[Chaos_Theory]

any ideas why Dale Jr is doing so poorly this season?

my opinion is that the chemistry among the team is lacking, and how can you be quick during practices and lose it during the races, and the guy on the pit box (IMO) doesnt know what he's doing, of course Dale Jr missing his pit box a couple of races aint helping either

as a Dale Jr fan this is getting pretty old......:yikes:

[mrfootball03]

any ideas why Dale Jr is doing so poorly this season?

my opinion is that the chemistry among the team is lacking, and how can you be quick during practices and lose it during the races, and the guy on the pit box (IMO) doesnt know what he's doing, of course Dale Jr missing his pit box a couple of races aint helping either

as a Dale Jr fan this is getting pretty old......:yikes:

I'm not trying to be mean when I say this, but Dale Jr. just isn't that talented, Coupled with the fact it just doesn't seem like his heart is in it anymore. I'm sure that has something to do with the loss of his father doing this sport. It seems like he just goes through the motions because hes Dale Jr. and that what hes supposed to do being the Intimidator's offspring that bares the same legendary name. I just don't believe he his happy with his life right now, therefor he never has his mind on the race like he needs to. (case in point- the many times he has passed his pit box). I feel sorry for the guy, but hes just not going to be the driver his father was. Its not his fault, but thats what everyone expects because hes the son of the legend.

[HAIL PIKEVILLE!]

I'm not trying to be mean when I say this, but Dale Jr. just isn't that talented, Coupled with the fact it just doesn't seem like his heart is in it anymore. I'm sure that has something to do with the loss of his father doing this sport. It seems like he just goes through the motions because hes Dale Jr. and that what hes supposed to do being the Intimidator's offspring that bares the same legendary name. I just don't believe he his happy with his life right now, therefor he never has his mind on the race like he needs to. (case in point- the many times he has passed his pit box). I feel sorry for the guy, but hes just not going to be the driver his father was. Its not his fault, but thats what everyone expects because hes the son of the legend.

Not talented? You dont amass 20 cup wins, A Daytona 500 win and 2 Busch titles without some talent. Is he the most talented on the circuit? No but hes already proven he can drive. As far as his heart not being in it let me lay this example on you: Say you go to work every day and the first half of the day goes great. But, when you come back from lunch your boss has essentialy screwed up everything so badly that theres no getting out of it and youre just trying to hang on till quit time. If you knew your job was going to go like that every day then you wouldnt be so ethusiastic about your job would you? Dale Jr has put up with this ever since Tony Jr took over. Now heres where I blame Dale Jr. He should have never brought Tony Jr with him from DEI. I realize that the guy is Jrs cousin but he should made a clean break while he could when he went to Hendrick. As far as Jr never being his father thats about the only completely true statement you made but let me go one further: THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER DALE SR. Hendrick will make a change as early as the next few weeks with JRs team hes just trying to find the right fit for Jr as far as a crew chief goes and then the change will be made and then you will see a different race car driver after that IMO.

[Playboy5]

I think Dale Jr. is the 4th best driver on there own team..Of course the 3 in front of him are pretty good, lol!

[Stardust]

Since when has Jr been "GREAT"?

[Chaos_Theory]

Not talented? You dont amass 20 cup wins, A Daytona 500 win and 2 Busch titles without some talent. Is he the most talented on the circuit? No but hes already proven he can drive. As far as his heart not being in it let me lay this example on you: Say you go to work every day and the first half of the day goes great. But, when you come back from lunch your boss has essentialy screwed up everything so badly that theres no getting out of it and youre just trying to hang on till quit time. If you knew your job was going to go like that every day then you wouldnt be so ethusiastic about your job would you? Dale Jr has put up with this ever since Tony Jr took over. Now heres where I blame Dale Jr. He should have never brought Tony Jr with him from DEI. I realize that the guy is Jrs cousin but he should made a clean break while he could when he went to Hendrick. As far as Jr never being his father thats about the only completely true statement you made but let me go one further: THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER DALE SR. Hendrick will make a change as early as the next few weeks with JRs team hes just trying to find the right fit for Jr as far as a crew chief goes and then the change will be made and then you will see a different race car driver after that IMO.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that dislikes Tony Jr...I agree with you that Jr should never have brought him to HMS, he really has no clue as to what he's doing. I think Tony Sr. was the best crew chief for Jr, but he's in Nationwide now...I really wish he could come back to Jr in the cup series...I bet then Jr would start winning, I don't know.

I know Jr isn't the most talented driver out there, but still, the man has talent. Like you said, he's proven that with two back to back Natiowide titles, a Daytona 500 win, and career wins. I don't believe he'll win a race let alone a championship with his cousin on the pit box.

