NASCAR WCUP: Earnhardt Jr. prepares for night race at Richmond

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 5, 2001

The Budweiser No. 8 team won the Pepsi 400 at Daytona in July, which qualifies them for the Winston No Bull 5 promotion this weekend at Richmond. Should the team win the race Saturday evening, they will win a million dollar bonus from Winston. In addition, a lucky fan will also win a million from Winston should Dale Jr. cross the finish line ahead of the other 42 competitors...

“A million dollars… we’re ready to go for it. The team has built an awesome new car (see note below) and we’re pumped up and ready to go. This has always been one of our best tracks, so I don’t think the Winston deal could have come at a better time. Plus, it’s a night race, and it seems like we really kick butt at night.

“If I’m in second place on the last lap, I’m not going to be worried about points! I’m going for it. I mean, think about it – a million bucks…”

Dale Jr. and the Bud team have a win and three top-10 finishes in four races at Richmond in Winston Cup. The team has led in three of the four races, and also grabbed their first-ever top-10 Cup finish here in 1999. In the Busch Series, they had two dominating victories in the fall event at the Virginia oval. In addition, three of the team’s four Winston Cup victories have come during races run at night including Richmond (May, 2000), The Winston (May, 2000) and Daytona (July 2001).

Step Child, Step Dad

During their days in the Busch Series, the team pulled out an old, forgotten chassis called “the red-headed step child,” (because the entire chassis and interior was painted red) in a pinch. The old piece of metal turned into the favorite chassis for Dale Jr. and the team, and had a spectacular winning percentage. Now, in preparation for the Winston No Bull million-dollar bonus at Richmond, the team has built a new all-red chassis for the race. Dubbed “Step Dad,” the brand-new car will carry the team’s hopes this weekend in Richmond.

MTV Music Video Awards

Dale Jr. will be seen by millions of music fans around the world Thursday night at the MTV Music Video Awards. The show will air live from New York City beginning at 8 pm. (The pre-show begins at 6 p.m.) Dale Jr. is the first race driver to appear at the largest and most prestigious music award show on the planet. Certain details (such as his co-presenter, the award he will present and, yes ladies, the apparel he will wear) remain secret until the day of the event.

Text provided by Jade Gurss

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.