Paint and sheet metal weren’t the only things traded this week following the crash-filled playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway. A flurry of 140-character jabs flew between competitors, too, when Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Landon Cassill openly discussed their drafting practices on Twitter.
It started Sunday when Dale Jr., making his final Talladega start, didn’t quite get the drafting help he was hoping to receive from Cassill – making his frustration known over team radio.
.@DaleJr not happy with Landon Cassill: “F*** Landon Cassill!” #NASCAR
– David Morgan (@damorgan86) October 15, 2017
In the end, Junior contended for the win after navigating through a series of multi-car crashes, including the Lap 173 “Big One” that ended Cassill’s day (and involved upwards of a dozen others – many of them playoff contenders).
After the race, the two traded barbs on Twitter (playful barbs, we think).
I don’t know if I do well in that one
– landon cassill (@landoncassill) October 16, 2017
Still waiting on my good friend Landon to draft with me pic.twitter.com/gHpP878Vh9
– Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) October 16, 2017
Dear Diary: I bailed on Dale yesterday. He made a tactical error, and I simply could not support his decision. I let JR Nation down, I’m sry https://t.co/2imME1MElI
– landon cassill (@landoncassill) October 16, 2017
– landon cassill (@landoncassill) October 16, 2017
Also, Dale can I get a ride home from Phoenix
– landon cassill (@landoncassill) October 16, 2017
We coulda been heroes.
– Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) October 16, 2017
Still not drafting with me 😫 pic.twitter.com/O0QuBswvhV
– Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) October 16, 2017
– landon cassill (@landoncassill) October 16, 2017
Junior, in the past, has heaped praise upon Cassill’s abilities…
I think should @landoncassill get another shot in great equipment he would get it done. His talent has improved over the last few years.
– Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) August 9, 2014
…but things are different now.
Back when I used to draft with Dale https://t.co/GWnS8ebWnr
– landon cassill (@landoncassill) October 16, 2017