[Souporscotty]

I read this someplace today, it was an AP story or something.(sorry, I don't have a link) I'm sure SOMEBODY else has seen it. But, anyhoo, Jr said he was very frustrated with the car of tomorrow. He said NA$CAR needs to adress some handling issues. Anytime a driver expresses a complaint he's called a whiner. Do you suppose Jr is whining, or has a real complaint?

[jks812]

It's on Nascar.com too. I don't think thats whining since alot of the drivers are complaining about it. Even Jeff Burton has complained about it and I really don't consider him a whiner.

[Phils20]

But he also complains about Richmond, and I don't remember any drivers crying about sealer, or the lack of a second groove. Never.

I don't blame him for being a bit frustrated, but let's call it what it is.

Richmond track chief responds to Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s remarks

RICHMOND, VA (May 8, 2007)- Richmond International Raceway president Doug Fritz was surprised as anyone to hear the comments from Dale Earnhardt, Jr. yesterday regarding his concerns about the track surface.
“This is completely out of left field,” said Fritz. “All of the comments I have heard about our track surface from the drivers have been overwhelmingly positive since we repaved it before the 2004 season. Between our two-day test session in early April and our races this past weekend, I did not hear one comment or concern regarding our track surface from Dale Earnhardt, Jr. or any other driver,” said Fritz.
“I’m always available and accessible to the drivers and I have received feedback from many of them over the years on a number of issues. I was in the garage frequently this past weekend and talked to many of the drivers, and there was no mention of any issues with the track surface.
“In fact, we’ve made numerous changes and enhancements at the drivers’ request over the years, including concreting our pit stalls, taking out a kink in the backstretch wall, relocating the spotters’ stand to a better location and many other improvements related to the competition side,” continued Fritz. “Certainly, if there is a consensus among the drivers and NASCAR that we need to do something with this issue or any other, we will certainly take a look at it. Obviously, the drivers are busy today testing, but we have reached out to a number of them, including Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to talk about this.”
According to the Associated Press, yesterday Earnhardt said, “The thing about Richmond, now honestly-they need to start sealing that track again. You ain’t gonna have a second and third groove at Richmond if the sealer ain’t up there to use. I don’t know why that ain’t registered in anybody’s brain. I mean, when that track was good is when they were sealing it ever year…You know-hello?”
Track officials have not applied any sealer to the asphalt after it was resurfaced prior to the 2004 season. Since it was repaved, the track has received rave reviews from the drivers-including Earnhardt-on the quality of the repaving job and the quality of the racing.
“Considering his positive comments about our track and the repaving job during our test session last month and after his victory in last May’s Crown Royal 400, I’m even more surprised at his statement,” said Fritz.
NASCAR has also not heard any complaints from any of the drivers. “Neither (Vice President, Competition) Robin Pemberton or (NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Director) John Darby has heard anything from any of the drivers on this,” said Kerry Tharp, Director of Communications, Competition, for NASCAR.
This past weekend’s Crown Royal Presents the Jim Stewart 400 featured more of the great side-by-side action Richmond International Raceway is known for. The race tied the track record for the most lead drivers (12) and fell one short of the record for the most lead changes (25), which has happened twice, most recently in March 1996.

[jks812]

This is the one I saw about the COT. They said he complained about the track but didn't go into detail like the other one did. Probably was whining about the track, but COT alot of drivers have complained about.




CONCORD, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. has used his clout to get things changed in NASCAR before. His next target is the Car of Tomorrow.
A day after struggling with the new-look car at Richmond International Raceway, Earnhardt Jr. called on NASCAR to make it easier to turn and handle.
"It's going to take some time to figure it out, but right now it's about the most frustrating thing I've had to deal with in this sport, and I've had to deal with some pretty frustrating things," Earnhardt said Monday.
Junior was running in the top 10 for much of Sunday's race until Jeff Green spun him. He finished 13th, but claims he knew he didn't have a car that would win. Jimmie Johnson's victory gave Hendrick Motorsports four wins in four races with the new car, which is being phased in this season and could be used in every race by 2008.
"What changes would he make? You can't just sit there and [complain] at NASCAR. I say don't make changes -- let us figure it out."

