The Mystery of “Eight (8) “
Well, it looks like Junior will not have the number eight after all. But, why all the fuss?
Let's look at the mystical hold this number has and perhaps we can understand better why he wants to hold onto it (other than annoying Teresa).
Physics — it is the second ‘magic number’. (Ok, ok,’2’ is the first one)
Not sure how to classify it — In Dr.Timothy Leary’s world it is the highest stage of evolution -- the Model of Consciousness. Supposedly at this level one could operate beyond any concept of space and time and the limits of relativity. Hmmm ... I don’t think this is the reason. And it sounds too weird, anyway. We’re talking about racing after all, not E=mc2
Astronomy — there are now only 8 planets around our sun.
Hmmm... Junior and Pluto have something in common here, so this could be it.
Chemistry — It is the atomic number of oxygen. Well we might be getting closer as some events this season have sucked the air out.
History — the “War of the Eight Princes” around 300 A.D. This conflict greatly weakened the strength of the Jin Dynasty. Hmmm….any NASCAR lessons here?
Astrology — It is the sign of Scorpio, eighth sign of the Zodiac. (Closer, as Junior was born just before Scorpio)
Music —The Beatles had “Eight Days a Week.” Nah, even though everyone probably feels like they are working eight days a week to survive in NASCAR.
Literature — Eight apparitions appear to Macbeth. Ooh, spooky. (Wonder who they would be if they were NASCAR folk.)
Television — In the Stargate series, when you dialed an “8” chevron address you opened a wormhole to another galaxy. Hey, what a way to escape all this mess!
Slang (American) — Section 8 is common slang for "crazy." Well, we do have ‘silly season’ every year.
Slang (Chinese) — '8' is used in chat speak as a term for saying ‘bye’.
Wow, really similar vibe here, huh...
Elsewhere — It means eternity. No start and no end. (Almost like the rains at Michigan). Like: “It will be eternity before you get to use the number 8, buster.”
Oh well who knows why. I say pick either 88 (twice as good, 08, or even, dare I say it, 03).
Thanks to Wikipedia.com for all the enlightenment.
Michael
Comments
Sorry to put a serious spin on this post, I'd like to hear the business profs weigh in on this one. As mentioned by Mark Martin and others - this is the way that it has always been done. The owner keeps the number.
That doesn't necessarily make it a smart business move on Teresa's part. She had a chance to come to a licensing agreement and turn around her negative public image. Time will tell, but she isn't very popular right now, and DEI merchandising could suffer as a result.
Thoughts?
Posted by: thedope | August 22, 2007 5:02 PM
"Stay the course" has been a mantra for many politicians but I can't believe it's a mantra for NASCAR that will result in anything beneficial. Look at the changes over the last few years under Brian France's leadership -- clearly "stay the course" isn't on his agenda. Teresa didn't earn any points with Jr.'s fans, that's for sure. It remains to be seen who takes over the No. 8 car that may have the most impact on this non-deal. If I used "that's the way it has always been" in my business classroom, I'd be laughed out the door! Jon
Posted by: Jon Ackley | August 23, 2007 9:33 AM
As I understand NASCAR owns, and then leases a number, to a given team. As Jeff Gordon (and others I am sure) have noted
the number can become associated with those drivers who reach a certain level of 'stardom'. This was true in my day with not just the number 43
for Richard Petty but also his "Petty Blue:" color scheme. Boy did some fans howl when those STP colors came along.
But back to the numbers. It is a control issue in my opinion. Since I don't know the terms of any lease agreement, I have to assume that NASCAR makes out OK. After all, as you noted, there is gold to be made in merchandising. BUT, changing every now and then also extends sales by creating something 'new' (wink,wink). I personally think value for the 8 will be generated but just under a new driver. So the more things change the more they stay the same as the saying goes.
After all my favorite "8" didn't live long enough to see all this -- and that was Joe Weatherly.
Mike
PS - Of course real sadness will be all those number 8 "Dale Jr." tattoos out there. Now that may require some creativity to change.
Posted by: Michael Pitts | August 23, 2007 9:52 AM
Good stuff guys, thanks. It should definitely be interesting to see how all of this plays out - especially since it looks like the #8 will be a split driver situation between Martin and Almirola. Plenty of intrigue...
Posted by: thedope | August 24, 2007 5:03 AM
Heh, nice connotation. if Chinese say 8 for bye, then in gold sell wow it's the same. Because they say "8" if they don't want to sell it. LoL, I never understood it, but now I get it. Thanks for this.
Posted by: Nedim Sabic | September 4, 2007 9:51 AM
My date of birth number too is eight representing Saturn in numerology. According to astrology, it represents the dark side of fate. May be because my date number is one denoting the sun, I have ups and downs in life like the two phases of the moon...
Posted by: Mohan | September 6, 2007 12:29 AM