Earnhardt is mindful and respectful of the fact that the other four Corvette drivers are going for the championship. RON FELLOWS and JOHNNY O'CONNELL are leading the GTS class in points, 17 points ahead of the next competitors, TERRY BORCHELLER and JOHNNY MOWLEM. The other Corvette drivers, OLIVIER BERETTA and OLIVER GAVIN, are in third place with 36 points. Corvette is leading the manufacturer's standings, 66 to 45 ahead of Saleen, with the same point spread between the two in the GTS Team Championship standings.
It should be interesting to watch the driver changes on the two drivers, who look like Mutt and Jeff. Earnhardt likened himself and Said to ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER and DANNY da VITO in
Twins. Earnhardt said it might be easier for him to start the race so the lap belts wouldn't have to be changed. Driver changes aren't something he does all the time. When he ran the Rolex 24 Hour race, the crew literally grabbed him by the collar and yanked him out of the car.
"Hopefully they'll just do that here, too," he smiled.
Earnhardt said he would love to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans - obviously, you have to say yes. But the Sears Point [
his words] and
Daytona races are the only non-conflictual events. Le Mans is an experience he'd like to have, whether he won or lost. Fehan said Earnhardt has an open invite, to PLM or any other race. Junior said "There is no question I'm in the best car in the field. I didn't have to think twice about it when they gave me the opportunity. It's a lot of fun and it's great people. They love racing, they take care of themselves and each other."
Junior said he was surprised that the series hasn't caught on in the United States. "But who's to say it won't?"
Just_a few comments, of many, from other ALMS drivers this weekend, regarding Earnhardt in their midst: JAMES WEAVER said "I understand he is a proper chap." JORG BERGMEISTER said "Well, he's 'The Man' in the US, and it should be really fun to have him in our series." Team-mate OLIVER GAVIN said "He's a character." Co-driver Said remarked that Junior is a smart man, a good driver, and the 'Aw Shucks' act is BS!
