NASCAR WCUP: Earnhardt Jr. wants to use a year's experience to help at Sears Point
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
June 20, 2001
“We had a rough time last season at Sears Point. I was not experienced at the track, and neither was the team. But, this year I think we’re much better. We did a test session there and I’m feeling more confident in my road racing skills after racing in the 24 Hours of Daytona in the Corvette. We still learn something new each lap but we’re getting closer.
“It really is fun, though. I love being able to just fly around there on the edge of control, but you have to be careful because there is very little room for error. The race was mentally taxing because you can’t afford to put it in a tire barrier or wall. I will try to remember what my dad told me before the race last year: ‘keep it on the asphalt and you’ll have a good finish…’” Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Budweiser No. 8 Team and Dale Jr. at Sears Point
- Previous Winston Cup Races: 1
- Best Start: 31st
- Best Finish: 24th
Improving Sophomores
Even though they have yet to reach Victory Lane, Dale Jr. and the No. 8 Budweiser team are having a much more consistent season this year versus their freshman campaign in 2000. For instance, they have led in seven of the last nine races, which brings their total for the season to nine races led, one short of last year’s season total. Many of their statistics after 15 races equal or exceed their results from all of last year.
Stat 2001 (15 races) 2000 (36 races)
- Wins 0 2
- Top 5 Finishes 3 3
- Top 10 Finishes 6 4
- Races Led 9 10
- Pole Positions 1 2
Bud Pole Qualifying:
Bud Pole qualifying will be seen at 5:00 Friday afternoon on the Fox Sports Network.
What to Watch
The beautiful, wine-country Sears Point setting is constantly being improved, and this year is no exception. The new and improved Turn Seven on the road course is known officially as “the Budweiser Bottleneck” and will serve to make the racing even better than it has been in the past.
This will be the final race of the season to be televised by Fox. The following race from Daytona will begin the NBC/TNT coverage that will continue through the end of the year.
Text provided by J. Gurss
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