Dale Jr. Quotes for Dover
"(Winning this race) last year was pretty special. I was so happy to win, and then the crew told me to stop on the front stretch, that they had something to give me. Then I see Joey (Meier, DEI team pilot) running toward me with that big American flag. I grabbed it and took off for a lap. It was big flag - and once I got going, the wind was trying to rip that thing right out of my hand. YOU try to drive with one hand and carry that thing around like that! Since that day, my uncle Danny (Earnhardt, front tire carrier) has put that same American flag up on our pit box every race day. It's something that the whole team looks for each week.
"I got a lot of attention for winning that race, but I still think that the special part of that day was that we were running the race. It didn't matter who won, just running the race was important to everyone - the NASCAR family, the fans, and the country. Racing didn't seem very important after the attacks, but I think it was good that we could get back out there and do something to provide some fun and some relief for everyone. It showed me how much people all over the country love what we do every Sunday.
"This weekend may not have such an impact on the world like last year, but I will tell ya that it's very important to me and the team. We've really been getting stronger every week for the last month or so, and this weekend is another shot to continue to improve and go for a win. Racing for points went out the window months ago, so we're going to Dover to kick some ass."
Dale Jr. and the No. 8 Bud Team at Dover
Previous Winston Cup Starts: 5
Best Start: 3rd (September, 2001)
Best Finish: 1st (September, 2001)
This Race, Last Year: ST: 3rd
FIN: 1st
Led: 193 laps
Dale Jr. donated $75,000 of his winnings from this race last year to the Speedway Children's Charities, to be directed toward children that were impacted by the terrorist attacks…
Sporting A Junior Cover
Dale Jr. is on the cover of this week's issue of The Sporting News that hits newsstands Wednesday, Sept. 18. The cover story was written by Roger Kuznia.
What:
MBNA All-American Heroes 400
1-mile oval / 400 laps / 400 miles / Race #28 of 36
Where:
Dover Downs, Dover, DE
When:
Sunday, September 22 / 1 p.m.
Watch:
TNT / Pre-race 12:30 pm
You can also tune in on the Motor Racing Network
(MRN) on a radio or computer near you…
Bud Pole Qualifying:
Bud Pole qualifying can be seen live at 3:00 pm Friday on the TNT and heard on MRN affiliates across the nation. (All Times: Eastern)
Media Note:
Rick Oleshak of Anheuser-Busch will be the Budweiser media representative at the track this weekend. If you need anything, Rick is your man!
Thanks to Jade for this Budweiser Race Preview!
www.Budweiser.com |
