Motorsports

Win doesn't count but sales add up

By Brant James, Times Staff Writer
Published February 11, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT [Getty Images] New Intimidator? Ashley Judd, clad in black, visits pit road to watch husband Dario Franchitti qualify at Daytona.

DAYTONA BEACH - A successful Dale Earnhardt Jr. is good for business, and even this early in the 2008 NASCAR season, business is good.

Mark Dyer, president of Motorsports Authentics, the merchandise retailer owned jointly by International Speedway Corp. and Speedway Motorsports Inc., said Earnhardt product was moving even more briskly than normal on Sunday after his Bud Shootout victory Saturday night.

It's a good sign considering that NASCAR's most popular driver accounts for at least 20 percent of the sport's yearly merchandise sales, Dyer said.

"I think it's huge," he said of Earnhardt's impact after winning the exhibition race. "I think NASCAR fans across America are talking about Dale Jr.'s win and the ramifications of that. This sport is about a lot more than just Dale Jr., but he is a big part of this sport. To have him successful is good across the board for the sport."

Five of the 27 official merchandise trailers at Daytona International Speedway this week will sell Earnhardt gear - which is in higher demand than normal considering his sponsor switch and move to Hendrick Motorsports - and demand for his new paraphernalia has forced the company to establish a virtual caravan of trucks.

"We are running trucks, literally, every day from our headquarters in Concord, N.C., to keep up with the demand," Dyer said. "(We have) a little bit of a caravan going with the Dale Jr. and the other driver product, and the big crowds haven't gotten here yet. That happens Thursday through the 500, but who knows how he does today. But I think the Junior Nation is very excited today."

DRESSED FOR SUCCESS: Ashley Judd just rewrote the NASCAR wives' stylebook, but she might need a little relief from the organization's rule book.

The actor and wife of Sprint Cup driver Dario Franchitti, who is beginning his first full season, strode pit road before Daytona 500 qualifying on Sunday in a knee-length black dress, black sun hat and heels. NASCAR rules require those in the garage or areas where cars drive to wear pants, but at least her shoes were closed-toe.

OLD TIMES: Richard Childress, who won six series championships as team owner for the late Dale Earnhardt, enjoyed the Kurt Busch-Tony Stewart incident during Bud Shootout practice on Friday, saying that's the kind of back-to-roots excitement the sport needs.

"You've got to have a little controversy thrown in there," he said of Busch's fender-slamming of Stewart after he spun him. "(It's) something to keep the fans excited and say, 'This is my man.' ... I kind of enjoyed seeing it as long as no one got hurt. A little bit of scuffin' never hurt anybody, I don't think."

Both drivers were called to the NASCAR hauler for a meeting with series officials. As of Saturday night, NASCAR had not punished either of the former series champions.

[Last modified February 10, 2008, 23:05:56]