Bleacher Report - Articles by Doug Douglas

Dale Earnhardt Jr. "Boo Him" Campaign Kicks Off in Las Vegas (Satire)

Doug Douglas — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:04:01 -0500

(satirical)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not the most popular driver in Las Vegas; this town belongs to Kyle Busch!

Starting Monday, several Las Vegas radio stations are kicking off the first annual, officially sanctioned, "Boo Jr." Campaign. The goal is to give NASCAR's most popular driver and arch enemy of local favorite Kyle Busch, the first ever "boos" of his life.

Mickey "Horseshoe" Mac, a local promoter, was quoted as saying, "We are not so easily taken by that good ole' southern redneck charm. We are definitely not taken by a last name! In Las Vegas you either win or it costs you."

"Everyone around here agrees that nobody performs better on the track than his 'Rowdyness.' Las Vegas is definitely a big, big city with a large population and a small town feel. "We protect our own."

In the last couple of years, their own have been needlessly wrecked and attacked by Dale Jr. and his nation, for no other reason than the fact that he has real driving talent. "It's time to fight back" was heard over the airwaves this morning.

The campaign will encourage fans to come out to the track and "boo" the most overrated driver. The radio stations are planning to give out hundreds of tickets and prizes to those who promise to offer up their boos to the Junior Nation.

Las Vegas is a class act and although they may give the No.88 Chevy its first ever harmless boos, one thing's certain, Jr. won't get the barrage of beer cans that are reserved for Kyle when he wins. "Kyle gets a lot of beer thrown at him."

Here is to the success of the first ever "Boo Jr." show.

Open Letter To NASCAR From a Dad and Soldier

Doug Douglas — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:11:00 -0500

This is an editorial in regards to the 2009 Daytona 350.

Dear NASCAR,

I'm a family-oriented person, a soldier, and a concerned racing fan. I really don't know whether or not this letter will ever reach anyone in your organization. However, for the sake of me being able to sleep at night, I'm going to write it. So here goes!

There is a scene in the fictional movie “Days of Thunder” where the fictional character of NASCAR CEO (played by Fred Thompson), is taking “Cole Trickle” and “Rowdy Burns” to the woodshed. In the scene you know who is in charge - the grownups! No bones about it! The CEO tells the two “monkeys” that he is going to park their butts if they don't fall in line. This man is not concerned about ratings, ticket sales, or last names. He is concerned about the reputation and credibility of his sport, and he is the boss!

Unfortunately, your organization is beholden to the “Most Popular Driver” who routinely takes you to task publicly and is clearly calling the shots. Your leadership more resembles jellyfish than they do professionals with backbones when it comes to Dale Earnhardt Jr.

I have always been a little suspicious that you favored Dale Earnhardt Jr. over all other drivers. After watching the race on Sunday, I'm totally convinced that is what you do. I know there was the official who held Dale Jr. up in his pit stall, and that was a good call. (I would actually like to know if this man still has a job.)

The fact that you saw no need to penalize Junior for intentionally running into Brian Vickers is shameful! I watched the Nationwide race and saw you dole out a penalty to Jason Leffler for the same infraction. I was hoping that the era of YouTube would somehow steer your organization more to the center as it provides instant video evidence of your selective application of rules and penalties.

In this case you would have been easily justified in taking the high road and punishing Junior for wrecking the best of the field. Instead he gets back on the lead lap and was in contention for a win until the rain started. The only plausible rationale for making such a terrible call is that you fear the wrath of Junior and or his nation.

For gosh sake, hold Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the same rules as everyone else and let the chips fall where they will. You may have to deal with an angry Junior Nation. You may have to deal with ticket sales falling off. You may have to deal with television ratings dropping. You may have to deal with Junior blasting you in an interview for that "damm rule." Furthermore, you may have to deal with an all-out revolt. But at least you will have some credibility and reputation.

Dale Jr. has the absolute best equipment and personnel money can buy. It is not your responsibility to ensure he gets championships. It is your responsibility to run a safe, fair, and equitable sanction.

In the longer term your organization will be better off. You will have regained credibility for ALL the fans. You have to know that sooner or later the marketing phenomenon of Dale Jr. will come to an end.

I’m just a crusty 'ole soldier who has old school values and principles, I’m also a father and don’t want to have to explain that the world is different if you have a certain last name.

If anyone wants to reach me they can find me in the hills of Afghanistan...

Will Economics Help Jr In the 2009 500?

Doug Douglas — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 00:45:01 -0500

"I'm going to make the assumption that most people who may read this post are familiar with the size and power of the Jr Nation!"

I have been reading article after article about how the sanctioning body needs Jr to win the 500 in '09. The reasons seem to run the gamut from saving Chevrolet, saving the national economy, selling out the tracks, boosting TV ratings, merchandise sales, winning the war on terror, supporting the troops, on and on.

I have long ago surmised that the sanctioning body has placed its entire business model on Jr, it is evident everywhere in the stock car racing community. I am led to wonder why a company so big would place all of their chips on one number? Oh well, I should save that discussion for another day.

After reading all of those articles my mind could not help but think about whether or not the sanctioning body would be tempted to influence the race somehow? All of the polling data seems to suggest that if Jr does not start out with a win at the 500 it could be a very long financially painful season for the sanctioning body.

All of this is worth mentioning because Jr has had some very dramatic wins at just the right times in recent Cup history. The 2001 Pepsi 400, most of the restrictor plate wins in '01-'04, Talladega on cue, and most recently June '08 at Michigan (this occurred in the same week the sanctioning body was hit with a 250m lawsuit, and Jr had a two year winless streak). It just seems like Jr gets some very big wins when the sanctioning needs them most.

Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not suggesting that any organized cheating has or will occur with regards to Jr. I'm only begging the question "given all that is at stake and the fanatical nature of Jr's fans, Jr's name, and the risk-benefit, if they are tempted to influence the outcome?"

I would like nothing more than to enjoy a fair and balanced race this coming week where everybody has to abide by the same rules. I'm really hoping to not see the 88 advancing it's position below the yellow line, passing the pace car to save gas, speeding on pit road and not get penalized, passing seven or eight drafting cars by himself in the last two laps for the win (not really possible).

I really don't have a favorite driver, and would welcome and congratulate any driver that ran a clean and fair race to include Jr. With all that is at stake financially I just hope the powers that be can keep it right!

BTW how hard is it to get a "special" plate?