NASCAR WCUP: Dale Earnhardt Jr Comments, Dover Qualifying

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 22, 2001

DALE EARNHARDT JR. N0. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet (qualified 3rd):

"I'm really happy with the car. We had about 20 lbs. more front spring rate in the right front and that may have been the difference between third and first.

(You also had a good race here in Dover in the Spring) "We did run well here in the Busch car here and we finished 3rd here earlier this year in the Cup car here but a lot of people, including me, kind of that we were real loose and spun out a little bit down the front straightaway. It was frustrating.

"We know where we need to be and how we would like the car to be as far as handle-wise and to be fast. We often times don't hit that at the start of the race, so a lot of times we have to kinda dial the car in through out the weekend. If we're fortunate enough to be on the lead lap, we normally have a good car or a top ten car.

(What were your emotions starting up racing again after what happened in New York and Washington and Pennsylvania?)

"Well, it was really hard sitting at home this past weekend and not be able to do anything. I think it was a really a good decision not to race. I think everybody's attention needed to be in the right direction and that was for anybody and everybody that was involved in what was going on in New York. It was really hard to not be able to do anything or not knowing what to do or where to go. You kind of feel helpless.

"But now, to get back to the race track for me anyway, is for me to get some ideas on ways I can help, personally, whether it could be donating money or whatnot or just to see what other people's ideas are to help. So that's one thing that's been hard for me, is that helpless feeling.

"I don't know how to compare it to, I don't know, losing my father but I have an idea of what each of those family members or whoever who might have lost a cousin or brother or mother or a son. I mean I've got an idea or inkling of what they might feel like. It's kind of hard thinking about it or trying to deal with it but I think I know what those people feel like. It's frustrating not knowing what to do.

"My personal company, JR Motorsports, actually hired my sister to head that up for me and get me straightened out... I had a lot more problems that I thought I had. She's got me going back again in the right direction with my finances and stuff. I had all my stuff just kind of sitting there and I guess that's not what you're supposed to do. She and I came up with an idea that we're going to donate a $100.00 a lap and $10,000 for every pit stop under 14 seconds on Sunday. I asked Budweiser to match that and they are going to give me a call tomorrow and tell me what they are going to do. I really don't know how else to help. I think I'll work with children's charities and see how that goes."

Text provided by Nancy Wager

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