More on Sadler wanting out.

General Lee 01 · May 25, 2002

From Jayski's:

More on Sadler-Wood Bros, Sadler to the #1?: Expect hard feelings until Elliott Sadler and the [#21 Motorcraft Ford] Wood brothers settle their dispute over his efforts to quit ASAP. They won't come to an agreement before Sunday night's Coca-Cola 600, but Sadler would love to get it done next week. He wants to pursue a ride with Dale Earnhardt Inc. That may come early next month, when Steve Park likely will be released. When it happens, look for Sadler to go even though the Wood brothers don't want a mid-season change.

May 26, 2002

I hope that's not true.

I don't think Saddler has what it takes to drive WC cars.

DEI would not be gaining a thing by hiring him over Park.

Elwood · May 26, 2002

I don't really like Sadler. I hope it's not true.

I know Kenny has a few rides scheduled this year for WC, but wouldn't it just make more sense to have him drive the #1 car IF they let Park go, since he's under contrct anyway?

I'm sure they could easily work around the situation with the other races he has scheduled with Innovative Motorsports, since it is in conjunction with DEI anyway.

General Lee 01 · May 27, 2002

I disagree Dan, he won the Bristol race, which is more than that can be said for others.

I have somewhat of a connection with Elliott Sadler, so I am kinda biased when it comes to him.

Don't get me wrong, nothing against Park, but given the choice between the two I'll take Sadler.

Elwood · May 27, 2002

I'll take Park. Only reason Sadler won the Bristol race is because his crew cheif made the right call and he got good gas mileage.

General Lee 01 · May 27, 2002

Well, IMO, that's how most of them win. But I don't want to argue.

Actually I kind of hope it isn't true either.

If it does turn out that way, Sadler will probably be the most un-popular driver with the fans, and I don't want that.

I will say this though, No matter who takes the #1 car. If Park does get fired, then Dale Earnhardt will be turning in his grave.

SilveradoWV · May 28, 2002

I will say this though, No matter who takes the #1 car. If Park does get fired, then Dale Earnhardt will be turning in his grave.

I dont think so, I really dont think DEI would have went on and on with the same drivers if they werent doing a good job! And sometimes good things come out of change, drivers seem to get into a slump sometimes. You know park has been hearing all these rumors and he still isnt racing to well!!! He hasnt even been in the car very much it seems like to me, I am not sure if he has ran a full season because everyone has had a ride in his car, DW, Kenny and probably some more I am leaving out. And whenever these subs get in his car they do pretty well, DW was awesome in parks car and Kenny wasnt so bad, both better than Park is doing!! I also dont want to start an argument but maybe I just see these things differently.

May 28, 2002

I agree that Steve Park isn't doing the job, I just don't think Saddler has it either.

I also think that Park is running a little scared. Who can blame him, he almost got killed in that car not once, but twice! That has to change your outlook a little.

Elwood · May 28, 2002

Well, my opinion on Sadler and his victory are a little biased and probably harsher than maybe they should be just because I don't like him that well.

As for Earnhardt turning over in his grave I kinda think that may not be right. Like him or not, he was a winner. He hated to lose. The only I think maybe would be different, and I could be very wrong even on this, is that I think he would give him until the end of the year. Just because he was a driver too he would know that the extra pressure and rumors could just make it worse. Of course he may think too, we have Kenny and he's done well, why don't you get the He** out of my car and we'll let Kenny make some good runs. It's really hard to say. But I do think he would make a change at some point soon. And I would also think that Park would go before Waltrip just because he was such close friends with Michael and his wife.

SilveradoWV · May 29, 2002

Yeah getting rid of him asap is a little harsh, and you cant expect DEI to do everything just as Dale would have, but I feel that Theresa and the other big shots at DEI have a pretty good idea of how Dale would have wanted it to be ran! And if Sadler doesnt do the job, try someone else! I think I remember back when DEI was started that they said they wanted all of their cars to be on a winning level, and at the moment Park is the farthest away from that level IMO!

Kansas Kid · May 29, 2002

I got a couple of things to add into this. As much as I hate to say it, I have the feeling Steve Park is going to get released here very soon. And it doesn't have a thing to do with the sponser pressuring the move. This is usually the case when a driver is released, but not this time. Pennzoil is not unhappy with Steve's performance, as they realize he is coming back from a very serious injury and they like him as a spokesperson.

Ty Norris is the reason Steve Park is going to get released, plain and simple. When Park was trying to resign two years ago, Norris was completely unwilling to work with him. Park had to go directly to Earnhardt Sr. to sign a deal after several months of trying to deal with Ty Norris. This is also the reason Waltrip dealed directly with Earnhardt Sr. This man is concerned with one thing only at DEI and that is the red number #8 car. Thats going to make it hard for any other team to succeed at DEI, which was happening when Earnhardt Sr was running the show.

As for who should replace Park, neither Sadler or Kenny Wallace have Parks ability to drive a car when he is healthy. Kenny Wallace doesn't have the ability to win a WC race, and probably not even a Busch race anymore. He had quality equipment for the past several months at DEI, and wasn't even in the top 25 in points when he stepped out of the 1 car this year. You call that making good runs? Thats not much better then Park is running at the moment. And why should he be placed in the car for the last half of the season only to have to find a new driver at years end? Might as well get a head start on next year with a full-time driver....

Now with Sadler, I really like the guy and believe he can win a few races at the WC level. But he won't compete at the level Park was pre-injury. How many of you guys writing him off as a driver remember how long he was in the Top 5 in points last year, and where he was at when the injury happened? (I specifically want to point this out, some people here think the guy was never able to drive) I don't think DEI wants to compete against a driver like that when he gets things turned around.

Now to the Generals comment, which I agree with. If Dale Earnhardt was nothing else, he was extremely loyal to his friends. And he was very good friends with Park and Waltrip. I can't imagine many other owners would have stuck with Park over the off-season like Dale did. He wouldn't be releasing a driver at mid-season with only 8 races back in the car. He also wouldn't have slipped out these rumors of Parks demise, like Ty Norris did. That is too much pressure on a driver returning from injury. Dale Earnhardt wouldn't have run his team like this, nor would he want it run this way. I doubt Theresa would either, but with Ty Norris in charge there isn't much choice. The way this situation has unfolded isn't giving anyone a chance to win in the #1 car. DEI will miss Dale Earnhardt's guidance probaby more then anyone can imagine.

With that book typed, I think it would be best for Park to move onto better things. All I know is, I won't be rooting for any driver that replaces him in the car if this move takes place in the next few weeks. I have no problem with it if the move takes place, but a mid-season move is going to piss me off.....

MountaineerTom · May 29, 2002

If Dale Earnhardt was nothing else, he was extremely loyal to his friends. And he was very good friends with Park and Waltrip. I can't imagine many other owners would have stuck with Park over the off-season like Dale did. He wouldn't be releasing a driver at mid-season with only 8 races back in the car. He also wouldn't have slipped out these rumors of Parks demise, like Ty Norris did.

I agree. ???