[WVGrandma4Kasey]

Earnhardt calls driving style pushing; Gordon calls it dangerous
By David Newton, NASCAR.COM
October 8, 2006
08:54 PM EDT (00:54 GMT)

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon apparently have a different definition of bump-drafting.
Gordon said the way Earnhardt pushed several cars around Talladega Superspeedway during Sunday's Nextel Cup race violated the warning that NASCAR president Mike Helton gave during the drivers' meeting.
Earnhardt said Gordon's complaint was hypocritical.
"I pushed Jeff Gordon into the lead five freaking times," said Earnhardt, who finished 23rd after being knocked out of the lead on a last-lap crash with Jimmie Johnson and winner Brian Vickers.
"And every time I do that he complains that I'm bump-drafting in the corners. I'm just not going to push him anymore."
NASCAR, despite warning Earnhardt once late, for the most part sided with Earnhardt.
"We didn't see any excessive bump-drafting," said Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president for corporate communications. "I know Jeff had some comments about that, but we didn't see anything we needed to react to."
Gordon, who saw his championship hopes become damaged when he was caught up in a 10-car crash on Lap 139 of the 188-lap race, said there was more bump-drafting than he'd seen in a long time.
He said one of the worst offenders was Earnhardt, who put the bumper of his No. 8 Chevrolet under countless cars as he battled from a lap down to take the lead.
He didn't buy Earnhardt's explanation that he was pushing and not bump-drafting, even though Earnhardt was assured by NASCAR several times on his in-car radio that he was staying within the rules.
"If your bumper is touching the rear bumper of the guy in front of you it's bump-drafting," said Gordon, who slipped a spot in the point standings to seventh.
"Whoever is making that call for NASCAR, I'll put a passenger seat in and make him ride with me and tell me what he thinks. ... It's just a tremendous amount of bump-drafting going on out there. I don't understand why nothing's been done about it."

for the rest of the story NASCAR.COM - Gordon airs displeasure with Junior's bump-draft - Oct 8, 2006

Earnhardt seemed offended by Gordon's comments, saying he tried to help Gordon out by drafting him on a day when few would.

[Dupont4five]

The only problem Jeff had was that Jr. was bump-drafting into the corner and thats a BIG NO-NO in restrictor plate racing, thats all.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Dupont4five

The only problem Jeff had was that Jr. was bump-drafting into the corner and thats a BIG NO-NO in restrictor plate racing, thats all.

If Junior was doing that then Nascar would have got him, because they were watching. They warned Junior once about it. Of course, it was one of Jeff's ok for me to do, but not you.

[atown85]

Originally Posted by Quality88

If Junior was doing that then Nascar would have got him, because they were watching. They warned Junior once about it. Of course, it was one of Jeff's ok for me to do, but not you.

Can't remember when in the race but going down the backstretch, Jr. is behind Kurt Busch (leader) pushing him forward and keeps bumping after Busch begins into turn 3. Busch gets a little sideways and moves up a lane giving the lead to Jr. This was obvious because the telecast was using Jr.'s roof cam at the time.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by atown85

Can't remember when in the race but going down the backstretch, Jr. is behind Kurt Busch (leader) pushing him forward and keeps bumping after Busch begins into turn 3. Busch gets a little sideways and moves up a lane giving the lead to Jr. This was obvious because the telecast was using Jr.'s roof cam at the time.

No one has ever accused Na$car of being consistent.

[Dupont4five]

Originally Posted by Quality88

If Junior was doing that then Nascar would have got him, because they were watching. They warned Junior once about it. Of course, it was one of Jeff's ok for me to do, but not you.

Ok, many of you complain about FAVORITISM in NASCAR and thats a perfect example. NASCAR knew but cause of the extreme grip they werent gonna come down on Junebuggy becase Dega is Earnhardt Country. Not until Jeff Gordon addressed it did NASCAR take action. They even showed it on TV that Junny was bump-drafting INTO the corner. In the past 3 years there has been plenty of wrecks where bumping into the corner. The same thing happened at Pepsi 400 and went Jeff went on his ramp about drafting he wasnt talking to all the drivers, it was aimed at Jr. I remember in the in-car Jeff was pissed at Jr.

[atown85]

Originally Posted by Quality88

No one has ever accused Na$car of being consistent.

Good point. Nascar is the epitomy of inconsistency.

[Nevadastars]

Unless he wins, he is always complaining about something.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

Unless he wins, he is always complaining about something.

This is true.

[Dupont4five]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

Unless he wins, he is always complaining about something.

Jeff didnt complain after Kansas????
or Dover or Richmond or California.

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by Dupont4five

Jeff didnt complain after Kansas????
or Dover or Richmond or California.

Ok, I guess I should have said unless he has a top 10. Either way, complaining is complaining..........and he is The Master.

[Dupont4five]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

Ok, I guess I should have said unless he has a top 10. Either way, complaining is complaining..........and he is The Master.

Jeff finished 39 after Kansas and completely missed the set-up at Richmond???

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Dupont4five

Jeff finished 39 after Kansas and completely missed the set-up at Richmond???

He's still the Master

[Dupont4five]

Originally Posted by Quality88

He's still the Master

So, who cares
you guys worry WAYYY to much about that, especially you Quality, you need to worry about how the fans ae gonna be on Jarrett when they realize his a sell-out to Ford.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Dupont4five

So, who cares
you guys worry WAYYY to much about that, especially you Quality, you need to worry about how the fans ae gonna be on Jarrett when they realize his a sell-out to Ford.

Fans already know... didn't you hear the boos at Charlotte. Besides... Jarrett doesn't whine about his bad day. Even if he did... he wouldn't have time for Gordon hoggin all the tv time to whine and cry about his bad day.