Capt_Redneck

Got this off a racin' website I frequent...Pretty interesting commentary.. http://www.lastcowboys.com/GetContent.asp?ContentID=376 Junior to RCR fantasy becomes peppered with a little reality By Clint Newlin LastCowboys.com Staff Writer If you tried hard enough, you could probably trace the origins of the “Dale Earnhardt Jr. Driving for Richard Childress†rumor back to February of 2001, or shortly after the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. Realistically speaking, it’s never had much of a leg to stand on. Junior made it clear early on that he was going to concentrate on his own Cup career rather than making the decision to live directly in his father’s shadow. But the comparisons to Junior and Senior and have never stopped and neither have the rumors. In the past, the rumors have never amounted to much more than wishful thinking on the part of fans. However, what were once just rumors seem to (at the very least) now be an amalgam of fantasy and reality. If intentions count for anything, then you can say that Junior started the ball rolling when he admitted talking in an ‘unofficial’ capacity with Richard Childress recently about eventually driving the #3 Chevy made famous by his father. Now, Junior also stated that he wants to win more races and a championship for DEI before he makes such a move, but if the situation (e.g. an empty seat in the #29 car) presents itself, who is to say that he wouldn’t alter his plans and tell Richard to peel the #29 decals off and start replacing them with the #3? With Kevin Harvick rumored to be heading to Toyota and Red Bull Racing in 2007 and leaving the seat of the famous GM Goodwrench Chevy empty, major decision time may be just around the proverbial corner for Junior. With the financial problems that the big three are having, and with GM Goodwrench now splitting their sponsorship with Reese’s, it seems pretty obvious that they (GM Goodwrench) could be on the verge of bailing if things don’t improve. If Harvick leaves for Red Bull Racing, putting some stop-gap driver in that car probably wouldn’t please the sponsors. It may now be the #29 car, but it’s still the #3 car underneath, and it means too much to Childress to just throw someone in there who doesn’t have the talent, drive, determination and personality to deserve it. Further, Childress has already bumped Bowyer up to Cup, so he has no ‘developed’ talent left in the wings to put in the car. It would have to be someone who is already in Cup. This wouldn’t be the kind of situation where you just grab some dude who’s lost a ride and use them simply because they’re available. This requires snagging a talented someone whose contract is up….and THAT limits the pool of applicants considerably. Now, if Junior’s contract with DEI is up at the end of 2006 as has been reported, and if Junior has another season like 2005, what’s stopping him from going back ‘home’ to RCR? It’s funny…..when you wade through all the crap out there that attempts to find comparisons between Junior and his father, there’s not much there. They have the last name, and Junior speaks his mind much like his father did, but the comparisons pretty much end there. However, there is another similar quality that seems to be emerging. Senior, even though he owned DEI, chose to keep his business and his love of driving separate. Instead, Earnhardt let Ty Norris and others take the reigns and guide DEI to success. Now, that’s not to say that Earnhardt didn’t have a hand in all the major decisions….he was no idiot. And call it loyalty to a friend or whatever you whatever you choose….one would have to presume that a big reason for Earnhardt to continue driving for RCR was the fact that he could concentrate on doing what he loves….racing. That brings us to the disadvantage that Junior has driving for DEI. His #8 car will always be connected to that line that runs right through the shop, into the board room and right into Teresa’s office. And also feeding into that line, you have all the other distractions that seem to have defined DEI over the last few years. You have lack of compatibility, cooperation and communication within and among the teams, drivers, crew chiefs, etc. Sounds like fun, eh? At RCR, Junior could simply drive a car and let Childress worry about the rest, and it's obvious that Junior would rather have fun racing on the track as opposed to worrying about his father's company. There is a tremendous amount of respect and admiration between Childress and Junior, and I believe that driver/owner respect goes a long way in terms of translating to success on the track. I’m sure that Junior doesn’t hate Teresa (not that he would tell media even if he did), but it’s a totally different driver/owner relationship, and one that I don’t believe is working too well. If money is of no consequence to Junior (and it shouldn’t be at this point), it shouldn't take much financially for Childress to lure him over. Pay him whatever DEI is paying him and save him the headache of driving for the company bearing his last name….that should be compensation enough. It’s likely too that Budweiser would go with Junior if he left. Hopefully some sort of compromise could be reached between GM Goodwrench and Budweiser if that were the case. That could be the hardest part of the whole deal to negotiate. For once, it wouldn’t be a lack of sponsorship troubling Childress….it would be sponsors fighting over space on the hood of the resurrected #3. They could always split it down the middle, letting the GM Goodwrench logo adorn the hood at Daytona (maybe have Bud on there for the Shootout and Twin races), Bristol, Indy, etc. Admittedly, I am an armchair team owner with no inside knowledge of what is going on in the heads of all the players that would have to be involved for this deal to happen. But it seems like a win-win situation for everyone….well except for DEI. But if Truex Jr. could bring them success, it wouldn’t matter. From an ownership standpoint, it doesn’t matter what the driver’s name is….only that he wins races and the championship. Suppose none of this is accurate. Suppose that this isn’t even close to happening like many of us hope. What then? If that’s the case, then I have the following proposal for Teresa Earnhardt, DEI, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Budweiser, Richard Childress, RCR, Kevin Harvick and GM Goodwrench…. Take one race (Daytona, Talladega or Bristol come to mind) and do some sort of cross marketing campaign which will not only light a fire in all DEI and RCR fans, but will set off one of the biggest die-cast sales of all time….for just one race….one measly, little race, have Junior run a black #8 car with the GM Goodwrench sponsorship, and have Harvick run a red #29 Budweiser car. It would be huge….bigger than the rest of the season itself. Why has this not been done? Why, why, why?!?!?!?