[BCF4L]

Tony Jr. is a problem with that team, but he's not the only problem. Like the poster above me said, Dale Jr. just isn't a good driver. You get him away from Talladega, Daytona, and Richmond and he isn't worth a crap. He can't tell you what's wrong with the car and he can't tell you what to do to fix it. All Dale Jr. is is a name. His daddy was a big shot that was loved by the majority and could race. Dale Jr. is a big shot that is loved by the majority, but must take his racing skills from his mother. Dude will never win a championship and may never win another race.

If Hendrick wants to fix the problem, he needs to take Allan Gustofson (sp?) from Mark Martins team and move Tony Jr. to the 5 car and see if that makes a difference. That is how you will be able to tell who the problem is.

[rallo316]

Dale Jr is as talented as any one, the problem is Tony Jr don't know the what is doing why he did not take 2 tires and try to get Dale Jr in some clean air is beyond me.

[Stardust]

Tony Jr. is a problem with that team, but he's not the only problem. Like the poster above me said, Dale Jr. just isn't a good driver. You get him away from Talladega, Daytona, and Richmond and he isn't worth a crap. He can't tell you what's wrong with the car and he can't tell you what to do to fix it. All Dale Jr. is is a name. His daddy was a big shot that was loved by the majority and could race. Dale Jr. is a big shot that is loved by the majority, but must take his racing skills from his mother. Dude will never win a championship and may never win another race.

If Hendrick wants to fix the problem, he needs to take Allan Gustofson (sp?) from Mark Martins team and move Tony Jr. to the 5 car and see if that makes a difference. That is how you will be able to tell who the problem is.

Good post

[HAIL PIKEVILLE!]

Tony Jr. is a problem with that team, but he's not the only problem. Like the poster above me said, Dale Jr. just isn't a good driver. You get him away from Talladega, Daytona, and Richmond and he isn't worth a crap. He can't tell you what's wrong with the car and he can't tell you what to do to fix it. All Dale Jr. is is a name. His daddy was a big shot that was loved by the majority and could race. Dale Jr. is a big shot that is loved by the majority, but must take his racing skills from his mother. Dude will never win a championship and may never win another race.

If Hendrick wants to fix the problem, he needs to take Allan Gustofson (sp?) from Mark Martins team and move Tony Jr. to the 5 car and see if that makes a difference. That is how you will be able to tell who the problem is.

First of all his name didnt win him those races. Every time you make this asinine statement I ask you the same question and the only response I ever get back is something brilliant like "UHHHHH DALE JR SUCKS!!" Well Ill ask again. If the Earnhardt name is the only reason why Dale Jr is where he is then why doesnt Kerry have a ride in the cup series? Oh and as far as taking Tony Jr and putting him with another team that was already tried in 2005 at DEI. Dale Jr won a race and finished higher in points than the 15 team did with Tony Jr as crew chief.

[Stardust]

First of all his name didnt win him those races. Every time you make this asinine statement I ask you the same question and the only response I ever get back is something brilliant like "UHHHHH DALE JR SUCKS!!" Well Ill ask again. If the Earnhardt name is the only reason why Dale Jr is where he is then why doesnt Kerry have a ride in the cup series? Oh and as far as taking Tony Jr and putting him with another team that was already tried in 2005 at DEI. Dale Jr won a race and finished higher in points than the 15 team did with Tony Jr as crew chief.

I like Dale Jr., but with all honesty, I cannot say he is a great driver. I'm not going to be as critical of DJr as others, but without the name Earnhardt, his number of wins does not make him great. Take his wins and point standings and compare them with the rest of the drivers over that same period and you can see who he is comparable with, which is not a list of great drivers.

If Gordan retires, slide Djr into that crew :Thumbs:

[TidesHoss32]

I agree with most of that, although if they REALLY wanted to fix the problem, they should get rid of Tony Jr altogether. Why put Mark Martin through that? :biggrin:

Tony Jr. is a problem with that team, but he's not the only problem. Like the poster above me said, Dale Jr. just isn't a good driver. You get him away from Talladega, Daytona, and Richmond and he isn't worth a crap. He can't tell you what's wrong with the car and he can't tell you what to do to fix it. All Dale Jr. is is a name. His daddy was a big shot that was loved by the majority and could race. Dale Jr. is a big shot that is loved by the majority, but must take his racing skills from his mother. Dude will never win a championship and may never win another race.

If Hendrick wants to fix the problem, he needs to take Allan Gustofson (sp?) from Mark Martins team and move Tony Jr. to the 5 car and see if that makes a difference. That is how you will be able to tell who the problem is.

[TidesHoss32]

Because Kerry Earnhardt is the worst driver that has ever got behind the wheel of anything, lol..cars, trucks, midgets, taxi cabs, 18 wheelers, you name it, lol..

