#8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. received permission Saturday from his team’s sponsor, Budweiser, to have the in-car camera system it had paid for removed from his car. Each week several teams’ cars are equipped with the in-car systems. The systems are generally paid for by one or more of a team’s sponsors. With the system removed, Earnhardt Jr.’s team had to add 30 pounds of weight to offset the difference. Earnhardt Jr. sought the change following Saturday’s final 45-minute practice session. He said the in-car system’s weight was throwing off the balance of his car on the road course. “It was enough to kind of offset the balance of the car compared to when they were here testing,” said team publicist Jade Gurss. “They did have two test dates up here. The team was excited. Junior’s excited. “After they put the camera system in before practice, the weight differential was enough that he didn’t feel like it was balanced quite like it was before.” Earnhardt Jr. qualified sixth for Sunday’s Sirius at the Glen at Watkins Glen International. He was 12th fastest in Saturday’s first practice and third fastest in the final practice. Gurss said Budweiser did not have a problem with the request. “The executives at Budweiser have always told the team that performance is the key,” Gurss said.( ThatsRacin.com )(8-10-2003)
