Dale Earnardt, Jr. will not make the chase

[smyler]

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and his team were just penalized 100 points, which in it's self is a bad deal, but missing six points races without his crew chief is going to hurt him far worse.  We all saw what happened to Jr. 2 seasons ago when he and Tony parted ways for a season.  Right now, the penalty has dropped him to 14th in the points.  In fact, it looks like this right now:

10   +1   Carl Edwards   1291   -590   
11   -5   Kyle Busch   1281   -600
12   +1   Jamie McMurray   1214   -667   
13   +6   Ryan Newman   1163   -718   
14   -2   Dale Earnhardt Jr.   1160   -721   
15   -1   Mark Martin   1159   -722   
16   -1   Greg Biffle   1155   -726   
17   -1   Elliott Sadler   1127   -754   
18   +2   Martin Truex Jr.   1117   -764   
19   -1   Bobby Labonte   1107   -774

Dale would have to, without his crew chief, jump over both Ryan and Jamie.  Ok, that doesn't sound so hard, but he also has to stay ahead of Greg Biffle and Mark Martin.  A lot of people would love to see Mark go for it.  We'll see how that pans out.  I have to say that I think it's a better shot for Greg Biffle to make the chase than it is for Jr.  Carl and Kyle are both likely to stay in the top 12.  Even Bobby Labonte has a shot at it.  Sorry fans, but this penalty looks like it could be a killer.

Would it surprise me if Jr. buckles up and pulls off a few top 10's in a row, just to show he can?  I'm afraid it would, even with Tony, Jr. in the pits.  Don't mean to sound negative, but this is going to be one tough 6 week stretch. 

[The Voice]

NASCAR's idea that suspending crew chiefs hurts a driver's chances hasn't always  proven to be true. Several drivers have done better with "fill-in" chiefs after the suspensions.

[KurtBuschFan]

Either it'll be a tough 6 race stretch or he'll rally and run really well.  Jamie may not be a tough one to pass since he hasn't had that great of a time, but Ryan Newman has been heating things up lately.  It'll be interesting to see what happens.  And besides...we all know that if Jr doesn't make the chase they'll just adjust the points system...again.

[smyler]

Jr. without Eury, Jr. is far worse than JJ without Knauss.  HMS is much deeper than DEI is, manpower wise, IMHO.

[KurtBuschFan]

well yeah I agree with that.  Jr without Eury will probably be a nightmare, but maybe Jr will be worried less since he knows the news about him leaving TEI is out.  We'll just have to wait and see.

[Apache Racing]

That is why I was so pissed.
I can deal with the 100 points and 100K is chump change for Jr, But 6 races without having the familiar voice in your ear, the one you rely on as gospel is going to hurt IMO.
That's why I said Nascar went to far, and I stand by that statement.

Nascar is just asking for riots if Jr. misses the chase.

Long live the Jr. Nation

Duck

[Chris]

hhuummm
I think's it's possible Jr may fall on the 'edge'
Beating Martin will be no problem.  He has no plans to run all the races between now and the cut... so Jr will automatically beat him
Newman seems to have a feel for the new car,.. and has been running much better lately overall.... so I think Newman could make the chase in any event.
I think McMurray's "hot streak" is about to cool off.... so he may very well fall in the standings.
Biffle is the only one on the list that might pass Jr.... everyone else is probably about where they should be.  I don't see them moving up much.. mostly because of the teams they are on and the teams problems.

[FS_Amy]

IF Junior misses the Chase (and it's still a long way to go) his team has nobody to blame but themselves.  No matter HOW small the part in question was, it was overlooked-something that, at this level, you just cannot do. 

The teams that are good enough (48, 17) can perform without a crew chief.  Again if a team doesn't have that depth or level of communication-nobody to blame but themselves.

Junior is one of my favorite drivers, but (trust me on this, I'm a Kenny Wallace fan!) the world that is NASCAR won't end if he misses the Chase.  If your favorite driver can't win every week, well, just enjoy the ride and the rest of the race.

[highbank]

Have they announced who is going to fill in for TYJ??

If it happens to be Tony Sr.....I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[FS_Amy]

Have they announced who is going to fill in for TYJ??

If it happens to be Tony Sr.....I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Pops would be awfully tired at the end of the races-he's Paul Menard' crew chief!

[flamehothead]

Jr. without Eury, Jr. is far worse than JJ without Knauss.  HMS is much deeper than DEI is, manpower wise, IMHO.

That is unless they give Menard a Substitute CC and Tony Sr moves over to Dale Jr for 6 races. If there smart they will do that but if Teresa has anything to do with it then we know what will happen lol.

By the way, Everybody like my new Avatar? Thats where Mikeys shop used to be lmao. Empty slab of concrete.

[south jersey girl]

Have they announced who is going to fill in for TYJ??

If it happens to be Tony Sr.....I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Tony Gibson will take Eury Jr's place as crew chief during the suspesion...(found it on Jayski)

[smyler]

So, do you think that running the RCR engines will be enough of an edge to move them up one or two spots, by Richmond?

[Apache Racing]

So, do you think that running the RCR engines will be enough of an edge to move them up one or two spots, by Richmond?

Well, are they combining as of now or in the future is the question.
I read they are building a joint structure Ect. But I didn't see anything with a timetable for engine sharing.

Anyone else have that info?
I think if they immediately start to combine info/engines Jr's chances have increased since yesterday.

Duck

[Chris]

I think that Theresa is a big enough Biotch that she'd LOVE to see Jr miss the chase...
SO if new motor will HELP... I'd say it'll start AFTER he's gone.