Waltrip Wins Pepsi 400

SilveradoWV · July 7, 2002

Glad to see Waltrip win!!! Earnhardt Jr didnt seem too happy in the post race interview, he was thinkin he should have stayed with Waltrip but I guess it is a tough decision. This time it was the wrong one, 2nd to 6th! But if it would have ended up 2nd to 1st it would have been the right one? I guess thats just the chance he had to take! What would you have done in his position???? I guess I would have went for the win too but who knows what would be going through my head in that position!

Elwood · July 7, 2002

I think I would've stayed put until the last lap then tried it (which in this case wouldn't have worked with the caution), but you never know since I've never been in that position and never will be.

I also think that if Rusty and Marlin had gone with him Jr. would've made the pass and we would've seen Waltrip in 3rd or 4th.

General Lee 01 · July 7, 2002

I don't know, but the last time I checked, Dale JR. was the driver of the #8, not Tony Eury JR.

I could tell in Jr's interview that he was disgusted with Eury over that Pep talk Eury Gave him, I would be too if I was in his position. I would not be surprised if he were to get ripped a new one by either Theresa Earnhardt or Ty Norris in this coming week.

Other subject, Does anyone else find it pitiful that Dale Jarrett did not get noticed by Emergency officials until after he hadwalked half-way to the pits? I guess it's a good thing he didn't have a heart attack (Or something else like that) while still inthe car. I know Nemechek took the worst hit of all, but still, They're suppposed to check on everybody. They even left Brett Bodine's car on fire for atleast 2 minutes.

Elwood · July 7, 2002

I don't know, but the last time I checked, Dale JR. was the driver of the #8, not Tony Eury JR.

Jr. is the driver. And if he really didn't want to go he shouldn't have.

I'm a huge Jr. fan, but I have to say that the final decision is his, and he made it. Waltrip went for the win last time and didn't pull it off. I would've liked to have seen them finish 1 & 2, but I liked seeing him go for the win too.

I just think it would've been better to have tried that move on the last turn of the last lap.

MountaineerTom · July 7, 2002

I was glad to see Waltrip win it. He needed that.

Jr., as well as all of them, get paid to win races, not finish 2nd. So I though he should have went for it, even though it cost him in the end. ???

SilveradoWV · July 8, 2002

Other subject, Does anyone else find it pitiful that Dale Jarrett did not get noticed by Emergency officials until after he hadwalked half-way to the pits? I guess it's a good thing he didn't have a heart attack (Or something else like that) while still inthe car. I know Nemechek took the worst hit of all, but still, They're suppposed to check on everybody. They even left Brett Bodine's car on fire for atleast 2 minutes.

Yeah that was pretty bad, I wouldnt have got in that ambulance either after I had already walked that far. I wouldnt have went to the In Field care center either, they say if your car cant be driven back you have to get in the ambulance and go. I thought they were going to roast marshmellows on todds car it was on fire so long!

Kansas Kid · July 8, 2002

To be quite honest, I was pretty disappointed with Dale Jr's post race interview as well as the fact that he had to be talked into trying to pass his teammate to win a race. This is not Formula 1 racing, or atleast the last time I checked it wasn't. Dale Jr is out there to win races for his team, sponser, and hopefully himself. A racecar driver should never have to be talked into trying to win a race, I don't care who he has to pass. The whole point of running a race is to win, not finish second. But atleast he tried to make a pass, unlike Mikey did at Talladega.

btw, I was very unimpressed with the fans actions at the lack of a red flag. I don't think there should ever be a red flag for the sake of a show, we are trying to run a race not put on a show. I was also quite pissed at NASCAR for throwing a yellow flag for Tony Stewarts last spin. It is almost like they wanted the big wreck to happen....

SilveradoWV · July 8, 2002

I dont think they should do a red flag at the end either, if they are going to do it make it a rule that a race cant end under caution. That way the fans and the teams can plan around it! Better than red flaggin sometimes and not sometimes!

Elwood · July 8, 2002

I like the red flags, but I was not at all upset over not throwing this time. There was no way to do it with 2 1/2 laps left. I would however like to see them go to the truck rule of green, white, checkered at the end of the races when needed.

As for Junior going or not for the win. I have no problem with team members not passing each other and finishing 1st and second unchallenged. My only objection is to Jr. making it seem to be Eury's fault......Jr. is the driver, if he wanted to stay he should have, it was his decision to make.

And I'm sure the sponsors like second place better than sixth, and I'm sure DEI likes 1st and 2nd better than 1st and 6th.

SilveradoWV · July 9, 2002

My only objection is to Jr. making it seem to be Eury's fault......Jr. is the driver, if he wanted to stay he should have, it was his decision to make.

Thats so True but I would have to say when youre sitting in the car all by yourself, all of these thoughts going through your head, it eaasy to be talked into something by a crew member! I mean its probably a pretty nerve racking time setting in there trying to figure out what you want! It makes me think of that movie where Ralphie want a BB gun for Christmas and he gets so nervous and goes blank when he is talking to Santa that Santa talks him into wanting a Football, yeah a Football! Then after its all over Ralphie knew the mistake he had made just like Jr!!

Elwood · July 9, 2002

It makes me think of that movie where Ralphie want a BB gun for Christmas and he gets so nervous and goes blank when he is talking to Santa that Santa talks him into wanting a Football, yeah a Football! Then after its all over Ralphie knew the mistake he had made just like Jr!!

Christmas Story is one of my favorite movies.

I really like that analogy.

SilveradoWV · July 9, 2002

I really like that analogy.

Well a kid and a Christmas present is alot different that an adult and a decision like Jr's but I found that it might just be similar to what he was like!

Kansas Kid · July 10, 2002

And I'm sure the sponsors like second place better than sixth, and I'm sure DEI likes 1st and 2nd better than 1st and 6th.

Who really cares? I have been around racing for quite awhile (and I'm not talking watching it on TV), and I know how all the guys that work on his cars feel. After all the time, effort, and sweat they spend preparing his cars, they do not want him to sit in second place when the car is capable of winning. Regardless of who is in front of him. Sure second place is a good finish, but like I said above, true racers want to WIN! Maybe the things I learned about racing when I was younger are all wrong, and racers should be content to ride in second place. But I guarantee you that Dale Earnhardt didn't win 7 championships by driving like that.....

SilveradoWV · July 10, 2002

sit in second place when the car is capable of winning

Maybe Jr knew some something we didnt!!!!!! He lost 4 spots so he needed to be a little MORE capable of winning that he was! Maybe he knew he wouldnt have much help! If the car was completely capable he would have went around Waltrip when he pulled out!! Its umlikely that he decided to pull out and just let four cars by!

Elwood · July 10, 2002

Dale Earnhardt also wanted his team to do well. That was obvious by his last actions before he died. And he told them over the radio to tell them to stay in line then.

Whether going or not was right doesn't matter to me and isn't the thing here. I just think that Jr. is the driver and it is his decision what goes on on the track. If he wanted to stay put then he should have, he would've obviously been happier with 2nd than he was with 6th. And he himself preaches that they are all a team and will work together, if thats the case then his team would be be happy to finish 1 and 2.