Junior Needs a Fresh Start

I'm not sure bringing Tony Eury, Jr. as Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s crew chief next season at Hendrick Motorsports is the best idea.

I realize the closeness between the two, their relationship as friends and relatives. But if Junior is truly committed to winning races and championships as he said he was in his move from DEI to Hendrick, I believe a new crew chief would better serve his goal.

The track record Hendrick has with its personnel is impeccable. Whenever the team needs a new chief to call the shots for one of its teams it finds them, whether it's in a fill-in situation such as the suspensions of Chad Knaus and Steve Letarte caused, or when one of its team members are put into full-time crew chief roles.

Dale Jr would have been better suited to have Hendrick align him with one of its current personnel. It's a fresh start for Junior with a new team, car, crew, sponsor and number. Dragging along his old crew chief is baggage that I think he'd be better off without.

The likes of a Darian Grubb or Alan Gustafson would have helped Junior make the transition to Hendrick and the way that team works, hardly something you can argue with based on the past success as well as what the team has already done this year.

If Junior is going to make a change in his professional life, he shouldn't have let his personal relationships get in the way.

 
Posted: 9/4/2007 1:21:00 PM
Comments:
Jr would have benefited greatly by having alan gustafson as a crew chief. kyle is a great driver but alan always had the best equipment under him.  jr will still have to deal with history and family by bringing tony jr along.  bless them all they are great drivers and great crew. Wishing jr well by and dyed and true gordan fan

Posted On: 9/4/2007 1:21:00 PM
Being one of Jr's biggest fans, I would have to agree with this. DEI and the personnel hasn't worked so far. The two Jr's are on the outside looking in on the Chase. Three of Hendricks Crew Chiefs aren't even on the bubble for the Chase.
Posted On: 9/4/2007 1:21:00 PM
I was really disappointing when Jr. never made the Chase. But was it really HIS fault...The blown motors killed his changes. I hate the fact that he'll be driving with Jeff and Jimmie, but he needs away from DEI and Theresa. Taking Tony Jr. along, well we will have to wait and see. Jr. tried before going it without Tony Jr. and that never worked out to good. Let's just give Jr. a chance and see what happens next year.... But driving for Hendricks or DEI, I will never jump ship. He is my favorite driver....
Posted On: 9/4/2007 1:21:00 PM
I have to agree on this 100%. Jr should of jumped ship and left behind everyone else but now you've got the same crew chief calling the shots and even though they work well together, at times, Jr should of gotten someone from Hendrick as a crew chief.
Posted On: 9/4/2007 1:21:00 PM
What Jr really needs is some drive and ambition.  Like it or not, I think Theresa was right when she said Jr needed to decide whether it wanted to be a stock car driver or celebrity.  I think he is a great guy but actually he is just following in Kyle Petty's foot steps
Posted On: 9/4/2007 1:21:00 PM
Well, maybe the sleeping with him didn't make her an expert, but I'd think that she's spent a lot of time in the company of some very smart racing people who were winning races and championships and her opinion shouldn't be dismissed just because she and Jr. don't get along.

I think the comparison to Kyle is very apt. Jr. wouldn't be the most popular driver and wouldn't have the sponsors and endorsement deals if his name wasn't Earnhardt. He hasn't earned his place like most NASCAR drivers have to.

I don't dislike any of these drivers but I like to see them fight it out on a level playing field. If Jr. takes off next year and wins a bunch of races and contends for the championship, I'll be very happy for him. Until then, he's just a mid pack guy. Racing wins are what matter, not your last name.

Gageezer
Posted On: 9/4/2007 1:21:00 PM
Dale Jr has as many wins with Tony Jr as his Crew Chief as he does when they took a year off, that number would be one! One race with him and one with Steve Hmiel calling the shots. I am hard pressed as to how Tony Jr. helps Dale.. Other than being a guy Dale can yell and scream at over the radio, I see no purpose for Tony Jr. to follow Dale to HMS. I just hope Darien Grubb will be his Engineer, it's the only help us Jr fans have for a good 2008 season.
Posted On: 9/4/2007 1:21:00 PM
gageezer,
Since when does sleeping with somone  make you an expert on anything.   I think Jr has a lot of drive and ambition.   I would rather see him without Tony Jr at HMS but I am willing to wait and see what they can do.
Big Carl,
Kyle Petty has only won 8 NASCAR CUP races in his entire career. JR has already won more that twice that.  Remember he is NOT SR,  he is himself.
Posted On: 9/4/2007 1:21:00 PM
Big Carl,

Thanks for mentioning Kyle Petty. That's who I always think of when I think of Jr.

You might not like Theresa, but she slept with the man who's arguably the best stock car driver ever, so I don't think her opinion can be ignored.

Gageezer
Posted On: 9/4/2007 1:21:00 PM

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