Dale Jr. Stealing the show from jimmie Johnson?

[DougS]

If your a serious Nascar fan then there is no way you missed any news about the Dale Jr. press-conference held on Thursday at LMS. Becuase it's been splattered in every Nascar news show and several online articles. If you have I'll give you the cliff notes version.

"He's at the end of his rope" "He needs a dictator to be his crew chief" "He's very frustrated" "He doesn't know how to fix what's broken"

This press conference has writers and bloggers going nuts since last Thursday afternoon.

Yesterday one writer from Daytona wrote a "what-if" thinking out loud colloum that if he has the same disaterous results next year HMS will release him and he'll go to RCR replacing Kevin Harvick and the #3 would be back in NASCAR. (Just for those that don't follow the truck series, RCR will run a #3 truck next year for Austin Dillion his grandson, and has run a black #3 in limited starts in both NNS and CWTS this year)

Today David Newton has written this article here: http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/columns/story?columnist=newton_david&id=4582036
This article is about Dale Jr. but he never talked to Jr. about the article. Instead he talks to Tony Gibson, who was Dale's CC for a year at DEI when the #8 and #15 teams switched crews. The cliff notes version Dale Jr. can't cope without having some ties to someone that's been with him since his early days at DEI.

This article as you can imagine has Jr. Nation ready to burn Rick Hendrick at the stake for not providing Jr. with the right people that support him. There's even an online petition that's going to get sent to HMS requesting the top personnel at Hendrick are put on the #88 for next year. (Reading between the lines it sounds like they want to force Chad Knaus over to the #88) I think Rick Hendrick is quite aware of how big Jr. Nation. And that is not going to change how he runs his buisness.

Now there's always two sides to a story. David Newton came at his story from a completly un-expected angle. I've got a different angle.

Is this the same Dale Jr. who hinted since he announced his departure from DEI he didn't get top equipment, about the same time 3 years ago?
Is this the same Dale Jr. who about this time last year was complaining that the season was too long?
Is this the same Dale Jr. who's now at the end of his rope?

What if Tony Gibson is right. Dale is lost without some of his past connections. Now lets throw in a car change. Lets throw in a team change.

Can Dale jr really cope with all that change? Is Dale Jr. really a prima donna and can't work with anyone except who he chooses? Is Dale jr truly committed for an entire season? Was this a cry of mercy or a cry for help?

Or is it better for the attention to shift to Junior and give the writers something else to focus on besdies Jimmie Jonson?

Either way the #88 is in trouble and that will always be "news".

[S.D. Grady]

Dale who?   

Playing devil's advocate...there has always been a mythical R&D team over at Hendrick.  For years, one of the four teams always seemed to suck.  Thus the legend of the R&D.  This year, clearly Johnson, Gordon and Martin are all in top equipment.  Yes, Jr. has had more bad luck than you can shake a stick at, but what if...he's got the R&D car?  What if his "crying" is justified?   We all wondered when Martin signed with Hendrick where that test team was gonna go...

Anyway, at this point I'd rather read about Dale Jr.'s misery (however made-up it might be) than more glowing descriptions of the No. 48.  Enough already!

He does need an iron hand on top of the pit box.  If you listen to him during the race, he really cusses out the team when the car's not working.  He won't just accept what the CC says to do to his car.  It's the way he works.  When that car's working, he makes jokes, laughs, Woo Hoo!  It's night and day.

Prima Donna?  I don't really think so.  He really wants to win. He has a hard time discussing how to fix the car without emotion.  That's a great thing to have in a driver--the emotion.  It helps when you can actually help your team fix the damn thing, though. 

Keeping past co-workers with him didn't net results.  It might make him "feel" better, but it doesn't add to the bottom line.  Sorry Jr.

I don't think Dale Jr. will ever drive the black #3, unless it's in a parade lap.  That's his father's memory.  It's better for Junior to leave it that way.  A different driver behind the wheel?  By all means!  That number hasn't been retired and shouldn't be.

[FS_Amy]

I don't really think it's good or bad if the Junior story is center stage.  I think that handing Jimmie Johnson the trophy with five races to go, including Talladega, is premature and silly, and therefore, not really news.  If he wins a fourth straight title, becoming the only Cup driver to do so, then that will deservedly garner the headlines.  I love seeing history made in any sport. (And don't argue Chase champ vs. "old" champ here; because then you also have to argue the pre-modern-era champ, who could cherrypick races off a monster schedule)

But, as for Junior, I really don't know what is wrong.  Junior isn't the caliber of driver that his teammates are, but he's certainly not a backmarker-it takes talent and plenty of it to win 18 Cup races.  The crew chief change SHOULD have helped.  Junior isn't great at communicating the car, at least not to the level that a driver like Johnson is, so maybe Tony Eury, Sr. was just that much better at reading Junior and interpreting what he said?  With Pops, Junior was a championship caliber driver.  But even if Pops could be convinced to return, it's been years since he worked on a Cup car-and technology moves so fast these days, I'm not sure if he could catch up fast enough.

