Jimmie Johnson ‘excited’ to have Earnhardt, Jr as a teammate
Quote selected text Published June 14th, 2007 in NASCAR News
Defending Nextel Cup Champion and Hendrick driver Jimmie Johnson looks forward to having Dale Earnhardt, Jr as a teammate starting in 2008.
“I’ve known that we were pursuing [him] and felt like we were in a good position to acquire Junior,” he said. “There was a lot that needed to happen and a lot that needed to take place, and that stuff has all been going on behind closed doors. But I was at least aware of the situation. I’m excited to have him.
“I think he’s going to be a great teammate and a great asset.”
With 4-time Champion Jeff Gordon also on the team, some think that a clash of superstar egos is inevitable.
“I think he’s going to fit in well,” he said. “We still have a lot of time to work out all the details with the team and the sponsor. I think it’s really important to make sure all four teammates are pulling in the same direction and that we are all working for the same goals.
“I think Junior has made that commitment to the team. It’s something he’s looking forward to. He wants that team camaraderie. He wants the opportunity to win races and championships. I think it’s going to be a good experience. We welcome him.”
- Gordon: I won’t wreck teammate to win
- Johnson wins 4th quarter Driver of the Year Award
- Johnson and Vickers patch things up
- Johnson didn’t get message Mears was pitting
- Jimmie Johnson wins pole at Richmond
Translation: Kyle pack your sh*t and don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Notice Jimmie never once said they would miss Kyle or appreciate the contributions he made to the team. They could care less probably where he goes.
Kyle is probably a handful & no doubt in my mind that he
will learn. Look what Childress did for Kevin Harvick, in
his youth, he had the same attitude. Actually I think Kyle
will out shine Harvick one of these days. (When he grows Up)
Kyle is a great draw for NASCAR, even with his foot to the
floor.
Be nice to see Kyle go to DEI with the #5 & Dale Jr. keeping
the #8 & BUD. One exception, I happen to like Kyle.
Good luck to him wherever he goes!
JJ wouldn’t be nearly as excited as he says if he saw JR’s press conference. JR can barely make a sentence, let alone sound intelligent. I guess Jeff and JJ are going to have to ‘dumb it down’ a bit.
Anoymous is such a brave poster! What is your name? Sign your psot like a man!
Sorry, I was a little angry when I typed the previous post.
I agree with you Sam, Anonymous should be putting a name, shoot make one up that would be better.
JJ and Jeff won’t be dumbing it down. Geez what a stupid statement. Jr. is fine the way he is. We are all different and so are race car drivers.
JJ t JR: “if your car is pushing, stomp your foot three times. If your car is loose, stomp your foot once, that way we can understand you.”
JR to JJ: “which foot?”
I agree, and he was making the biggest decision of his life, he was at least a little nervous, just cause hes backed up by many fans, doesnt mean any body will just not be nervous, i get nervous in front of my best friends in class, but not that much, he didnt seem nervous, he just messed up a few words, and he was reading from a sheet he wrote for a speech, its hard to memorize things, but when you memorize them, you can worry bout speaking, not about whats on a peice of paper, Jrs a good speaker, and a very inteligent person, by far, and you can say blah blah, they might need to dumb it down, bullshit, you would of gone on that stage probably, and just stuttered, sweat, and get all clammy if you had the whole nation and practically world watching you, he was speaking in front of alot of people, but he did a good job anyways, and he wasnt that bad, you just dont like Jr, also Kevin Harvick was a better person then Kyle Busch, Busch is a better driver, but Kevins a better guy, and Busch bros wont ever grow up, look at Kurt, everybody says hes matured, yeah hes better then before, but hes still cut ppl into the wall, then he drove down pit road and hit tony, and almost nailed that guy, with in a second. Just sayin, busch bros will be out of nascar sooner or later, Kyle will get kicked to the curb by someone again, someone will pick him up, till hes done, and its all down hill from here on for him. And Kurt if he starts his attitude thing again, he might just not be allowed to come back, we’ll see, id like to see Kyle out, he puts him self out as a real jerk.
Check my racing out at POLENZMOTORSPORTS.com
Hey there anonomuus (sorry i’m a jr fan and can’t spell ethir)
Really grow up a little or have knads enough to sign your name to such B.S. as that.
I’m glad to hear that J.J. is welcoming Jr in It’s been said that they are all friends. But then again how many times have you ever heard Jr. say he wasn’t somebody’s friend. All I got to say is Good Luck Jr. now you got the equipment so in the word’s of another dumbazz redneck I know GIT-’ER- DONE
What is going to happen to Developmental Driver for Hendrick-Landon Cassill?