Great news coming out of Petty Enterprises - #45 Kyle Petty is going to be sponsored for a few races by Schwan's (they were #49 Ken Schrader's sponsor last year). Looks like Kyle doesn't have to worry about a sponsor this year with Wells Fargo, Schwan's and possibly Coke's new soft drink each taking turns over the long season....

fathead... Thank you very much. I seem to have lost my MP3 of it and everything elsea while ago when my HD crashed after New Year's.... Darrell

Here we go again folks. Another season of NASCRAP's marketing juggernaut to corporate America. This might be the last season that I actually want to watch the races. I am still in disbelief that a foreign car maker is about to enter the Cup series next year (2007). I under stand that is is putting the pressure on Cup teams to keep up with Toyota's money - which is the richest car maker in the world and they have TON's of money to throw around. The "Car Of Tomorrow" will go forward in 2007 also, drastically changing the way bodies and aero packages will affect the competition. Also another "minor" change, NASCAR going to UNLEADED fuel in 2007, again changing the way the engines will be built and run. The only good thing that I have heard about 2007 is the possibility of Kevin Harvick going to one of the Toyota teams as he is high on their wish list. That will open up the #29 Goodwrench seat which in very recent interviews that Dale Jr would still love to drive. It will go back to the Black # 3 Goodwrench Chevy driven by Dale Earhhardt Jr. - that brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Rumors have it that he is sort of unhappy about the way things have gone at DEI over the years since Big "E" 's death. Why would he have his own Busch team and find sponsorship for himself if he is a prt of DEI? Makes you wonder...... As far as 2006 ...... I am hoping Tony wins again as he is the BEST racecar driver of our generation - Indycars, midgets, sprints, stockcars...He has been compared to AJ Foyt by his peers an by AJ himself on an ESPN piece today. Another team that I hope turns it around is Petty Enterprises. Having Bobbie Labonte driving the #43 is just what they needed to bring that car back to the front. I still say Kyle has a couple of more years left in him. Great move bringing back Robbiue Loomis to help run PE. Now they got the right talent to help make PE competitive on the track. I just hope PE doesn't stay in the past like they have been since King Richard retired. They got the right pieces to bring PE into the future... Roush will be another great team as usual. I am still hoping Mark Martin goes out a champion (he will always be my sentimental favorite) , Mark deserves it more than anyone. Although if Edwards and Biffle and Kenseth are as strong as last year watch out..... I am still not a fan of Kurt Busch. Maybe he will rub someone the wrong way , as usual, and get what's coming to him. Then again maybe he will grow up and learn his lesson from last year ... As far as Hendrick Motorsports , I know they will do well . I am just hoping they don't . Never will like Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson.... Bud Shootout - Saturday Feb 11, 2006...........Let the fun begin Darrell

