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Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants to drive in the Indy 500

Hendrick Motor sports driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. was in Indianapolis on Thursday to promote the upcoming All-State 400 at the Brickyard and was supposed to receive a two-seater from fellow National Guard sponsored driver Dan Wheldon of the IndyCar Series. Rain washed out the two seater ride that Earnhardt Jr was supposed to get from Wheldon, but he did get a 10 minute driving lesson from Wheldon. Quoted as saying “he picked his brains as hard as I could”, Earnhardt Jr. also had some other interesting things to say in refence to the Indy 500.

Earnhardt Jr. dropped the bombshell that could send ripple effects throughout NASCAR and possibly have IndyCar fans playing the “what if” game. Earnhardt Jr. was quoted as saying “definitely interests me” in reference to driving in the Indy 500. He also went on to say that many NASCAR drivers would try Indy if the schedules could be resolved.

Can you imagine the post popular driver in NASCAR, driving in the most famous race in the world? Earnhardt Jr. single handily could bring the Indy 500 back to its heydays of attendance every time he set foot in IMS. Earnhardt Jr. comments also raise interesting thoughts to how would the other NASCAR drivers hold up in IndyCars. Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, all would be names that would grab fans, national media attention, jumpstart the series, and answer the ultimate question of who are the top drivers in North America.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Maple on July 9, 2009 at 4:44pm

"Earnhardt Jr. single handily could bring the Indy 500 back to its heydays of attendance every time he set foot in IMS" WHAT???? The only reason why he is "popular" is thanks to his dad. For someone who has started 345 races and only has a winning percentage of 19% with 18 wins, I dont see him bringing back the heydays of IMS. Also being ranked 21st in the Sprint Cup is not something that I would write home about.

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Permalink Reply by Robbie Solesbee on July 9, 2009 at 11:43pm

Amen! Preach on brother!

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Permalink Reply by Flashy0ne on July 9, 2009 at 7:26pm

I'm quite certain Dale has all of the physical attributes necessary to be an outstanding open wheel driver. However, I wonder about his ability to cruise around at 200 mph without 'rubbing' the cars next to him ??? There's an awful lot of finesse necessary to be a successful Indy car driver.

The first challenge is to get up to speed; the second is to remain competitive in traffic. I believe the second is the most difficult.

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Permalink Reply by INDY 72 on July 9, 2009 at 8:11pm

I wonder if he would be "seriously interested" , if he was asked that question when he isnt standing in IMS.

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Permalink Reply by Robbie Solesbee on July 9, 2009 at 11:40pm

Would we really want to drag IndyCar to this level.? First he would need a car that could qualify and make the event. Second he would have to have the mental stamina to drive 500 miles at speeds he has never seen. Third he would need the sheer bravery it takes to drive an open wheel race car. Fourth, he is no where near the talent level it takes to drive in this series. I had to sit through the misery of his picking the two asphalt tracks in my area and I was less than impressed. The best equipment money can buy and a top five finish was rare. Plus, to win the championship at Myrtle Beach Speedway you just need to show up every week, When you have the best money can buy and still get your butt handed to you by Charles Powell III, Phil Elvis, and Robert Elliot every week. I shows how much real talent you have, Before everyone starts rattling off past wins just remember Michael Waltrip can win restrictor plate races. And he really has no desire to win. If you drive for Hendrick there is no excuse. But on the upside if would be funny to see the knuckle dragging Jethros reaction when they see their hero get his butt handed to him by the best drivers in the best racing series. Milka Duno would eat him alive.

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Permalink Reply by CC8820 on July 10, 2009 at 9:47am

I hate to say it but JR is not that good of a driver and would have a hard time making the show. It would be huge for the series but come on he is not a good driver he just has that famous name. i mean he drives for the best nascar team and can't even get a top 10?

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Permalink Reply by Michael Eugene Johnson on July 10, 2009 at 3:31pm

I believe his talent is also suspect. But to NASCAR fans, popularity is not really based on performance. Otherwise, Kyle Busch would be NASCAR's most popular driver. However as NASCAR has shown, racing today is at least 50% show business, so it would be great for the 500 and the series.