I thought what “Anonymous” put was kinda funny. Jimmie and Jeff speak very well when they speak to the press and give statements. When Jr was giving his statement about going to Hendrick yesterday, he was stuttering all over the place (I’m sure he was just nervous though.) But that is something those guys have to be coached on.. They have to remember to thank and mention their sponsers, and use proper grammer. Jr will do just fine though, he has for years..
I am also sure he was nervous, I have seen him in many commercials and make many statements before and he usually does better then his press conference the other day. Public speaking is very difficult and practice helps. That is why was a bit surprised that he was struggling….he has had plenty of practice before. I’m sure it was nerves……
Speech Therapy….GIT ‘ER DONE!
To all Junior Fans, please do not allow shallow minded people like this one (Anonymous) get you stirred up. He’s the hop on the band wagon type. Just ignore his posting and do not reply to them and watch him fade away like Kyle Busch.
This JJ fan tips his hat to all Jr fans!
Hurry up and come back to Texas!!!
And why wouldn’t JJ be excited?
He knows JR can’t keep up with him regardless of what car he is in.
He knows JR is not the spokesmen he is.
He knows his future is much brighter.
He knows he is a NASCAR CHAMPION!
Jimmie Johnson has a lot of talent. Unfortunately, I can’t dispute
that. But, just like Gordon, time and time again he’d rather nudge
a guy over than take the time to do it properly. Pardon Jr for not
wanting to race that way.
You are the reason people across the world think all Nascar followers
are ignorant fools.
Judging by your response, all nascar fans just might be ignorant fools.
Nudging people out of the way was made famous by Dale Sr.
“It was just a racing incident” was the famous quote.
Judging by your response, all nascar fans just might be ignorant fools.
Nudging people out of the way was made famous by Dale Sr.
“I hate for that to have happened, it was just a racing incident” was the famous quote.
Wow. How bout before trying to say I’m ignorant you read my words?
I never said anything about Dale Sr. I said Dale JUNIOR doesn’t race
that way. How’s that egg on your face?
And Dale Sr grew up in a time when if you didn’t win you probably
didn’t have the money to come back next week. Jeff Gordon came along
after that had ended, and Johnson came up through the ranks in a
time when any worthwhile driver is a Nascar prospect by the time
they’re fifteen. Major difference.
Your logic is a moving target. No one mentioned you, Nascar fans was mentioned.
Major Difference.
I’m amazed at your analogy of Dale’s SR. time. It is amazing to me that 39 drivers DIDN’T win and they came back to race the next week. Bumping people out of the way is just that in any era.
“Judging by your response”. Hm, pardon me for thinking that pertained
to me when you commented directly after I did.
Um, dear, I was referring to when he came up through the ranks of
the local dirt tracks. Hence why I referred to the more recent drivers’
experiences coming up through the ranks, and not their time in
Nascar. You really don’t read before responding, do you?
Oh, by the way, analogy was the improper word to use there. If you’d
said my analogy between Dale Sr’s time and Jeff Gordon’s time, that
would of worked. When merely talking about what I said about Dale Sr’s
time, that would just be a description. You can’t make a comparison,
aka analogy, when only discussing one topic.
You can refer to whatever time in his career you want, in Nascar Dale Sr. was one of Nascar’s dirtiest drivers and always forgiven by his legion of fans. Those same fans persucute other drivers for driving the same way. That is called being a hypocrit. And yes, you are proving what most think about Nascar fans in virtually every writing.
Are you a wrestling ‘expert’ also?
“Rick Flair came along when wrestlers had to cheat to put food on the table”…blah, blah, blah.
Breanna Im afraid to say ou are trying to put too much intelligence in your sentance structure and it has become very annoying. And you say Dale Sr came up in an old era? Funny how the modern era started in the early 90’s I believe (being the smart cookie you are im sure you will look that up) so really we are still in the same era. Thats how racing should be…come home with the trophy or the steering wheel.
No I’m not a wrestling expert, and I never claimed to be a racing
expert either. I just know times have changed.
Andrew-Like I care. I’m not going to apologize for preferring good
grammar. That’s how I always talk. It’s called intelligence. If you
can’t keep up, skip my comments. Not hard. And I don’t even have to
look it up. Winston started sponsoring Nascar in 1972 when Bill France
Jr took over, which is what is commonly referred to as the modern era
of Nascar. May I -again- point out that I’m not even talking about
their Nascar careers when I note the difference between the standards
of racing in each seperate time period.
There is no difference in the standard of racing between 1998 and 2007. I didnt ask your opinion on my comment did I? Correct answer is no; I only stated my opinion.
What on EARTH does 1998 have to do with anything? You were talking
about the “modern era”, which started in the 70s, and now you switch
to 1998. Tell you what. When you start making sense, I’ll continue
to debate you on whatever you please. Good luck with that.