First of all his name didnt win him those races. Every time you make this asinine statement I ask you the same question and the only response I ever get back is something brilliant like "UHHHHH DALE JR SUCKS!!" Well Ill ask again. If the Earnhardt name is the only reason why Dale Jr is where he is then why doesnt Kerry have a ride in the cup series? Oh and as far as taking Tony Jr and putting him with another team that was already tried in 2005 at DEI. Dale Jr won a race and finished higher in points than the 15 team did with Tony Jr as crew chief.

[HAIL PIKEVILLE!]

I like Dale Jr., but with all honesty, I cannot say he is a great driver. I'm not going to be as critical of DJr as others, but without the name Earnhardt, his number of wins does not make him great. Take his wins and point standings and compare them with the rest of the drivers over that same period and you can see who he is comparable with, which is not a list of great drivers.

If Gordan retires, slide Djr into that crew :Thumbs:

The only drivers who have won more races since 2000 (Jrs Rookie Year) are: Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Jimmie Johnson. That puts him in some pretty elite company dont you think? Hes won more races than Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, and Greg Biffle with nowhere near the equipment that any of them have had before he came to Hendrick and still without a crew chief not even in the same ball park as what those drivers have had. Hendrick will find Jr a crew chief that understands this new car and can make in race adjustments then you willl se how good Jr really is.

[HAIL PIKEVILLE!]

Because Kerry Earnhardt is the worst driver that has ever got behind the wheel of anything, lol..cars, trucks, midgets, taxi cabs, 18 wheelers, you name it, lol..

Exactly and if JR hadnt already proven that he can win races hed be out of the sport by now just like Kerry.

[HAIL PIKEVILLE!]

I agree with most of that, although if they REALLY wanted to fix the problem, they should get rid of Tony Jr altogether. Why put Mark Martin through that? :biggrin:

Tony Jr needs to go work with his dad at JRs Busch shop and get out of the way.

[Stardust]

The only drivers who have won more races since 2000 (Jrs Rookie Year) are: Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Jimmie Johnson. That puts him in some pretty elite company dont you think? Hes won more races than Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, and Greg Biffle with nowhere near the equipment that any of them have had before he came to Hendrick and still without a crew chief not even in the same ball park as what those drivers have had. Hendrick will find Jr a crew chief that understands this new car and can make in race adjustments then you willl se how good Jr really is.

Jr's first 5 years he did a great job in comparison to his last five years in winning races:

2000-2004 = 15 wins

His best finish in the season rankings was 2003 when he finished with a 3rd place finish in end of season points. Three of those years he was top 10, not bad and two of those years he was 11 & 16, so-so. For being considered a great driver.

2005-present = 3 wins

Which includes a 12th, 16th, and two 19ths (current year included). Over the last five years, there are some pretty average drivers who have finished between 10-20. So where does that place Jr.?

Look, I'm not trying to knock Jr. As I said, I like him, but I am not one who considers him GREAT! When you look at his stats, he is right in the middle of a list of average drivers, which tells me that he is an average driver with a GREAT name.

[mrfootball03]

Not talented? You dont amass 20 cup wins, A Daytona 500 win and 2 Busch titles without some talent. Is he the most talented on the circuit? No but hes already proven he can drive. As far as his heart not being in it let me lay this example on you: Say you go to work every day and the first half of the day goes great. But, when you come back from lunch your boss has essentialy screwed up everything so badly that theres no getting out of it and youre just trying to hang on till quit time. If you knew your job was going to go like that every day then you wouldnt be so ethusiastic about your job would you? Dale Jr has put up with this ever since Tony Jr took over. Now heres where I blame Dale Jr. He should have never brought Tony Jr with him from DEI. I realize that the guy is Jrs cousin but he should made a clean break while he could when he went to Hendrick. As far as Jr never being his father thats about the only completely true statement you made but let me go one further: THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER DALE SR. Hendrick will make a change as early as the next few weeks with JRs team hes just trying to find the right fit for Jr as far as a crew chief goes and then the change will be made and then you will see a different race car driver after that IMO.

20 wins? You mean 18 right? lol

[mrfootball03]

The only drivers who have won more races since 2000 (Jrs Rookie Year) are: Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Jimmie Johnson. That puts him in some pretty elite company dont you think? Hes won more races than Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, and Greg Biffle with nowhere near the equipment that any of them have had before he came to Hendrick and still without a crew chief not even in the same ball park as what those drivers have had. Hendrick will find Jr a crew chief that understands this new car and can make in race adjustments then you willl se how good Jr really is.

I don't know where you get your stats at, but my friend, Kurt Busch does have more wins than Jr. since 2000, and Matt Kenseth has just as many: (18). Carl Edwards, and Kyle Busch both came into the Cup Series 4 years later and have almost as many wins. They will most likely pass him this season. As for Matt Kenseth, he has a championship, Jr. doesn't. Nuff' said.

