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NASCAR was known for its old-school drivers in the late ’80s and ’90s who used to have a wildlife on and off the track. However, as time progressed, with stricter regulations, the scene of drivers leading such a life became a rare occurrence as fitness’ took the center stage. Dominant champions such as the likes Jimmie Johnson lead the rest of grid this path.
But not everyone was able to succeed following Jimmie Johnson. His former teammate and NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhradt Jr. actually had to go back to following the old school techniques to succeed at HMS. He wasn’t able to secure the expected resulted when he led a balanced life like the current Legacy MC co-owner.
"Maybe I'm just one of the old guards, man … I need to drink and smoke cigarettes and go kick ass." pic.twitter.com/rQXW44588f
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) April 15, 2024
The 49-year-old in his podcast recalled his experience with the same in the recent episode of his podcast. In 2008, when he joined HMS, Rick Hendrick‘s crew asked do away with the wildlife to have better results. He decided to clean up his image of smoking and not being in shape by exercising. But it didn’t give the results he expected. However, when Earnhardt would go to parties with his friends on mid-weekdays, he was able to produce better results. This made his wonder whether he was like the old guards, who needed to drink and smoke to function properly.
When I started racing at Hendrick, I tried to clean it up a little bit. Some of the people in the building were like, 'Jimmie is in great shape. Look at what he does. You should be doing these things.' And I'm like, 'Jimmie is Jimmie. But okay. I'll do better. I'mma lose some weight. I'mma work out. I'mma do these new things to try and be in better physical shape and better mental shape. And I just was like, 'Maybe I'm just one of the old guards, like I need to drink and smoke cigarettes, and go kick a**. Dale Earnhardt Jr. said in his Dirty Mo Media podcast
Dale Earnhardt Jr. explained how moving to Hendrick Motorsports made him a better driver
The 49-year-old used to drive for his father’s team, Dale Earnhardt Inc. in his early days. However, the team had to soon close its operations due to financial reasons which led the No.88 driver to join the HMS squad in 2008.
However, at DEI, Earnhardt claimed to be ignorant as no one confronted him about his ethics and dedication regarding the sport. This soon changed as he transitioned to HMS in the early 2000s and revealed how his scope as a dedicated racer changed with it.
I learned when I got to Hendrick and when I got around to Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, what being a really dedicated driver was about, what being a professional was about, what applying yourself and being accountable was about. Dale Earnhardt Jr. said in an interview with Graham Bensinger.
The 49-year-old stated that he learned how racing legends such as Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon used to hone their skills, and what practices they used. He further stated that he learned how a driver becomes a profession, and how everyone needs to be accountable. All these aspects were incorporated by Earnhardt at HMS and reflected in his later career on how he dealt with conflicts and mistakes.
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NASCAR road course ace to pilot No. 11 Kaulig Racing Chevy in Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen
Kyle Larson Lashes Out After Tangle With Chase Elliott at Iowa
Tensions boiled over between Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott during the Iowa Corn 350. After a grueling five-race stretch with just one top-10 finish, Larson appeared to have righted the ship, scoring P4 at Dover two weeks ago and finishing runner-up to Bubba Wallace in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis. Starting third on Sunday after a strong qualifying run, Larson wrapped up a caution-free opening stage in sixth. That’s when the 0.875-mile oval surrounded by Iowa’s cornfields turned into a minefield. On a Stage 2 restart, Elliott made heavy contact with Larson’s left-front tire while going three-wide, with Larson up high and Chase Briscoe pinned to the inside. The hit sent the No. 5 Chevrolet skating sideways, but Larson managed to control the car well and avoided disaster. Though he kept quiet initially, he radioed that the car’s handling had taken a turn for the worse. Just 20 laps later, the drama reignited. On the very next restart, the Hendrick teammates leaned on each other again, fighting for the same patch of asphalt in the middle lane. Finally, the third flashpoint came in the closing stage with 99 laps remaining. Battling Christopher Bell for sixth, the No. 20 Toyota snapped loose and clipped Larson’s left side, sending the HMS car up the track and perilously close to the wall. That was Larson’s breaking point. Over the radio, the 33-year-old unleashed his frustration: “F**k every single motherf***ing a**hole. God damn it! How much f****** room do I have to leave people? … I’ve been quiet for 45 minutes… I’ve been trying to be a good teammate, a good competitor, and it hasn’t gotten me anywhere for the last f***ing hour.” Despite surviving multiple blows, Larson limped home in 28th, a far cry from where his day began. Elliott fared better, finishing 14th, while neither could touch William Byron, who dominated to complete the rare Iowa trifecta with wins in the Truck, Xfinity, and Cup Series. Next, all three drivers will face off at Watkins Glen. But before that, it’d be interesting to know Elliott’s side of the story about what happened at Iowa between the two teammates.