Oh, and, I didn’t ask for your opinion on my grammar either but you
were perfectly willing to open your trap. I accept that because
sharing opinions is, y’know, kind of the point of a debate forum of
any kind.
“And Dale Sr grew up in a time when if you didn’t win you probably
didn’t have the money to come back next week. Jeff Gordon came along
after that had ended”
My Dear, I struggle to grasp what it is your talking about. Are you specifically talking about dirt track racers? If so Jeff Gordons father I believe had to morgage his house just so Jeff could continue to race. How is this different from Earnhardt racing from week to week off of his winnings? And Dale jr has used the bumper to get around people; its an obvious part of the sport. If you dont like it you can always watch open wheel racing.
Yes, he has a few times. I was angry with him for months after a
race at Bristol a couple years ago because he used bad tactics. But
more often than not he doesn’t take that route, unlike some drivers
I’ve already mentioned.
No, I’m talking about any driver that has come up through the ranks,
whether it be on asphalt or dirt, to get where he is in Nascar today.
And there is still a major flaw in your argument. Dale had no father
handing him money. He had to do what he himself could to ensure he
won the money, and that was the norm back then. Even if Gordon didn’t
have it easy, which I never said he did, atleast a portion of his
financial support still came from a steady source, not entirely on
how well he finished the week before. That was Dale’s only source of
money.
You fail to mention that the costs of running dirt cars has escalated from when Dale did it.
Ah yes, and the value of a dollar has decreased. That would be why.
Whatever. This doesn’t even have to do with this thread and it’s
clogging the comments. My name links back to my page. Wanna continue
the discussion there, feel free.
You made a statement regarding Dale Earnhardt driving in a different era than Jeff Gordon when actually they both share similar upbringings; atleast financially. And im not going on a Myspace website to depate with a child a fact that can be easily be proven.
The part of it you seem to be ignoring, whether it’s accidentally or
intentionally I don’t know, is that Jeff did have atleast part of
his financial backing coming from a steady source, ie his father.
Dale Sr didn’t have that. So your “fact” isn’t so easily proven.
And age does not make one wise. Common sense does. Oh, by the way,
yes, blogspot is so far less immature than MySpace. -_-
Maybe we need message forums as well now…
Well Mr. Editor………. maybe you should!
Seriously, a lot of people argue on here. Haha.
Good luck Dale Junior!
Some people talk to much.
You know…I am an intelligent person, yet I could care less how Jr. talks or gives speeches. I find it very refreshing that he doesn’t put on a show to try to impress people. He is who he is and nothing’s really going to change that. That is the main reason I like Jr., not because of his friggin’ name or his dad. Yes, Sr. was a great driver, but I don’t particularly like him or his methods of racing. However, I do greatly respect it, just like I do Jeff Gordon. I absolutely despise Jeff Gordon because he is constantly whining about people bump-drafting him, when, previous to his whining, he spins someone else out by bumping them in the corner at Daytona or Talladega. He isn’t a real sincere-acting person, while Jr. is just a southern man from North Carolina that loves racing. He will do good at Hendrick because he will have the equipment to take him to the front. Even if he doesn’t end up winning any championships, I don’t really care all that much because I like what he stands for and who he reaches out to with his actions. He cares about his fans and acknowledges them all the time, making time for one last autograph. Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon don’t care much for their fans, as long as they are continuing their monetary support by buying tickets and memorabilia. Their appearances and mannerisms are more important than identifying or trying to honor the people that have made them what they are in the sport. Without fans, NASCAR would be little more than friends racing worn out cars bought for $100 from the closest junk yard. Jr., and JJ both understand that, along with J. Burton, Kenseth, K. Wallace, Schrader, Truex, Hamlin, and several others I can’t think of right this second.
I find it very bewildering that people like certain drivers because they talk well and are good public speakers. Funny, seeing as though some of the most famous, and THE best drivers of NASCAR stumbled over words when giving speeches or press conferences. Times have changed and I find it sickening that people like drivers based on appearance, speech-quality, and social skills instead of their driving abilities and personality toward their fans and fellow racers.
Bottom line is a true fan of any driver will support them wherever he goes. Im neither a JJ or JG fan but a team is a team. Strap in and let it eat next year Dale!!
Lesley; In spite of the negatives about Jeff Gordon I am
still one of his fans & probably always will be. Now I
have to say I have the same feelings about a couple other
very popular drivers. I understand how one can feel that
way. Respect their abilities & still can’t stand them.
That is what fans are all about, we are die hard fans. Dale
Sr is a good example, I would get so angry at some of his
dirty driving, rant & rave. Next race there I would be
rooting for him. We are strange creatures & get very
attached to the drivers we like. That is one of the main
reason I hope Dale Jr will be able to get the #8 next year.
