Quote from race preview
        Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Rockingham race preview)

Nov. 3: NAPA 500, North Carolina Speedway, Rockingham, SC
TV: 12:30 p.m. TNT; RADIO: 12:30 p.m. MRN

Dale Jr. at Rockingham
Winston Cup starts: 6; best start: 1 (Nov. 2001); best finish: 2 (March, 2002)
This race last year: Start: 1; finish: 7; led 171 laps

A note here

Anoter quote (From Dale Jr. race preview)

Weekend schedule:
Nov. 1: Bud Pole qualifying, 3:00 p.m. SPEED/3 p.m. MRN
Nov. 2: NWCS Happy Hour, 12 p.m., TNT
Nov. 2: BGN Sam's Town 250, 1 p.m. TNT/1:00 p.m. MRN

*All times eastern

Quote from race report (From Martinsville race report)

Oct. 27: Dale Jr. and the Bud team finished 5th at Atlanta, their 5th consecutive top 10 and 2nd consecutive top 5.
Laps led: 4; Started: 12th
Money won:$75,870

2002 Winston Cup stats
    Poles: 2
    Starts: 33
    Wins: 2
    Top 5s: 10
    Top 10s: 15
    Current points standing: 11th (-484 from leader; -46 from 10th)

Have information on a Dale Jr. appearance or event? E-mail me and the information will appear in the next newsletter. Please note that I am not responsible for any misleading information. I only print what is given to me. In other words, don't kill the messenger!

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Fan of the Week
This week's fan contribution was made by Barbara in Maine, who had some wonderful thoughts to share: "I believe Dale Jr. is fulfilling the legacy of his father wonderfully well. He is so talented. He also seems to be so humble, and down to earth. For me...Nascar and Dale Jr. have (sort of) given me a reason to enjoy life again. For the last 7 years have been in a deep depression because of the loss of my husband of 39 years. Couldn't seem to get over it. Then decided to retire when I turned 65 in 2000. Had all kinds of bad things happen, but started to watch the races to keep my mind busy." [read more]

Fan photos and stories about their favorite driver can be found at the newsletter's Home site. Tell me why you should be Fan of the Week (think 'How bad have you got it?'). Every newsletter will feature a different fan. Or submit your story and/or photo and you might just see it here as part of a Fan of the Week feature.

Speak Out
Should there be more night races?

Deb, Fla.: Are you kidding? As a girl who grew up around dirt tracks, I'd give my left eye to see the Winston Cup guys run on dirt! What will make it interesting is a.) most of them don't have any experience, or much at all; and b.) dirt tracks are just fun. Period!

This week: Should there be drug testing in NASCAR? Speak Out

This week's poll
Would you like to see Jr. run a Craftsman Truck Series race? If you have an idea for a poll question, please e-mail me.

Last week's poll
Would you like to see Jr. run a Craftsman Truck Series race? 81% said he should wait, while 19% said he should do more now. Thanks to all who voted!

Trivia question
Congrats to Ted & Anita of Ohio who were the first to correctly answer last week's question: Dale Jr. clinched his second BGN championship here in 1999 and won how many races that year? Homestead (Editor's note: Jr. finished 42nd in that race due to a blown engine.)

This week's trivia
Dale Jr. clinched his second BGN championship here in 1999 and won how many races that year? If you know the answer and are the first to reply, you'll see your name here in the next newsletter. (Please include your location.) Submit answer

Another top 5!
When they're out to prove something, Dale Jr. and the Bud team sure know how to do it. Being only 46 points out of 10th, and less than double that from 9th (and only 123 from 8th, but who's counting?), there's definite reason for the 8 crew to tear up the remaining tracks and remind everyone why Jr. is called "The Dominator." These last few races are going to be fun, and as Michael Waltrip's spotter says: "Make sure you got your belts pulled real tight, cuz we're goin' racin'!"

A plus that occurred to me: I'm a weather buff, and at the sake of eating my words later, I believe the last 3 races will be rain-free. Phoenix and Homestead (which is about 3 hours from me, so I really do know this) are both fairly dry (and warm) this time of year. Provided there aren't any late-season hurricanes, it's a safe bet that The Rock will be dry as well. If I'm wrong, don't hesitate to send me hate mail.

As the offseason approaches, I've decided to go with it and enjoy the break. While I redesign the FBDJ Web site (with the help of my very good, very smart friend Lisa), I won't send out the newsletter. Let's face it, I can't make race stats happen, as much as I want to. Therefore, I'm opening up the FBDJ message board early. It's open now, and you don't have to be a member to post (tho if you do register, you can do nifty things like create a profile). There are a few categories, so check it out and post away. It is moderated, but we promise to be liberal in letting certain posts slide. If you wish to visit, just click on the link at the top of this newsletter and voila, instant posting karma.

Til next time, go Junior!
Jackie

P.S. I'm very proud and excited to announce that FBDJ is moving from Angelfire to its very own domain: http://www.fansbehinddalejr.com. I hope you guys enjoy! It promises to be a very comphrensive guide to Jr., DEI, and the fans.

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DISCLAIMER: Fans Behind Dale Jr. is in no way affiliated with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Earnhardt Inc., or NASCAR®. Winston Cup® and NASCAR® are registered trademarks of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. All photos/articles are property of their respective owners and protected by copyright law. The views expressed in articles posted here are not necessarily those of Fans Behind Dale Jr.