Jeff Gordon unhappy about Earnhardt, Jr’s bump drafting
Quote selected text Published October 9th, 2006 in NASCAR News
In Daytona last February, bump-drafting got so out of hand in the preliminary events that reigning Cup champion Tony Stewart warned someone could be killed if NASCAR didn’t reign it in.
The sanctioning body heeded Stewart’s warning, saying it would start policing bump-drafting, particularly in the turns.
Gordon said the bump-drafting was again out of control on Sunday, particularly by Earnhardt.
“The thing I don’t understand is that NASCAR has been talking about bump-drafting for I don’t know how many times we’ve come here and to Daytona,” the four-time Cup champion said, “and they said it in the driver’s meeting (Sunday) and they weren’t doing a thing about it out there.”
Asked about Earnhardt, in particular, Gordon said, “That guy seems to be able to run into the back of people harder than anybody else. He’s a great drafter. I love racing with him but, man, does he run into the back of people.”
NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said, “We didn’t see any excessive bump-drafting on the racetrack today. I know Jeff had some comments, but we didn’t see anything we had to react to.”
But Earnhardt’s crew chief, Tony Eury Jr., said his driver was warned about the bump-drafting several times during the race and, at one point, Little E asked him to get a clarification from NASCAR what was considered bump-drafting and what was considered pushing.
When told about that, Gordon said, “Well, whoever is making that call from NASCAR, I will put a passenger seat in my car and they can ride with me and tell me what they think the next time.”
Earnhardt shrugged off the criticism.
“There is so much grip here, my mom could drive these cars. So there wasn’t no way I was going to spin anybody out. But I guess it makes Jeff Gordon a little nervous,” Junior said.
“I pushed (him) into the lead five times and every time I do that he complains that I’m bump-drafting him in the corners and blah, blah, blah. So I’m just not going to push him any more.”
Earnhardt acknowledged, though, he did change his ways after the final warning from NASCAR.
“Yeah, I just stopped,” he said. “I knew at the end of the race they would be really watching close.”
It would have been ironic if a bump-draft had taken Earnhardt out, but it was simply a mistake, with Vickers sending Johnson into the No. 8 as he tried to help push his teammate past Earnhardt for the win.
But, thanks to the problems experienced by Gordon and others in the 10-man Chase for the championship, Earnhardt remained sixth in the standings and gained 17 points on leader Jeff Burton. He trails by 106 points heading to Martinsville next week.
“I think we can still race hard and see if we can’t close the gap a little bit,” Earnhardt said. “Something like this can happen to the next guy just as easy as myself. But I’ve got some people I’m pulling for if I don’t win.”
It’s doubtful Jeff Gordon is one of them.
Bookmark to:
- Gordon says trouble inevitable at Talladega today
- Bump-drafting is a hot topic at Daytona testing
- NASCAR to watch bump drafting Sunday
- Gordon thinks Stewart went overboard on criticism of Goodyear
- Hamlin parked at Talladega for bump-drafting
I just ordered a case of Gallo about 15 minutes ago because I need to make sure I keep up with all the WHINING in NASCAR over the last 2 days!!!!!!!!!
Jeff Gordon is just a freakin cry baby. that’s why people don’t like him at all. well except for his fans though, but they are in denial about jeff gordon. earnhardt isn’t the only one that does the bump-drafting, so jeff gordon needs to stop picking on him. he is just pissed because brain vickers was being blamed for the last lap, and everybody is pissed at him right now.
so yes i think they do need to have a rule on that, but they should also have that rule for the last lap too. because that was freakin cheating, a really cheap way to win the race.
So… I’m not saying Jr’s never hit somebody out on the track [[and yes he is my driver]], but is the person to complain about him doing so really Jeff Gordon? Let’s count the amount of people he’s hit-No, let’s count the amount of people he HASN’T hit, it’ll take a lot less time. First he whines that his teammate won’t let him pass FOR POSITION cuz he needs the points, and now he’s whining that Dale Jr was doing the same thing as everybody else out there? He should be sponsored by Kleenex, obviously he uses the product frequently.
Did Gordon even get hit by Earnhardt? I thought someone else caused the wreck that took him out and he just got caught up in it.
NASCAR won’t do a thing that enhances “the show” until someone dies. That’s just the way it is. Look at safety issues. Somehow, NASCAR had everyone believing they were the leading series when it came to safety, when they were just about the opposite. Four drivers died (Nemechek, Roper, Petty and Irwin) and they still did nothing to address it, like mandating the HANS (which arguably could have saved all of them).
Not until Earnhardt, who played loose with the most important safety items he had (helmet and restraints), died did they get serious about head and neck restraints, regulations on mounting of harnesses, full-faced helmets and impact barrier systems.
NASCAR consistently does the greatest job of PR and spin of any sport I’ve ever seen. “Best drivers in the world” (perhaps WRC and F1 may beg to differ?) “Best at safety” (they’re about the only top series without a traveling safety team).
Wait till one of these guys is DOA because the local fireman didn’t know a detail on the car or driver…
I am an Earnhardt fan, and I was at the race. I saw Earnhardt bump drafting a few people(mostly i saw him bump drafting Ryan Newman). I also saw Jeff Gordon bump drafting people, so he has no real right to complain. I will admit that I am a Jeff Gordon fan as well…but Jr. always comes first. The fact that Jr. was spun out along with Jimmie Johnson by Vickers pissed me off. Many people that I know still are. But that was just disgraceful and said nothing for his character. But the fact that Gordon is complaining about bump drafting even after gettin caught up in the wreck that is stupid.
NASCAR drivers are so self centered! They all need to grow up. Just because you wreck doesn’t mean you need to complain about everyone else. Grow up.
David, have you forgotten the times that Junior has wrecked Brian for NO reason…and never apologized for it? He’s not God. At least Brian tried to apologize. He was trying to help Jimmie…not wreck him and Junior, you can clearly see that in the replays.
Did you read every thing above? Look Tony stewart isn’t bump drafting any more. A lot less recks have happened. Earnhardt said he’ll stop pushing Gordon to the front. How many cautoin flags where thrown on sunday 4,5,6 thats awesome if there was bump drafting going on it was very gental. Also for Jeff Gordon(fans also) maybe this is why you are the most unliked drive in NASCAR even most people i know from your home town hate you maybe you(gordon) can come to realize that you are all out there for the same reason. To win.Thats what it is all about.jeff gordon is just mad because his reck earlier in the race and vickers said that was a accident. and he’s the only hendrick motorsport person thats likeable. Earnhardt was a good sport about it you all should be also…
Like everyone says Gordon and Johnson dish it out but can’t take it. Gordon has to stop crying about everything. The reason Earnhardt could run into everyone was because he had the strongest car. There is a reason he has won there 5 times. He’s a better driver than Gordon by far.