Dale jr to race at Indy?

[Down F0rce]

Hows this for a pie in the sky fantasy - John Barnes of Panther Racing has offered Dale jr a ride in the Indy 500.

http://mvn.com/irl/2008/03/03/indyca...ng-at-sebring/

There is an obvious link with the National Guard sponsorship, but I can't see this one coming together... but then again thats what we thought about a merger.

[fieldodreams79]

HA!

i'd pull for him but i would doubt he would make it in his first try at OW racing. the brickyard is too tough.
i'd LOVE to see it tho!

[ThePenguin]

I don't think that we will see Jr. at Indy anytime soon, though Robby Gordon has said that he might try and do it this year, and Kevin Harvick has said that he would like to try it at some point.

[Amar7605]

I'd doubt it. He's not an open-wheel guy. It's more likely to see Tony Stewart or Robby Gordon. I'm not saying that Tony will race, nor have I heard anything suggesting it. But I speculate that aside from Robby Gordon he would more likely to race at Indy.

But doesn't the Coca Cola 600 start like 2 hours after Indy is over this year? That's not enough time to get a NASCAR driver to Charlotte in time.

[climb]

well Robby Gordon has tried it out a couple of times in the past; I'd like Harvick and/or Dale jr to be at Indy

[chavez]

Originally Posted by climb

well Robby Gordon has tried it out a couple of times in the past; I'd like Harvick and/or Dale jr to be at Indy

But the Indy 500 now starts later meaning double duty is all but impossible and just a fading memory.

[JohnSSC]

You are right, chavez.

Also, you have to consider the contractual obligations Dale jr might have which could keep him out of a seat - both promotional and environmental. He may be limited as to what he can do with his free time.

[Knowlesy]

It is impossible, I think if you tried double duty you'd barely make it back to Lowe's in time for the 600. It's just too tight.

I'd love it if they altered the times though, I wanna see Ganassi field JPM again.

[climb]

I weren't informed about this time shift, in any case, should a significant number of Nascar stars be interested,in the future, walking in TG's shoes, I'd make it possible again

[BootsOntheSide]

Yea, it'd be nice to see the two championships work together on this for 2009, to either move Indy to later in the day, or the NASCAR race to the Saturday? For 2008 it's not really realistic, unless another driver started the NASCAR race for you.

[fieldodreams79]

i'm all for the two series working together so drivers could try the double but it will be up to Indy to move the 500 back to an earlier (more original) race time; i don't think they would start the 600 any later. day to night is the way it's always been and NASCAR will NOT move that race to Saturday. like the 500, the 600 is a Memorial Day weekend classic, always run on Sunday. with Monday (in the States) as a holiday, i think both races will always run on Sunday.

[Knowlesy]

Yeah, the ball is in Indycar's court with respect of changing the start time.

[ThePenguin]

The only real solution that I see, is for in 2009 NASCAR doesn't have a race on the same weekend as the Indy 500.

[gttouring]

run the Nascar race on saturday night- then all the guys can come over

[nickyf1]

haha, it seems the table's have turned.... All these open wheel guy's gone to NASCAR, now Kevin Harvick and Robby Gordon have mentioned going to open wheel lol.

It would be nice to see dale jr at Indy, but I dont know how well he would do. But it sure woud boost TV ratings and give some NASCAR, or dale jr fans a taste of Indycar.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by ThePenguin

The only real solution that I see, is for in 2009 NASCAR doesn't have a race on the same weekend as the Indy 500.

They're both Memorial Day classics. Taking either one off is complete blasphemy.

[ThePenguin]

Originally Posted by Matt

They're both Memorial Day classics. Taking either one off is complete blasphemy.

I know that they are both classics, but the 600 was started as a way for NASCAR to compete with the Indy 500, so I think that if we are going to have drivers compete in both races, then NASCAR needs to move its schedule around.

[Down F0rce]

NASCAR won't budge for Indy, the 600 pulls higher ratings at the moment. If Indy wants to attract NASCAR drivers, it'll be the one to move.

[ThePenguin]

Originally Posted by Down F0rce

NASCAR won't budge for Indy, the 600 pulls higher ratings at the moment. If Indy wants to attract NASCAR drivers, it'll be the one to move.

For the past two years, Indy has had higher ratings than the 600, and with the unification, Indy's ratings should be higher again this year.

[Leighton Irwin]

Not a hope. NAPCAR won't move. Smoke and Robby have Indy car experience. Jr. does not. I don't think he has ever driven an open wheel car in anger.
Even qualifying would be difficult time wise although it is the car that qualifies not the driver. He would also have to pass the rookie test although that could be mid week.

[Amar7605]

NASCAR is too big for them to acqueiese to Indy. Heck, they probably won't get Dale Jr to race at Indy unless he had a competitive chance. If he's going to be a bottom feeder then no dice. But if he was with a team where he was going to be in the top 10 for sure then maybe.

NASCAR is not going to let their marquee star get humiliated in a 'lower' series.

[2112]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

I wanna see Ganassi field JPM again.

I don`t think that Montoya shares that feeling

[Down F0rce]

I'll bet Franchitti would do it, given the chance.

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by 2112

I don`t think that Montoya shares that feeling

No he doesn't I don't think, but it's a nice dream.

[muggle not]

Perhaps a Nascar driver that does not have much chance in making the Chase could race both. However, I think that if a driver is in competition for the chase they would have a hard time getting the team owner giving approval.