A little off the JJ & Dale subject, they are two of my most
favorite drivers.
Bye now, enjoyed your remarks….. See ya at the races
hey Anonymous what kind of NASCAR racing have you been watching…last
year at DEGA where vickers wrecked jj into jr who got a lap down was
caught by the pack and still held off lil ol jeff gordon to get his lap
bak ran his heart out through the field and yep caught and passed jj…or
this year at TEXAS i do believe that jr ran down and passed gordon…so
if you are watching the same sport we are how can you not see that
jr can race his way past lil ol jj and jeffy….cant wait till DAYTONA and
DEGA next year jr gordon jj all drafting as a team wow should be quite a
race
After reading a few comments here, I realized the only reason JR. is popular is because he is Sourthern. If you want to pick your drivers by pure driving ability, there are no southern drivers at the top of the list.
Jeff Gordon, JJ, Stewart. Kayne, Harvick, The Busch’s, Kenseth, Newman, Edwards, Biffle, Hamlin………. it’s long list.
Vs.
Jr., Burton, Sadler…etc.
Look back at the Nascar Champions for the last 10 years. The only Southern driver was Jarrett to win the Championship. This certainly explains the love for JR. and the hate for all the rest. And my personal favorite is how the non-southern drivers cheat to win…..sour grapes!
I failed to give Bobby Labonte props for his championship.
Here’s the list:
Champion Runner-up
2006 Jimmie Johnson 56 Matt Kenseth
2005 Tony Stewart 35 Greg Biffle
2004 Kurt Busch 8 Jimmie Johnson
2003 Matt Kenseth 90 Jimmie Johnson
2002 Tony Stewart 38 Mark Martin
2001 Jeff Gordon 349 Tony Stewart
2000 Bobby Labonte 265 Dale Earnhardt
1999 Dale Jarrett 201 Bobby Labonte
1998 Jeff Gordon 364 Mark Martin
1997 Jeff Gordon 14 Dale Jarrett
1996 Terry Labonte 37 Jeff Gordon
1995 Jeff Gordon 34 Dale Earnhardt
1994 Dale Earnhardt 444 Mark Martin
it’s not even close!
Um, Anonymous, I’m from a little cowtown in New York, so explain that
one to me. I couldn’t care less if he was Southern. Hell Tony Stewart’s
my second favorite and he’s from Indiana. Harvick’s my third and he’s
from Bakersfield, CA. Location doesn’t really matter. Talent does.
Being personable does.
Lesley-I agreed with everything you said, well done.
I’ll be happy too….you need to get a hobby, so you stop using this forum as your own personal chat room.
How responding to your comment makes it using my own personal chat
room when it’s a date board doesn’t make sense, but okay.
Hmm.
Johnson: “I’ve known that we were pursuing [him]…”
“…that stuff has all been going on behind closed doors.”
Sounds like Hendrick did indeed plan on dumping Kyle all along as he
was telling us he wasn’t.
**How responding to your comment makes it using it as my own personal
chat room when it’s a debate board doesn’t make sense, but okay.”
Yeah, pardon, I’m tired.
Since when in business do people put all their cards on the table and show their hand. That would be the dumbest way to negotiate anything. I don’t remember JR saying he was talking to Hendrick.
GO JR. GO hi five on jj wecome and i hate jj and dont shop at
lows but that could very well change
wow Anonymous u really show ur stupidity…that is exactly wat this is for
if this isnt for people to chat about news stories then y do they let u
comment…and u saying people pick their drivers because where they are from
is really dumb…y would anyone be a jr fan because he is southern
i would root for him if he was from california…he is a good driver and yea
so most of the past champions havent been from the south but that just
shows how nascar is growing its not a complete southern based sport anymore
so next time u wanna type something at least make it look like u have
something smart to say
Anonymous
Jun 15th, 2007 at 6:42 am Quote
After reading a few comments here, I realized the only reason JR. is popular is because he is Sourthern. If you want to pick your drivers by pure driving ability, there are no southern drivers at the top of the list.
Jeff Gordon, JJ, Stewart. Kayne, Harvick, The Busch’s, Kenseth, Newman, Edwards, Biffle, Hamlin………. it’s long list.
Vs.
Jr., Burton, Sadler…etc.
Look back at the Nascar Champions for the last 10 years. The only Southern driver was Jarrett to win the Championship. This certainly explains the love for JR. and the hate for all the rest. And my personal favorite is how the non-southern drivers cheat to win…..sour grapes!
what does this have to do with the topic. This forum for adult’s, kid’s or whatever has really become immature with the posts that ALOT make.