BUT, when Junior was at DEI and winning, DEI was still, to some extent, being run the way it was conceived, and Junior drove the flagship car-perhaps there was an equipment advantage that he doesn't see at Hendrick.  Perhaps, even if you have the exact same equipment as Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson, it can't make you that level of driver.  He's never getting more than 5 HP less than any Henrick car, so that isn't the issue. 

Junior SHOULD be winning races-but he isn't.  And I can't see another team changing that right now, least of all the RCR No. 3, where he would face, if that's even possible, even MORE pressure to win, MORE pressure to be like a man that, in reality, he isn't a whole lot like.

There is one last reason that comes to mind.  Perhaps, just maybe, his heart isn't in it anymore. 

[scott b]

Junior isn't great at communicating the car, at least not to the level that a driver like Johnson is, so maybe Tony Eury, Sr. was just that much better at reading Junior and interpreting what he said? 

Call it reading the driver, or chemistry, or whatever you want... but you are on to something here.

Junebug and Tony Sr. had it.  Davey Allison and Larry Mac had it.  Jimmy Fennig and just about every young driver he worked with had it.  Other times, even if you have a good driver and a good chief, they just don't click.

I couldn't tell you why, I'm not a sports psychologist... but I can tell you when I see it working.

[scott b]

Also, as far as Jr leaving Hendrick, I don't see that happening before his current contract expires.  In spite of the on track results, the business side of the deal is working and Junior is still on the marketing A-list.  Contracts can always be broken, but I can't imagine Hendrick having motivation to consider an early release... Jr may not be winnng, but he's still a cash cow.

[Tyyrus]

Call it reading the driver, or chemistry, or whatever you want... but you are on to something here.

Junebug and Tony Sr. had it.  Davey Allison and Larry Mac had it.  Jimmy Fennig and just about every young driver he worked with had it.  Other times, even if you have a good driver and a good chief, they just don't click.

I couldn't tell you why, I'm not a sports psychologist... but I can tell you when I see it working.

Jimmy Fenning just could read between the lines , a master of care set up , much like Chad Knaus with JJ . I Hope the Ole Master keeps his hand in with Roush somewhere forever !

[skool]

Im not a Jr hater or anything, but the simple fact is, If he wasn't named 'Dale Earnhardt, Jr.', and was just another Cup driver, he'd be out looking for another ride, the victim of silly season, no on track results, and a sagging economy, just like alot of other mediocre drivers.

The fact that his name IS Earnhardt, and he IS a cash cow for whoever handles him, is the only reason he has a job.

[Chris]

Im not a Jr hater or anything, but the simple fact is, If he wasn't named 'Dale Earnhardt, Jr.', and was just another Cup driver, he'd be out looking for another ride, the victim of silly season, no on track results, and a sagging economy, just like alot of other mediocre drivers.

The fact that his name IS Earnhardt, and he IS a cash cow for whoever handles him, is the only reason he has a job.

AMEN Skool...
People always say something on a Positive side about Jr has 18 wins.  but they FORGET many fo those wins came at Dega and Daytona when DEI had a decided advantage in the aero department.   Take those away and he's even more of a "mediocre" driver.
Jr is no better than a Matt Kesnseth (of current drivers racing)  You never hear folks splashing stuff all over the news about Kenseth... and HE's a PAST CHAMPION.
Heck even Geoff Bodine has 18 wins... and on ALL kinds of tracks
Kyle Busch is not well liked, but he already has 16 CUP wins in a MUCH MUCH shorter time than Jr has been driving...

If Jr was the driving phenom the news and his fans make him out to be,... he should have AT LEAST 40 wins, and a couple titles...
Here he is in JUST as good equipment as any of his HMS teammates,... yet it seems he can't hold a candle to any of them.
If you'll all remember MANY people commented here when Jr first went to HMS that it would show his TRUE talent.  He'd either perform and be competative or PROVE he was never as talented as people gave him credit for.
It's easy to see the jury has come in and what the facts are.

[Tyyrus]

The fact that his name IS Earnhardt, and he IS a cash cow for whoever handles him, is the only reason he has a job.

Yep I agree , you pretty well sum up Jr's Credentials lol ! Very likeable but not the top of talent charts in my opinion .

