All weekend the media in Atlanta was told the winner of the Golden Corral 500 would be brought to the press box following victory lane celebrations. But, to the surprise of few, NASCAR announced at the last moment that “due to a major traffic jam outside the track,” Dale Earnhardt, Jr. would instead conduct his obligatory interview from the speedway’s infield media center. Several members of the print media openly questioned this decision to no avail. One went so far to ask NASCAR why the race winner simply couldn’t be brought to the opening at the flagstand where he could then walk up the grandstand steps (there were about 20 people still milling around in the stands at this point), board an elevator, and come to the press box as promised. While that cry of protest lingered for a few moments, others wondered if Earnhardt Jr.’s language during his postrace interview with PRN would bring a fine this week. Junior told PRN that after his Vegas debacle last week he would “keep testing even if I have to go two months without sleeping in my own D A M N bed.”(3-15-2004)
