Full Throttle

Auto racing fans that have a more “international view” of the sport are fully aware of the rabid fans of Michael Schumacher and the Prancing Horse’s of Ferrari called the Tifosi. After Schumie’s second consecutive win Sunday they are in full song celebrating.

The Tifosi have nothing on those that closely follow the career of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and after his Saturday night win at RIR they finally have something to cheer and dance in the streets about. Make no mistake, they have been on the edge of a celebratory breakdown since Daytona. After Junior’s craptacular ‘05 season just having him in the hunt for the Chase is reason to keep the Bud flowing and the souvenir trucks flush with cash.

But a WIN! By the #8!

Followed by a jump of two spots in the standings and arch - on track and media - rival JG’s drop of 3 spots, now there is something to get down right giddy about. I suspect the NASCAR beat writers even did a little #8 themed celebrating themselves (very stealth-like of course) at the now traditional after Richmond Soiree waiting for traffic to clear. Jr’s win will make filling column space this week a snap. (how many headline variations of “Dale Jr’s back” can their be?)

Anyway, congrats to Jr. and his fans - and the clandestine ones in the media - it was a well deserved win. I’ll be back later with this weeks Cesspool which saw a few entries worthy of enshrinment.

NASCAR, NEXTEL Cup, RIR, Richmond International Racway, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle