Kansas Speedway buzz: Dale Earnhardt Jr. appreciates Ned Yost’s support

Royals manager Ned Yost developed a close relationship with Dale Earnhardt through hunting trips and conversations around the garage before the driver died in a crash in the 2001 Daytona 500.

It’s a kinship that endures through Earnhardt’s son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is in town for Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.

“I read a couple of articles where he was real pleased with how we did in Daytona,” Earnhardt said. “Knowing his friendship with my dad, it’s pretty cool that he is watching me. That meant a really good deal to me.

“He is a genuine guy with a genuine appreciation and friendship with my father. It means a lot to me that he follows me still to this day, and I think that I want to see him do well as much. … We don’t really have consistent contact with each other, but there is a mutual respect for sure.”

Kansas Speedway excited to be part of KC’s big week

Kansas Speedway president Pat Warren was a high school junior when the Royals won the World Series in 1985, so he understands the sports-related civic euphoria that has swallowed Kansas City.

He’s also glad his outfit can be part of the fun, which included a “Monday Night Football” game, the Royals’ amazing AL Wild Card Game comeback and foray into the AL Division Series, and the weekend’s NASCAR races.

“It’s neat to see success in Kansas City, because I think success begets success,” Warren said. “The better we are, the better we all are.”

Sunday will be a particularly jam-packed day with the Sprint Cup race at 1 p.m., the Chiefs seeking a three-game win streak against San Francisco at 3:25 p.m. and game three of the Royals’ series with the Angels at 6:37 p.m.

“The way it’s worked out has been perfect,” Warren said. “If somebody had tried to script this, with all the things that go into scheduling — TV, leagues and all the stuff that happens — you could never do it.”

Edwards the reporter

Carl Edwards, one of the 12 drivers remaining in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, will serve as the in-race reporter for ESPN’s telecast of Sunday’s race.

Edwards, of Columbia, will speak with analyst Dale Jarrett during the pace laps and during caution periods. After the race, Edwards will join the ESPN Pit Studio team for additional analysis on SportsCenter.

ESPN bows out

After eight years of coverage, this weekend will mark ESPN’s final trip to Kansas Speedway. Fox and NBC will take over televising both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup series next season.

“To think that it’s over in seven more weeks, it’s hard to believe,” said Jarrett, in his seventh year as an analyst after his Hall of Fame driving career. “I just enjoy this so much. ... I like being around the sport, and the people I work with at ESPN are just incredible. They work hard at what they do and work hard to bring a good product to the fans. You know you’re not going to make everybody happy...”

Jarrett isn’t sure what is in his future.

“I have had conversations with race teams about doing some things and with some sponsors,” Jarrett said. “There is a possibility of a TV opportunity.”

Money talks

Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has won titles under various formats, so he wasn’t about to criticize past Chase formulas.

He also wasn’t prepared to declare any affection for the new system, which eliminates drivers from contention and resets driver points every three races.

“I want what the fans find exciting and what keeps our sponsors around and what keeps the sport growing,” Johnson said. “I’m probably the worst guy to ask if he likes this point system, but all indications show that there’s a lot of excitement. Ad buys are going up, sponsorships are renewing and new sponsors are coming in. As long as we see that trend, I don’t care what the format is.”

Kenseth the author

NASCAR’s Matt Kenseth and his wife, Katie, have produced a children’s book, “Matt Kenseth’s Race Against Bullying.” Kenseth, who has three young children and an older son who competed in Friday night’s ARCA race, addressed issues in his book that confront children and provides information for them to become more self-confident when faced with bullying.

“As a parent of three small children, it’s natural to worry about the issues they face while growing up,” Kenseth said. “Openly talking about these issues is the best way to prepare them. This book is designed to help families discuss the effects of bullying with their kids. It’s important our kids not only know how to deal with a bully, but also understand it’s not OK to act like one.”

This story was originally published October 3, 2014 at 6:44 PM with the headline "Kansas Speedway buzz: Dale Earnhardt Jr. appreciates Ned Yost’s support."