NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said in an interview on Sunday on TNT that suspended crew chiefs were prohibited from being in the pits and the garage area at the race track -- two places which require possession of a NASCAR license -- but beyond that there was little officials could do.
Now, it seems that watching the race from atop your own motorhome requires a NASCAR license. Or, maybe that rule just didn't play out as intended, so NASCAR will have to change it.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s suspended crew chief took full advantage of the freedom the rule allowed and got himself a prime trackside view at New Hampshire International Speedway. It was like the team had another spotter with Tony Eury Jr.'s bird's eye view, except that alternative methods of communication took a tad longer than in-car audio would. It also gave him a lot of time to plot and plan.
But the #8 team's "circumvention of the penalties" seems to have rubbed NASCAR the wrong way. This week, NASCAR officially changed its mind and the rulebook, spoiling any advantage for all other teams going forward:
NASCAR has changed its policy and will not allow crew chiefs to attend races while they are suspended, NASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter said Thursday at Daytona International Speedway.
Duh. Wouldn't you think that by now NASCAR would be getting better about the use of unambiguous language in the rulebook and not rely on things being "understood?"
Since signing with Hendrick, the focus regarding Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s future has been on what number, sponsor, and colors he might be sporting for the next few years.
Regarding the number, it appears as though that subject is dead... the No. 8 will stay with DEI...
Though it won't be dead among those who follow Junior closely.
On the sponsor front, negotiations with Budweiser had seemed to stop when Anheuser-Busch was thought to be wondering if Junior had become a bit too old for the beer brand's target market.
But Forbes.com has some very interesting speculation straight from Wall Street.
According to the story, Anheuser-Busch may be preparing to buyout the company that owns Monster Energy - a drink they already redistribute. Monster Energy is a direct rival to Red Bull, and they've been targeting series where Red Bull already is.. such as a personal sponsorship with Paul Tracy in the Champ Car World Series, and rumors that the company may brand the entire team.
Thus, a possible link to NASCAR via the Bud parent.
The though is that with Monster Energy, Anheuser-Busch may be able to market with Dale Jr. in a way they never could with Budweiser.
As for Dale Earnhardt Jr., he had this to say when asked if there was any update on crew chiefs, car numbers, or sponsors for next season....
