In my Opinion…

February 17, Chico, CA--- Now I normally don’t weight in on another columnist's work here at Long Island Motorsports News. But I felt the need to, so here we go. 

Deane Mercier did a great piece on the situation between Dale Jr. and DEI. I agree very much so with what Deane wrote, but I do have a few things that I would like to add. 

I believe that big Dale was in fact planning on having DEI be run by Dale Jr. sooner or later. Now it is in fact true, that without Teresa Earnhardt, DEI would not be the powerhouse it is today. But, Dale JR has in his own right become a powerhouse. DEI will be nothing without Dale Jr. as a driver. As popular as he is with NASCAR fans, he is DEI.

This race team is far more then another group out to win races; this team is a franchise in NASCAR.  Without Jr., it will just be another race team. NASCAR fans are very loyal to their drivers and where Jr. goes is where his fans go.

And believe me, if Jr. does choose to go elsewhere, he will not be looking long. RCR has made it very clear that if Jr. is ever in need of a ride, he has a home there. In the best interests of DEI, wake up Teresa!! You need JR more then he needs you!

*****

GOING BACK TO CALI--- This month I will be traveling down to Fontana California Speedway, to be there for the Auto Club 500. This will be my first visit to this track. To be very honest with everyone, this track is not one of my favorites. I’ve never been able to watch an entire race here on TV, and aren’t a fan of 2 mile “cookie cutters”. But this time I will be there on assignment in person; so this will be new to me.

Now with this race being after the Daytona 500, many stories can come from this 2^nd race of the season.  Like what was the “stuff” in Mikey Waltrip’s car? And how did Tony Stewart win the Daytona 500? Yes he is my pick, to win it. Depending upon when you read this column, you’ll know how close I came to prognosticating the race. So I’ll be coming back with much to write about. 

As the 2007 NASCAR season kicks off, I know I am finally able to raise my head up and get that best chair ready, and hear that “Boogity, Boogity, Boogity” from old DW.  Most of all, is to hear the sound of 43 stock cars fire up after the four most famous words in motorsports “GENTLEMAN START YOUR ENGINES!!”

 

---

                   

 Runkle has worked for Causey Motorsports in Hampton, Va. for 4 years, was a part-time Crew Chief for Rette Causey,  driver of #33 INEX/Legends car in 2005 at Langley Speedway in Virginia, as well as being a crew member for Brad Causey in Grand Stock division at Langley Speedway.  He's currently the webmaster of CauseyRacing.com.

Runkle has been racing "online" for about 5 years, served in the US Navy as a Gunners Mate in the Navy Seabees and is currently living in Chico, Ca. in the beautiful North Valley of California, with his wife Kristina. God Bless all of the troops serving around the world!

For any question, comments, complaints, or just to say “Hi” please feel free to email him at Runksix3@gmail.com. Don welcomes anything you have to say and he will get back to you. If you have something you would like for Don to cover, let him know.  And as always, thanks for reading his column.

---