Gimme Three Steps - Lynyrd Skynyrd That whole song reminds me Oh Bo Duke when he is with a lady. I can picture something that happening in Hazzard... (Allen Collins - Ronnie VanZant) I was cutting the rug Down at a place called The Jug With a girl named Linda Lu When in walked a man With a gun in his hand And he was looking for you know who. He said, "Hey there fellow, With the hair colored yellow, Watcha tryin' to prove? 'Cause that's my woman there And I'm a man who cares And this might be all for you." I was scared and fearing for my life. I was shakin' like a leaf on a tree. 'Cause he was lean and mean, Big and bad, Lord, Pointin' that gun at me. I said, "Wait a minute, mister, I didn't even kiss her. Don't want no trouble with you. And I know you don't owe me But I wish you'd let me Ask one favor from you." (Chorus) "Won't you give me three steps, Gimme three steps mister, Gimme three steps towards the door? Gimme three steps Gimme three steps mister, And you'll never see me no more." (Chorus) Well the crowd cleared away And I began to pray And the water fell on the floor. And I'm telling you son, Well, it ain't no fun To be lookin' at a forty-four. Well he turned and screamed at Linda Lu And that's the break I was looking for. And you could hear me screaming a mile away As I was headed out towards the door. (Chorus)

There is a great website dedicated to the Trans Am called Bandit Trans Am Club..... There is lot of info on what you were asking about... http://www.bandittransamclub.com/index.html 1977 Pontiac Trans Am Special Edition (Y82 -T-Tops) Hope this helps Darrell

Here are a few that might have worked , at least for me they would have. The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary Led Zep - Bring It On Home ( the opening riff after the slow harmonica part) I still say the songs in the movie were perfect at the right times... Darrell

Hey now...... I don't use vulgar language like that , just insinuated a movie reference that was sort of blown out of proportion in a thread .....And yes I did apologize for it.... But usually I am a good ol' boy .... I'm gone Darrell

Tim Duke... I have never said you started any thing . Maybe it's that you take it too far in your support of the anti movie people. There is no need to constantly rehash the same stuff over and over to whoever posts that they don't like the movie is there? I don't post in reply to almost every thread of the anti movie stuff. Heck I get tired of all the freakin' different threads about how the movie was not the Dukes and it sucks, blah, blah blah. When I or anyone does reply any pro movie stuff it is always replied to in a negative way. So be it . Maybe if people don't go OFF TOPIC like this thread, there wouldn't so much crap like this either... You know how I feel about the same old crap( My infamous , misconstrued 2 words for ya'll threadl) . I don't want people to share my point of view as that is UnAmerican, but stop the same stuff over and over and over. Maybe a few threads would be OK , but the amount is too much..... Just so nobody forgets my thoughts on all of this .. http://www.hazzardnet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2746 See Ya'll later Darrell

TimDuke.... No, no ...Never said to leave the site. Just post all your negativity on other sitesas you do already. I figured you would misinterpret that . Your post to him is the contradiction. YOU should show respect your self and not chastise someone else for asking that the constant bashing of the movie be stopped. GeneralLee01 said it a very simplistic way" All of you who hate the movie, stop making fun of it! Its my favorite movie and im sure a lot of other peoples too so respect our opinions and dont make fun of it. We are all Dukes fans so we all must get along." ...Was he telling you your opinion sucks? HELL NO....Remember you like to get your point across that you hate the movie and Blah, blah, blah, no matter what.. Let me ask you this...Is this your life going around and dissing the movie and people who LIKE it all over the internet? Maybe you get should some priorities in order Practice what you preach my son "You don't like me or my post you don't have to reply anymore"..... Have a nice day again Darrell

TimDuke.... You can put any spin on "respect" any way you want. You are DEAD WRONG on this one. Yes I am one of the first people to say stop the same old negativity. Never saying any opinions are wrong, but just to stop the constant bashing from people like you. If that is disrespect then remember my 2-words for you then......Get over it.. And one other thing, I could give a rat's tail if you "respect" me or not. Maybe the CMT board is more of your style , you can keep showing your "respect" on there. Have a nice day Darrell