Knee operation: Kirby Dach not yet back on his feet
Two years ago to the day, Canadiens fans were optimistic about Kirby Dach’s future in Montreal: the 6’4 forward had just collected 38 points in 58 games – in his first campaign in Quebec – and many wondered whether Dach had a better chance of establishing himself as a first NHL center than captain Nick Suzuki. The past 730 days have proven otherwise, but that’s not the point this morning. Since joining the Canadiens, Dach has earned a reputation as a fragile player. Virus, shoulder, upper body (concussion?), lower body, knee(ACL and MCL), knee again… Let’s just say that injuries haven’t spared Dach since he arrived in Montreal. In fact, injuries haven’t spared Dach since he started playing hockey. He has never played more than 70 games in a single season, and has only broken the 60-game barrier three times in nine junior or pro seasons. Last February, Dach underwent a second operation on his right knee in the space of 18 months. Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes may tell us that Kirby Dach is fine,but we still have our doubts. Especially whenyou consider that, with the Canadiens’ recent additions and departures, Kirby Dach is still the team’s second center on the organizational chart. content-ads]Last week, I wondered where Kirby was ? We’ve seen plenty of Habs players skating at the CN Complex this summer, but not Kirby Dach. And I had to work like a monk to catch a glimpse of him in a video filmed at Nick Suzuki’s wedding! Yesterday, I was told that Kirby Dach was spending the summer in Edmonton with Kaiden Guhle – Dach is from Saskatchewan and Guhle is from Alberta – and that Dach was still in rehab. I repeat: five months after his most recent knee operation and some 40 days before the start of practice camp, Kirby Dach is still not recovered and ready to play. Good informants spotted him in an Edmonton gym doing squats with loads that look like the ones I used to take when I went to Econofitness, not the ones an NHL player uses [content-ads]This explains it: when he came to Montreal for his captain’s wedding, Kirby Dach couldn’t – or wouldn’t – skate with his teammates in Brossard. It’s worth noting that Dach is also very quiet on social networks – his last post was in November 2024 – probably in an effort to be forgotten… to go unnoticed. Spending the summer in Alberta, rather than in Montreal (with his chums at Osheaga), makes sense, when you think about it…Let’s just say that the chances of Dach starting his season at the same time as everyone else in two months’ time are pretty slim, which is cause for concern for those hoping to see the Canadiens in the playoffs in 2026. Yes, the Kirby Dach problem would be solved if a guy like Mason MacTavish-good offensively, defensively, physically and in the face-off circle-came to Montreal, but let’s just say that the odds of that happening this summer are very low. And you can’t make plans with very improbable things![spacer title=’Prolongation’]Matthew Tkachuk, who was injured last winter while throwing down the gloves at the 4 Nations tournament, underwent surgery last month (hernia and adductor). According to the latest information from Elliotte Friedman, Tkachuk could return to action just before the Olympic Games. Let’s hope Kirby Dach doesn’t have to wait as long as Tkachuk.
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Bills GM says James Cook decision was 'disappointing'
On Monday, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane responded to James Cook's decision not to practice with the team on Sunday. Cook, who had been practicing with the Bills through training camp until that point amid contract negotiations, told ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg that he made a "business" decision not to practice with his teammates. During an appearance on WGR 550, Beane said the team did not know of Cook's plan until right before practice. He was disappointed that the situation deteriorated to a point where the star running back felt the need to miss a practice. "There's been constant communication between the two sides....at the end of the day I wish we weren't here," Beane said, via WGR's Sal Capaccio. "This is my ninth season and have never had a player miss practice due too a contract, so it's disappointing for me." Beane doesn't believe Cook's negotiations will cause a distraction in the locker room unless players "let it become" a distraction. The negotiations between the Bills and Cook could continue past training camp. "We'd love to keep him, but I have to make sure it all fits under an umbrella, not in a silo... If we don't get something done now it doesn't mean we can't before (Cook) becomes a free agent," Beane said. Cook is looking for a $15 million per year deal after earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance and earning the NFL rushing touchdowns co-leader (tied with Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs with 16) in 2024. Beane said he isn't taking a hard line on not paying Cook because he's a running back, saying the Bills want to sign him at the "sweet spot." The Bills need the "sweet spot" to come sooner rather than later. It's common for teams to deal with sit-outs and holdouts during the preseason. What Buffalo doesn't want is a distraction during the regular season or postseason, and that could be where this is headed.
Steelers Trade Package for Micah Parsons Predicted
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