Earnhardt, Jr repeats his support for Gordon carrying the ‘3′ at Phoenix
Quote selected text Published April 25th, 2007 in NASCAR News
‘I was blown away that anybody would even take what Jeff did wrong and be offended.’
Q. There seems to be a split in your fan base where the smaller number of fans who might have gotten upset with Jeff Gordon, thinking he’s the Intimidator, not understanding the move last week, is being kind of overwritten about as compared to the fan base that doesn’t feel that way. You have a certain aspect of your fan base that wouldn’t throw a beer can, that understands this whole thing. Do you hear from them, too?
DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: Yeah, I mean, not all my fans are going to throw a beer can at Jeff Gordon every time they see him. I don’t really know. I didn’t really see a replay as far as the amount of trash that got thrown on the track last week. I was pretty surprised to hear that it even happened. I was blown away that anybody would even take what Jeff did wrong and be offended. Hello, I mean, he was waving a 3 flag. Just seems like to me he was trying to do the right thing and trying to say this guy was really good and I’m honored to have met one of his accomplishments. Every time I meet one, I’m pretty dang happy about it. I was pretty happy that Jeff – I like to beat Jeff. I don’t like seeing Jeff win. I like to win. But when he honored my father, that was really cool. That was a lot of class. I wanted to make that known.
[taken from NASCAR transcript]
- Gordon set to tie another Earnhardt record
- Gordon and Johnson skipping COT test at Atlanta
- Dale Earnhardt, Jr to Appear on Comedy Central’s ‘The Daily Show’
- Dale Jr. applauds Gordon’s gesture at Phoenix
- Jeff Gordon ties for sixth on win list
JR: “well if they were throwing beer cans, I sure hope they were Bud because I wouldn’t want to see Jeff every hit with a miller can.
I mean dang that would almost be classless!”
I love the fact that Jr. just accepts that his fans will throw stuff at Gordon!
Well I am a huge Earnhardt fan and have been for many years. I idolized Dale Sr. as a driver and as a human being and now that has carried over to his son Dale Jr.
Sorry to say but it’s bullshit that anyone throws anything at any driver and I’m not saying that just because I happen to be a Gordon fan as well. I also Like Jimmie Johnson and I root for them all when the race is on tv.
I as an Earnhardt fan DO NOT find what Gordon did at Pheonix disrespecrful in any way. He was paying tribute to a former driver, business partner and good friend. He wasn’t trying to defame Sr. in any way or to steal his reputation. In my opinion he was just paying homage to the Godfather of NASCAR!