CONCORD, N.C -- Dale Earnhardt got the nickname "The Intimidator" because of his ability to intimidate.
I just hope Martin Truex Jr. isn't called "The Urinator" because of his ability to urinate.
I can just see it now. In a few years, when Truex is firmly ensconced as a perennial Chase threat, his competitors will cringe when they see the Great Urinator appear in their mirrors.
If you haven't heard already, Truex was issued a ticket last week in Daytona after a police officer spotted him answering the call of nature in public. Truex was only doing what every American male has done one or 1,000 times in their lifetime.
If anyone wants to play a funny practical joke, have a fake newspaper printed out with Truex's picture that is headlined; "Truex makes mark on Daytona."
Actually, this might be a good thing for Truex. Truex is an outstanding race car driver, but his voice never wavers above five decibels. Combine that with the fact his teammate is Dale Earnhardt Jr., and it is safe to say that he flies under the radar.
Needless to say, Truex has probably got more attention for a very minor incident than he did during his entire rookie season in the Nextel Cup Series.
This is not a horrible thing. Every man -- heck, I'll bet even Warren Buffet has done it -- has done what Truex did. And the fact that Truex waved a $100 bill while doing it only goes to show how funny he can be.
This is the perfect time for Truex to take advantage of the situation. He will end up paying a few hundred dollars in fines for the incident, but with a little marketing help, I'll bet he can turn that into several million bucks.
Here is how. The famous NASCAR marketing machine needs to roll with this one.
• You remember those great "Man in Black" t-shirts? Why not "Man in Yellow?"
• How about a t-shirt with Truex' picture on it that says "Whiz Kid"?
• Can't he sign a personal services contract to market those things people put on the back of their truck windows of the little kid (Calvin) doing the deed?
Truex issued a statement through his team on Tuesday just as the media -- all 300 of them -- are in Charlotte for the annual Nextel Cup Media Tour. I am not sure whether the timing was good or bad, because we all certainly have bigger -- and dryer -- issues to report than a minor incident that occurred several days ago.
I don't know Truex all that well. I have only spoken to him a few times, but he's a very down-to-earth, vastly underrated driver who fits in perfectly with his race team. In short, the incident should be looked upon as funny, and certainly not malicious. Truex never even raised his voice at the track in the four years he has been around.
It was certainly refreshing to see something in news that isn't an obituary (January was the roughest month in NASCAR in five years) or Car of Tomorrow-related.
I just wonder how hard Dale Earnhardt Jr. laughed when he heard what happened.
Well at least he has the right # car to go along with this. Just think, it could be a lot worse. It could have been Kurt Busch.
