Latest news with #MardyLindley
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kyle Busch Clears the Air After Dale Jr. ‘Shade' Sparks Fan Backlash
Kyle Busch Clears the Air After Dale Jr. 'Shade' Sparks Fan Backlash originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Kyle Busch is known for not sugarcoating what's on his mind. Throughout his career, that's often included taking aim at his fellow competitors or the sanctioning body. Advertisement On Saturday at Pocono Raceway, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion met with reporters and didn't mince words when asked for his thoughts on Dale Earnhardt Jr. serving as a substitute crew chief for Connor Zilisch in the Xfinity Series race, replacing Mardy Lindley, who was serving a one-race suspension for loose lug nuts in the Nashville race two weeks earlier. 'It's all publicity, but spin it how you want it,' Busch said. 'He's just gonna be a warm body sitting on top of the box. They've got enough stuff from the shop and enough technology these days of being able to have the crew chief still involved. Kyle Busch during practice at Pocono Raceway.'I could say I could do the same thing with one of my Truck teams, but the guys at the shop would be the ones handling it. But still great, cool, eyeballs and putting some attention on their team and stuff like that.' Advertisement Unsurprisingly, many online viewed Busch's remarks as throwing shade at Earnhardt. The Richard Childress Racing driver saw his remarks on X, the resulting fan reaction and replied to his interview. 'This has nothing to do w any animosity towards Dale jr.,' he clarified. 'I'm referencing how silly the suspensions for cc are these days w all the technology they have to stay in contact w their teams. I'd say the same thing if JG went on a HMS box as a cc.' Kyle Busch remembers Richmond 2008. Related: Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott Make List No Cup Series Driver Wants to Be On This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Congratulations Pouring In For Dale Earnhardt Jr. After Weekend Race
Congratulations Pouring In For Dale Earnhardt Jr. After Weekend Race originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is already retired from full-time competition, but the two-time Daytona 500 winner can still find himself in the headlines from time to time. Advertisement On Saturday, the 50-year-old Earnhardt captivated racing fans with his success as a first-time crew chief for JR Motorsports rookie driver Connor Zilisch in the NASCAR Xfinity Series' Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 event at Pocono Raceway. Earnhardt is known more these days as the owner of JR Motorsports, but he had to put on the headset and help Zilisch have a solid day at Pocono after regular crew chief Mardy Lindley was handed a one-race suspension because of a lug nut penalty during a previous race at the Tennessee Lottery 250 race at Nashville Superspeedway on May 31, where JR Motosports had a 1-2 finish. NASCAR Cup Series team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Justin Allgaier won the race while Zilisch finished second. However, it was later discovered that Zilisch's No. 88 Chevrolette had two unsecured lug nuts, resulting in a suspension for Lindley and a $10,000 fine for the team. Advertisement Earnhardt seemingly loved every bit of his experience filling in for Lindley. 'Hats off to everybody on this team,' Earnhardt said after the race (h/t Holly Cain of 'It's been amazing all weekend long. Great race car driver. Connor Zilisch is going to be a big deal in this sport for a long time. A lot of fun for me today.' Earnhardt also got a great shoutout from NASCAR on social media, which garnered plenty of heartfelt messages from fans. "Dale Jr. win rate as crew chief: 💯," said a fan on Instagram. Another one said: "That's a walk of a happy happy guy with his daughters…congrats Dale Jr🏁' Advertisement From a commenter: "What a debut! 👏' 'Time to drink some Bud!!! 🍻,' a social media user posted. Via a different commenter: 'Making it look easy in his debut.' Said another: 'Congratulations JRM 🏁🏁🏁' With Zilisch's victory under his watch, Earnhardt became the fifth crew chief in the 2025 Xfinity Series to secure his first win in NASCAR's second-tier circuit. Related: Kyle Busch Clears the Air After Dale Jr. 'Shade' Sparks Fan Backlash This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dale Earnhardt Jr Just Won His First Race as a NASCAR Crew Chief
Dale Earnhardt Jr was asked to step in as crew chief for Connor Zilisch in the 18-year-old rookie's first attempt at Pocono Raceway. After two runner-up finishes in the last five races, he finally has his first win on an oval. Zilisch's regular crew chief, Mardy Lindley, was set to serve a one-race suspension following a penalty for two missing lug nuts at Nashville Speedway earlier this month. Jr. Motorsports saw it as an opportunity to get the boss closer to the action, and Earnhardt Jr. was tapped to replace him. With seven laps remaining, Zilisch restarted third and passed Christian Eckes for second on the restart. A few laps later, he was battling with his friend and fellow Xfinity race winner Jesse Love for the lead. Zilisch secured the lead over Love with four laps to go, with fellow rookie Eckes following in third. Earnhardt Jr. swept Pocono as a Cup Series racer in 2014 with the help of his longtime crew chief Steve Letarte, who was with Earnhardt for support in his first crew chief appearance. "When we have an issue like this with somebody being suspended, they know what to do. Just a great job putting us in a position to succeed," Earnhardt told The CW Sports' Dillon Welch. Since Zilisch sat out the Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway following his big late-race incident with Love at Talladega, he's finished in the top five every race, finishing second back-to-back at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Nashville. Zilisch, who came up through road course and sports car racing, has been an easy bet on the road courses but was dying to prove himself as a rookie with staying power in the Xfinity Series and beyond with an oval win. "I've been dying for this one for a while now, I know that it doesn't feel like that long," The 18-year-old told CW's Kim Coon. "Dale Jr, not too bad on the box," Zilisch added. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
