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Published Friday, Oct. 23, 2009 | 4:21 p.m.
Updated Friday, Oct. 23, 2009 | 4:30 p.m.
One of the things I’ve always admired about Dale Earnhardt Jr. is his refreshing honesty. When the microphones and cameras engulf his space and the questions start to fly, you can always count on answers that are free of the sugarcoated, corporate speak we hear from so many of the Cup drivers.
Last week, while answering questions from the media about the future of crew chief Lance McGrew, Earnhardt again spoke with his usual honesty. And in the process, Earnhardt displayed his frustration with this season’s results when he said: “I’m about to the end of my rope on it.”
Then, as usually happens after comments like this, the Internet chat room and blogs were abuzz with the debate over why Earnhardt hasn’t been performing as expected. The most serious question is always whether or not Earnhardt has the talent to reach the high bar of expectations that the sport and the fans have chosen for him.
Earnhardt is a proven winner. We all know that. And we can speculate for hours as to why he hasn’t visited victory lane more frequently as a driver for the best racing organization in the sport. I hate to admit it, but I sometime wonder if Teresa Earnhardt wasn’t on to something when she challenged Jr. to make a decision about whether he wanted to be a public personality or a race car driver.
Adding to Earnhardt’s frustration is the fact that his teammates, one of which is 50 years old, are kicking his butt.
So here’s a wild thought. How would Earnhardt perform in Jimmie Johnson’s car and with Johnson’s team? Now, before you start commenting here that I’m insane for suggesting this, let me assure you that I know this isn’t a realistic suggestion.
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But I’m curious as to how Earnhardt might perform in the best car in the Hendrick stable. Would he be faster in the Lowe’s Chevy? Would he benefit from the expertise of the best crew chief in the Cup series? Is Johnson’s equipment better? Or would we see the same performance with Earnhardt behind the wheel of the No. 48 as we have seen from him behind the wheel of the No. 88?
It would be an interesting comparison to explore, but we all know that, unfortunately, it will never happen.
jr. was more competitive in the 8 car for some reason. that 24 vs. 8 car rivalry is gone. think that had a little to do with it. mark's preformance stepped way up with new equipment, sure curious that jr's hasn't
Junior would do good in the 48 car if he was in the passenger seat and Jimmie was driving. Everyone keeps saying that "Earnhardt is a proven winner". Bill Elliott is a proven winner; Terry Labonte is a proven winner. Do you expect them to go out each week a run in the top five and challenge for wins? Of course not...they are past their prime. Junior is past his prime. He just got there a lot quicker than most because he didn't have that much to work with when he started and he sure didn't work hard at trying to be the best that he could be.
When things are going real well for Jr., he has a good attitude and rim-rides around up front, but when he's in his usual troubles, he is impatient and ends up banging up his car, more trips to the pits, falls to 35th, etc. By contrast, watch Johnson fall back ten spots with a dropped lug nut pit stop, then watch him race his way back to the front: patience, control, skill. Like an aggressive Mark Martin, or a cool headed Tony Stewart, or a younger Jeff Gordon.
Four variables: 1) driver, 2) equipment, 3) crew, 4) racing luck. The 48 team has straight A's. The 88 team has a C,A,C,F. Improving the crew (especially the impact Knaus would bring) would move that grade to an A, and that could help Jr. to earn a B, however, his racing luck remains elusive. I think he could make The Chase if he was in the 48, just like Martin, Gordon, and Stewart's teams, all of whom have better drivers with comparable equipment and crews. But the 48 team with Johnson has four A's and will soon have four Championship rings.
To be honest, I think Chad is so smart, he could put a stronger car under Jr. But I don't think driving the 48 numbered car sponsered by Lowe's matters at all. Jr. needs to stop making track and pit road mistakes and grow a pair. No, you don't have to be your daddy, but when other drivers see you in their mirror, they could care less. When they see Stewart or Hamlin, they think utoh. When they see Martin or Johnson, they look to see if they are gaining on them, knowing they will race them clean. They just don't even consider Jr. at all. Jr., toughen up a little bit. Stop all the bu11 $h1t bar ownership and go cart screwing around and figure out who you want to be. But if this is it and this is what you want to be, try to be happy with your choices. And if you want to do it your way, god knows you have the money to do it. Buy into a existing Chevy team, like Stewart and do it already. No more excueses already.
Would JR be great in the 48? In a word, "no." Then again, neither would anybody else. Johnson and Knaus are the right match for each other--the same way Gordon and Everham were in the 24.
One thing to look at (other than JR just having a career slump, that is) is that NO multi-car team has done that well with all it's teams. Not RCR, not Roush, not Hendrick.
I think the problem is is that there has to be an "experiment" car and for Hendrick, the 25... err ... the 88 is it. It has been in the past and continues to be. Can that team win? Sure it can, but everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, has to go right: pit stops, track position, eliminating driver error, reducing mistakes period. And then you factor in luck...
I'm NOT a JR fan, nor am I a Johnson fan, but I respect their talent. And in JR's case I'll climb out on a limb and say he'll win again, end up with 30-35 wins for his career (which ain't bad), and maybe even win this year--maybe even at Martinsville or Talladega.
So, before you write him off, think about the other drivers who've had slumps in their career and reconsider.
doesnt matter what number is on dale jr's car - it depends on the whole crew - from the crew chief down to the tire changers etc. What about the week he was 4th and they left off a lug nut? OH did people forget that he was the driver not the tire changer?? People make mistakes - yes when he was in vegas beginning of the year he missed his pits - ok he has made some mistakes - doesnt every driver?? Ever see a driver make a pit mistake?? no body writes about them? Just Dale Jr - if people were to leave him alone - he would be ok -
I would like to see this:
Get Chad for his crew chief for a few races beginning of the year - have Rick do a temp switch and see what happens? And maybe put a PI in the Hendrick garages in NC to see who the John Wayne might be doing something to his car?? Ever think of that?? Rocket Scientists?? All 4 cars have the same everything - so you should ask your self - why is his transmission and motor in a few races blowing?? And the other 3 cars are not? There could be someone in the garage trying to fix it so he has trouble - I am sure money talks... I went to the garages 2 weeks ago and someone could be in there doing stuff to the 88 car?? Rick - if you read this - better take a look at all you employees that have access to the 5/88 building and look at what they are doing.. I am a JR Nation fan - no matter what...
I don't think you're paranoid, no sir, and I'm not RH, hell, I'm not even a rocket scientist, but I'll bet a buck that RH keeps a close eye on his $200 million investments in four Cup teams. I know businessmen with significantly smaller concerns (like two decimal places smaller) who routinely use PI's to verify that everything is tip-top.
Jr. ran a good second half today, despite a craptacular start. Kudos little E.
JJ and Co. did their typical excellent job today to rise to the penultimate spot...congrats on another solid performance.
I think a winning season has alot to do with a combination of car, driver and team. Even if you have a great driver but not enough sponsorship to get into a great car then you are at a compromise. So maybe its not all Jr's fault like alot of his anti-fans would like to say. GO JR GO!!