-- Ray Evernham




Earnhardt finished seventh, fifth and 19th in the previous COT races, and while that's not bad, Junior hasn't enjoyed any of them.
"Everyone is struggling with getting the cars to turn. Even when you're running in second or third position, you're just the best of the worst cars out there," Earnhardt said. "Nobody's cars were that fun to drive. You're just trying to be the guy with the least amount of problems when it comes to handling and that seems to get you toward the front."
When Junior has spoken up in the past, people have listened. When he complained about a dip last year at Texas Motor Speedway, it was fixed before he returned last month. The driver he's endorsed to get the final spot into the annual All-Star race always seems to get voted in by the fans.
Speaking before testing began Monday at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Earnhardt also chastised RIR for not sealing the track before Sunday's race. But Junior, the sport's most popular driver, is most concerned with using his clout to get NASCAR to take a serious look at how to improve the COT.
Earnhardt met with Nextel Cup director John Darby at the testing session. Darby said Earnhardt chalked up his remarks to frustration with the car, and Darby indicated NASCAR wasn't considering any changes on behalf of its star driver.
"No, because one of the things you can't do is fall into a position of where every time somebody brings a complaint to us, we have a knee-jerk reaction, then this car will be evolving forever," Darby said.
The COT was the culmination of a seven-year project to find a safer car that would produce more side-by-side racing and make it easier to pass. With a detachable wing on the back and an adjustable splitter on the front, it was also designed to allow teams to use the same car at all tracks, saving teams money.
"They were open to suggestions on the wing versus the spoiler and all the other things when they were building the car and they implemented those," Earnhardt said.
"Hopefully, they'll be open to some criticism and more suggestions on how to improve it."
Junior isn't alone. Numerous drivers have complained about the way the car handles, but not as forcefully.
"Well, certainly Dale Jr. has a little bit more star power, and Tony Stewart, than I do," Greg Biffle said. "So I have to be careful what I say because I get a little bit more ripped or branded than they probably would.
"But it is a difficult car, to get to what do you want it to do. It's hard to influence the car to do stuff."
But just what needs to be done is uncertain, and not everyone even thinks the car should be tinkered with. Car owner Ray Evernham believes much of the griping stems from Hendrick's dominance.
"What changes would he make? You can't just sit there and [complain] at NASCAR. I say don't make changes -- let us figure it out," Evernham said. "I think that Dale Jr. and those guys are probably in the same boat that we are: spread too thin and what used to work doesn't work anymore."
The COT will be used again this weekend at Darlington, a track known to tear up tires. Junior hopes he doesn't tear up the car.
"I'll be just trying to keep it off the fence. I think it'll be hard not to hit the wall," Earnhardt said. "The way these things get tight, it'll be hard and slow, real slow. Very, very frustrating. Really, really, really frustrating."

[Racer Duck]

Everything I've heard or read from the drivers says the COT is more like the cars of old than anything else in the handling dept. That means the driver has to be able to drive.

Now I'm not saying Jr. can't drive .. but I think he's *****ing about having to get out of his caddy and jump into a socermommobile. It don't drive the same, it takes more work to make it work - that means Jr. has less time to scope out the cuties in the stands or fend off the Bud Bandits. Driving has become a full time occupation again .. I'd be grumpy too...

[Phils20]

Thanks, JK, for sharing that other article. I hadn't seen that! I love when information gets exchanged!

JFW

[jks812]

Originally Posted by Phils20

Thanks, JK, for sharing that other article. I hadn't seen that! I love when information gets exchanged!

JFW

Me too cause I had missed what he had said about the track. Thanks for that one. I do believe he was whining about the track though.I guess they all have alittle crybaby in them.....lol

[Phils20]

You're welcome! And I guess they do as well! Part of it is just a big desire to win, and be successful. I can let Jr slide on this, but I did want to share it!

I think all the drivers, other the HMS and JGR, are unhappy with the COT!

[Souporscotty]

I could almost let him slide. But when he said "I don't know why that ain't registered in anybody's brain", it's like he was saying everybody else was stupid.