5/2008 10:27:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Yes, farmertan winning is the whole point of the race but not winning at any cost.<br />That continual wreckless racing by Kyle is going to come with a price tag one of these days and not one I would like to see even him have to pay!
MJRjrfan5/5/2008 10:10:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Why is everyone bitching about busch saying winning is everything? isnt that the point of racing to win, but i guess when your a jr fan you will take anything because it has been over 2 years since he has won and a top 10 is so much better than a win. screw third in points once the chase comes he will be in 12th becaue he will have NO WINS
farmertan175/5/2008 6:37:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA. Anything with Fail Jr. and championship is an oxy moron. If it wasn't for the **** chase, he'd never even come close.
GordonHatersAreMorons5/5/2008 6:01:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I could not believe my eyes on Saturday night. That is not until I saw who wrecked Jr. Kyle said it himself. Winning is everything. And he doesn't care who he takes out. How long is Nascar going to let him do whatever he wants to whoever he wants before they do something with him? Are they going to wait until he kills someone before they decide to do something with him. I think maybe the drivers should get together an have a chat with him. Or maybe someone who in not in contention to win could put him in the wall. I bet they would get a fine for rough driving. Theres nothing wrong with good hard racing, but lets not be dirty in the process.<br /><br />In response to all of you who just don't get what I'm saying. Sure I am a Jr fan and I really wanted him to win, but I would have been writing this no matter who Kyle decided he wanted to wreck. Too bad Steven Wallace didn't teach him a lesson.
dalejralways5/5/2008 5:51:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
jr nation shut up, you think it is some big conspirasy that nascar didnt throw the caution to let busch catch up to jr is bull ****. if jr had the faster car and was pulling away im surprised they even threw a caution becasue you know jr needs all the help he can get to win a race.
farmertan175/5/2008 5:09:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Mark Martin had a perfect chance to use the 18 like bumper pool but has about 50 times the class Bush has.. I take that back. Bush has NONE. Someone will bend that sickly looking little worm up like a pipe cleaner one of these days.. LOL
85mustang5/4/2008 20:47:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
With all the talk of how Kyle Bush has "more car control than anybody on the track he sure used lost it on that lap didnt he? He used Jr's car like a cushion on a billiard shot. Kyle's been playing Nascar on playstation too much cause thats just how you run in the corner on a short track in the game and just plant the guy in the wall and keep on moving.
85mustang5/4/2008 20:45:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Hamlin has a tire going down, D.W. and Larry Mac are making comments like "when is he going to pit? he has to pit doesnt he? my gosh! that tire is rolling all the way over on the sidewall in the corners...! Low tire pressure is the NUMBER 1 cause of tire blowout in street cars going 60mph. Why didnt Nascar make Hamlin come in instead of letting him stay out and endanger the whole field?? Because they wanted a caution to help rat face Kyle Bush get on the rear bumper of Jr. for an exciting single file "shootout" restart.. Jr. was pulling away and Nascar was perfectly willing to let Hamlin keep running till the wheels fell off to get that single file restart.
85mustang5/4/2008 20:19:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Whiners - Put the blame where it belongs - on Denny Hamlin
RACEDOCTOR5/4/2008 8:57:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Kyle Bush is a little !@#$%. When is Nascar going to realize just how dangerous he is on the track. Watch the vidieo of his most recent accident (TAKING OUT DALE JR!!!!!) you can see him turning his wheels into JR's car!!!!! Maybe Nascar should make the little !@##$% sit out for a few races! He has already commented that he does not care who he takes out! That's not racing, that's being a little P*&^%$#. He is getting way to cocky for his own good. He has even taken out his brother!<br />And by the way DW, are you blind or just stupid! That was not just a racing accident, that was on purpose! Anyone could see that.<br />By the way, YES, I AM A JR FAN!
diablo34775/3/2008 22:11:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I'm going to bed all (((HUGS))) HAGN, TTYL.....<br /><br />(Lefty) no I didn't look in my e-mail today!!!!
annefanne20015/3/2008 22:05:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I gotta scoot. Hey Anne - did you get my email reply?
leftturns1905/3/2008 21:59:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I thought it was pretty harsh....<br /> I hope nascar likes being a fricken laughing stock as Kyle just made them look like hiney's by his comments last night and his actions tonight
annefanne20015/3/2008 21:55:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
There was more than two laps left at the time, but I don't know what actually happened to him, I just know they said he'd be held for two laps.<br /><br />Waltrip shouldn't have been penalized that much. That was a little much.
leftturns1905/3/2008 21:53:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Hi anne, lefty. pioneer, get your b utt back here!
5/3/2008 21:46:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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