TimDuke..... What does asking people to stop bashing the movie have about respecting opinions? Did GeneralLee01 say anything about NEGATIVE at all? ....Maybe you should practice what you preach about respecting others. I know your thoughts on the movie and those are YOUR views as they are on EVERY Dukes message board and forum across the internet. Don't take it so personal that people liked the Dukes movie. Let it be.. Maybe you should show some respect to others and respect that people actually LIKED this movie..... Later Darrell

I have ben reading that stuff too. I will wait til there is an OFFICAL source and not heresay. It is still too early to even think about recasting since according to the interviews with stars , they are contracted for a sequal. Personally, no recast is needed. Just maybe some more character developement for Boss and Roscoe and maybe more of a backstory to show the Boss Hogg/Uncle Jesse realtionship...Just take out the drug stuff is all I am asking.... I'm gone Darrell

I still can't figure out why they did that with the PG-13 version by releasing it only in frull frame.Only the PSP veriaon(PG-13) is widescreen . They could have made both the widescreen and full frame on the same disc. Alot of movies are like that. I have both DVD versions and like both of them for what they are. I actually don't mind the unrated version, although not as bad as I thought it would be. I watch the PG-13 with my kids though.... I'm gone Darrell

The second movie "Hazzard In Hollywood" had a great line by the balladeer Mac Davis....It is when in the scene in the beginning in Hazzard square about the berries and " it causes a certain male appenage to be harder than Japanese arithmatic".......Wonder what that means? Guess they got away with that one.. I'm gone Darrell

Don't think it will wind up in there at all......After all it is NOT a bare bones DVD as it has extras on it unlike most of the movies in the bin... After all it is a great movie and deserves it's shelf space.... I'm gone Darrell

First of all.....To everyone here at H-Net , a Happy New Year to you and your families. I wish I had a New Year's Resolution. Maybe to be more patient with my teenage daughter, although she drives all of us NUTS....But being a father of a teenager is harder than I thought..lol Anyway, I am on my way to MSG to see The Black Crowes. What a way to rock in the New Year.... Happy New Year Darrell

I will be having a blast in NYC. Going to see The Black Crowes at Madison Square Garden. What a way to welcome the new year in. A little Rock N Roll party in NYC is a good way to start..... Ho, Ho, Ho.... Darrell

Hey everyone Another topic on Christams favorites. Let's what ya'll like to watch around the holidays 1. Mr Magoo's Christmas Carol - My all time favorite Christmas special since I was a little kid. And probably one of the best re-tellings of A Christmas Carol ever. I know it's a cartoon, but it sure is a great version.. 2. A Christmas Story - What can I say about this movie? It has become a true Chritsmas Classic. You'll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid...... 3. Miracle On 34th St. - The original is still the best. And Yes I still believe in Santa.. Let's see what everyone watches .. Ho, Ho, Ho Darrell

Hey everyone..... Just wanted to see what is your favorite Christmas song or CD.... Some of my favorite Christams songs 1. Snoopy's Christmas - The Royal Guardsmen... I have loved this song since I was a little kid and will always be my all-timew favorite . Even enemies have the respect to celebrate Christmas - Merry Christmas My Friend 2. The Angels Cried - Alan Jackson & Alison Krauss - Such a beautiful song and especially Alison's Angelic singing... 3. Rob Thomas - A New York Christmas - Perfect song for what Christmas is like in NYC. Nothing will ever beat that. Especially after 9/11 and seeing the Big Tree and the Radio City Christmas show with the Rockettes. Great song to show what NY is like at Christmas. 4. Brian Setzer Orchestra - He has 2 Chritmas CD's adn both never leave the CD player around this time. His swinging versions of Christmas classics and originals rock my Christmas tree...Oh What Fun It Is To Ride In A 57' Chevrolet..... I have others that I like but Iwould love to hear what ya'll like too Ho, Ho, Ho..... Darrell

To everyone here at H-Net...... I want to take the time to apologize for my recent sort of argumentative style. As most know that is not what I like to do. I got bugged a bit about what I felt was getting too compounded and I sort of lashed out. For that and to anyone I have offended I did not want that at all, you have my apologies... Everyone here is a "True" Dukes fan and that will never be taken away from any of ya'll no matter what. The movie aside , which has caused various discontent for most of us, this THE place to be for fans of the DOH. Sure we might not see eye to eye on the movie and that is OK. But there is so much Dukes and other stuff to talk about . The Dukes is a family and this site is a family. Families have disageements , but things usually go back to normal because they are family. That is what a family does. Please let us try and stay that way. I would like very much to have us all as friends than to have everyone mad. Darrell