And as for Dale Jr. and talent, I didn't say Jr. had no talent. I just stated hes not that talented, meaning hes not as talented as people think, and not as talented as the elite in Nascar which people mostly put him with.

[BCF4L]

I came here to post stats and looks like people already beat me to it. Stats don't lie and those stats say that Gordon, Johnson, Stewart, Kenseth, Edwards, both Busch brothers, and Mark Martin are all better drivers. Earnhardt Jr. just cannot class himself with that list. Earnhardt is no better than a Kasey Kahne or Ryan Newman. Both are good drivers, but nowhere near as talented as people make them.

[cougarpride08]

How old is he?

[HAIL PIKEVILLE!]

Jr's first 5 years he did a great job in comparison to his last five years in winning races:

2000-2004 = 15 wins

His best finish in the season rankings was 2003 when he finished with a 3rd place finish in end of season points. Three of those years he was top 10, not bad and two of those years he was 11 & 16, so-so. For being considered a great driver.

2005-present = 3 wins

Which includes a 12th, 16th, and two 19ths (current year included). Over the last five years, there are some pretty average drivers who have finished between 10-20. So where does that place Jr.?

Look, I'm not trying to knock Jr. As I said, I like him, but I am not one who considers him GREAT! When you look at his stats, he is right in the middle of a list of average drivers, which tells me that he is an average driver with a GREAT name.

Ok who has been his crew chief since 2005?

[cougarpride08]

I think he might be getting up there in age. To me desire is lacking over the past two years.

[HAIL PIKEVILLE!]

How old is he?

Jr will be 35 this year. Still plenty of time.

[TomSportsHack]

any ideas why Dale Jr is doing so poorly this season?

my opinion is that the chemistry among the team is lacking, and how can you be quick during practices and lose it during the races, and the guy on the pit box (IMO) doesnt know what he's doing, of course Dale Jr missing his pit box a couple of races aint helping either

as a Dale Jr fan this is getting pretty old......:yikes:

Crew chief Tony Eury Jr. is an idiot. ESPN2's NASCAR Now had a telling statistic chart tonight: Of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s 18 Cup wins, Tony Eury Sr. was the crew chief for 15 of them while Eury Jr. was the crew chief for exactly 2. (Steve Hmiel was the crew chief for the other one).

Eury Jr. just can't set up the car, a problem that goes back to his tenure with DEI. Kind of reminds me of what happened to Kirk Shelmerdine, Dale Sr.'s longtime crew chief. He was a great crew chief until the Cup series switched from bias-ply tires to radial tires in the early 1990s. After that? Completely lost. Seems to be the same with Eury Jr. — either that or he didn't get the crew chief genes from his father.

There's no reason the 88 team's pit stops should be as mediocre as they have been, too. That also goes back to the crew chief.

I'd like to see Ron Malec (currently the car chief on the 48 team) move into the crew chief slot with the 88. Being around Chad Knaus seems to have a good effect on up-and-coming car/crew chiefs. Would take some of the pit-lizard pressure off Junior, too. :biggrin:

I first heard that Alan Gustafson might move over from the 5 but apparently Alan's told Rick Hendrick that he doesn't want to leave that team (and why would he? He's the crew chief for his boyhood idol and they have great chemistry).

[Class0f99]

Don't forget guys, he's ran into alot of bad luck at the end of races in the past few years. Blown engines, someone wrecking him and such.

[mrfootball03]

Again, Why is it Tony Eury Jr.'s fault Jr. can't even find his pit box? There are 42 other drivers out there that seem to find theirs. Dale Jr. is a GOOD driver. Good, not great. Right now though, unfocused as he has been, hes a poor driver. He has complained forever that his equipment is junk, now he has the best in the business and still can't get it done. How can he be a top driver when he isn't even better than ANY of his teammates. (All 3)

[TomSportsHack]

One of the basic unwritten rules of NASCAR: The way to judge a crew chief is by how that crew chief elevates his driver. Jimmy Johnson without Chad Knaus is a so-so driver, certainly not the three-time defending champion.

I'm not even sure they were practicing pit stops at the 88 shop for the first part of the season. That also goes back to the crew chief.

This is not solely a driver problem, although I do think Dale Jr. has too many non-racing commitments¹. This is primarily a preparation and setup problem. That goes back to the fat guy atop the toolbox calling the shots.

Dale Jr. never should have insisted that Hendrick hire Eury Jr. as the 88's crew chief. He got his way and it's not working out. Time to change.

¹Which he's working on reducing.

[Stardust]

Ok who has been his crew chief since 2005?

I'm not sure, could you break it down for us? Eury Jr. became the chief in '08.

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headline....hendrick/

[TomSportsHack]

I'm not sure, could you break it down for us? Eury Jr. became the chief in '08.

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headline....hendrick/

You're forgetting that Eury Jr. had been Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief at DEI for several years prior to them both moving over to Hendrick Motorsports.