[CodeBlueEMT]

 I think Jr's biggest problem is not being able to drive the COT. There are plenty of other drivers in the same boat. For whatever reason, guys that used to be able to get it done on the track find themselves at a loss with the COT. JMHO.

 Shayne

[rebel chick]

Jimmy Fenning just could read between the lines , a master of care set up , much like Chad Knaus with JJ . I Hope the Ole Master keeps his hand in with Roush somewhere forever !

I hope Jimmy F does get away from the Ole Master.  Jimmy is much the same caliber as CK.  I hope when his contract is up at RF racing, Jimmy goes to a team at the Cup level and displays the talent he has. And wins another championship.  Just my two cents worth.

[SMOKEN14]

I personally think JR'S problem is he is still pissed the wicked witch step mom Teresa stole the company SR was building for his kids

[Tyyrus]

I hope Jimmy F does get away from the Ole Master.  Jimmy is much the same caliber as CK.  I hope when his contract is up at RF racing, Jimmy goes to a team at the Cup level and displays the talent he has. And wins another championship.  Just my two cents worth.

What the Cat in the Hat piss in your Oat Meal lol !

[20forLogano]

Dale who?   

Playing devil's advocate...there has always been a mythical R&D team over at Hendrick.  For years, one of the four teams always seemed to suck.  Thus the legend of the R&D.  This year, clearly Johnson, Gordon and Martin are all in top equipment.  Yes, Jr. has had more bad luck than you can shake a stick at, but what if...he's got the R&D car?  What if his "crying" is justified?   We all wondered when Martin signed with Hendrick where that test team was gonna go...

Anyway, at this point I'd rather read about Dale Jr.'s misery (however made-up it might be) than more glowing descriptions of the No. 48.  Enough already!

He does need an iron hand on top of the pit box.  If you listen to him during the race, he really cusses out the team when the car's not working.  He won't just accept what the CC says to do to his car.  It's the way he works.  When that car's working, he makes jokes, laughs, Woo Hoo!  It's night and day.

Prima Donna?  I don't really think so.  He really wants to win. He has a hard time discussing how to fix the car without emotion.  That's a great thing to have in a driver--the emotion.  It helps when you can actually help your team fix the damn thing, though. 

Keeping past co-workers with him didn't net results.  It might make him "feel" better, but it doesn't add to the bottom line.  Sorry Jr.

I don't think Dale Jr. will ever drive the black #3, unless it's in a parade lap.  That's his father's memory.  It's better for Junior to leave it that way.  A different driver behind the wheel?  By all means!  That number hasn't been retired and shouldn't be.

I believe 100% Rick Hendrick is not R&D'ing Junior.  The one thing he wants to do is be the car owner that brings Junior and his legion of fans his first Cup title.  Rick is not taking the chance of being one of the most hated men in Nascar which he was before he brought Junior on board. 
But S.D. I do believe there are R&D cars in organizations.

[20forLogano]

I don't really think it's good or bad if the Junior story is center stage.  I think that handing Jimmie Johnson the trophy with five races to go, including Talladega, is premature and silly, and therefore, not really news.  If he wins a fourth straight title, becoming the only Cup driver to do so, then that will deservedly garner the headlines.  I love seeing history made in any sport. (And don't argue Chase champ vs. "old" champ here; because then you also have to argue the pre-modern-era champ, who could cherrypick races off a monster schedule)

But, as for Junior, I really don't know what is wrong.  Junior isn't the caliber of driver that his teammates are, but he's certainly not a backmarker-it takes talent and plenty of it to win 18 Cup races.  The crew chief change SHOULD have helped.  Junior isn't great at communicating the car, at least not to the level that a driver like Johnson is, so maybe Tony Eury, Sr. was just that much better at reading Junior and interpreting what he said?  With Pops, Junior was a championship caliber driver.  But even if Pops could be convinced to return, it's been years since he worked on a Cup car-and technology moves so fast these days, I'm not sure if he could catch up fast enough.

BUT, when Junior was at DEI and winning, DEI was still, to some extent, being run the way it was conceived, and Junior drove the flagship car-perhaps there was an equipment advantage that he doesn't see at Hendrick.  Perhaps, even if you have the exact same equipment as Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson, it can't make you that level of driver.  He's never getting more than 5 HP less than any Henrick car, so that isn't the issue. 

Junior SHOULD be winning races-but he isn't.  And I can't see another team changing that right now, least of all the RCR No. 3, where he would face, if that's even possible, even MORE pressure to win, MORE pressure to be like a man that, in reality, he isn't a whole lot like.

There is one last reason that comes to mind.  Perhaps, just maybe, his heart isn't in it anymore. 

Just like Larry Mac said last nignt.  The only team who can beat the 48 is the 48