I got a Basset hound for Christrmas 3 years ago. My son who will be 3 on the 21st loves her to death.... What I want for Christmas is to see my children and my family be happy and healthy. Christmas for me is about them and letting them get all the good stuff they want ( to a certain limit as my credit cards will let me go....lol) . I have learned that for mmy father , who did everything just to get me want I wanted growing up and not worry about himself. Thank you Dad , I miss you so much . To me that is the best present I could wish for..... I wish everyone here at H-Net and theri families get their wish and also a very Merry Chrsitmas ... Ho, Ho, Ho.. Darrell

Brian... I am not basing it on just HazzardNet or on the other message boards. I threw out that theory just to get a point across. I guess with all the promotion the DOH has gotten this past year , I expected evertyhing to do better. Just have to remember CMT is NOT available on all cable systems either. It was just added to mine a year and a half ago( and here on Long Island & NY , we have NO country music radio station) I don't expect Dukesfest to get Indy 500 numbers. But in a way I do wish it isn't as great as everyone thinks it is. It makes it more of 'small town" feel seeing the same people on the boards and at car and memorabilia shows. Believe me, everything you read on the interenet is the TRUTH.. .. I will always pick up the entire tab for you and all the great folks here at H-Net.. Later Darrell

TimDuke See that is the thing. As big as Dukes fan I am and have been and will always be , I don't think the fanbase is as great as you think it is. Sure 40,000 is a great turnout, but when you can get close to 150,000 for ONE NASCAR race and about 250,000 for the Indy 500 that kind of pales in comparison. It is not the lack of screen names on all the Dukes sites , it is the SAME screen names on them. Most of us are all on the same sites.... You maybe right that it might have lasted a shorter time if they kept more adult. Yes I wished it had stayed in that direction , but please read what I said in response to Dale. "I liked the fact that the GA 5 were a bit more ADULT oriented. Back then , I was 9 in 79, I liked it for the car most likely. As I got a bit older and wiser ( some might not say so) , I liked it for the family atmosphere it portrayed. And still do as it is one of few shows I can watch with my entire family. It wasn't until I started watching taped episodes after the show went off the air that I really started to enjoy the first 5. That is probably when I wished the show would have been more like that for the rest of the series. Not that it wasn't because there are some really great episodes over the span of 7 years. And I do like some of the Coy & Vance stuff too. The miniatures I can live without... I am glad in went the way it did to last that long. By the way Tim, I see you are KISS fan.....Would love to share some stuff with you. Do you collect any KISS stuff? Later Darrell

Dale ..... I like and respect your point of view. That was a great post. I liked the fact that the GA 5 were a bit more ADULT oriented. Back then , I was 9 in 79, I liked it for the car most likely. As I got a bit older and wiser ( some might not say so) , I liked it for the family atmosphere it portrayed. And still do as it is one of few shows I can watch with my entire family. It wasn't until I started watching taped episodes after the show went off the air that I really started to enjoy the first 5. That is probably when I wished the show would have been more like that for the rest of the series. Not that it wasn't because there are some really great episodes over the span of 7 years. And I do like some of the Coy & Vance stuff too. The miniatures I can live without... Now when the movie came out I was glad in was not in the later years of series type. But more in the "rougher" type ( some of the stuff in the movie I could have done with out) . Yeah I LOVE Smokey & The Bandit and that was a lot more colorful for 1978. And YES I was still waiting for a Black T/A to be parked at the Boar's Nest in the movie. Maybe the movie could have been more successful if was more family oriented. Then again maybe people would have turned off by that because they remember how the show was in the later years. I have to disagree somewhat on the "big" fanbase of the Dukes. Sure there are a lot of forums and message boards, but alot of those are the same people on each board ( I belong to at least 5 and alot of the people on here the same amount) . Sure you 30, 40, 50 thousand for Dukesfest, but you get that at one football or British soccer game or a U2 concert over and over on a sold out tour. Like I said maybe the fanbase wasn't as great as WB thought it was. That is no way a knock on the Dukes, because they know who their "true" fans really are. Later Darrell