Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes Lance McGrew can restore his confidence behind the wheel
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Friday, October 30, 2009
Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Lance McGrew talks to his driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the garage at Watkins Glen International in August.
LaDon George
NASCAR Scene
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TALLADEGA, Ala. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. said that while his confidence in himself has been shaken, he believes that Lance McGrew is the guy to lead the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports team as they work to get Earnhardt Jr.’s confidence back by the end of the season.
McGrew was named the full-time crew chief of the Earnhardt Jr. car Friday, five months after he was named interim crew chief as a replacement for Earnhardt Jr.’s cousin, Tony Eury Jr.
Since that announcement, Earnhardt Jr. has dropped from 19th to 24th in points and remained winless in 2009.
“He tells me sincerely that he believes in my talent as a driver and with the right situation, we can have a lot of success,” Earnhardt Jr. said Friday before practice for the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. “Being a crew chief is a very, very tough job and very thankless and Lance understands that as well as anyone. I feel confident that he can handle the pressures of the job, and I feel confident with him in the box. I feel like he is going to make the right calls.”
Earnhardt Jr. said that McGrew has overseen the building of some new cars and each of those cars has been fast on the track.
“Without looking at the statistics and the luck that we’ve had lately, I can see a lot of improvements in the team and I can see the impact that Lance is making,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “So I’m really excited about this chance for me and him to come together and understand what our future is and see how we can improve upon that. … We just have to change our luck, which is a cheap excuse, but we have to change our opportunities and our mentality as a team, build our confidence in our ability to perform.”
Confidence is a key word for Earnhardt Jr., who a few weeks ago sounded like he was lacking in confidence and said he was at the end of his rope with running poorly.
“I’ve had a relationship with Dale for a long time, all the way back to Ricky [Hendrick] and his friendship with Dale in that circle,” McGrew said. “I was really surprised when I first started working with Dale [that] his confidence was beat down as much as it was. I expected him to be a lot more positive and a lot more understanding of the situation.
“Since then I’ve definitely seen a light in his eye and a strut in his step as he comes to the car. We don’t have the bottom-line finishes to back up what I feel like we’ve started to achieve on that team, but I feel like the steps are in place to get there. I’m excited about that.”
It’s not surprising that Earnhardt Jr. would battle confidence issues. He has 18 career wins and he was the best Hendrick Motorsports car for the first half of 2008. Since then he has fallen off that pace and this season he not only missed the Chase For The Sprint Cup, but is 24th in the standings.
“I can’t speak for everybody on the team, but my confidence was pretty down earlier,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “It’s gotten better. It’s still nowhere near where I want it to be. But every week we seem to improve on that.
“I’m really impatient about it, it’s just a matter of time. If we can string one or two solid, serious runs together before the end of the season, I think it would do a world of good for us. One top-five for this team - there’s no telling how much that could do for us confidence-wise.”
The potential for the top-five is there, Earnhardt Jr. said.
“That’s hard to really put into words what I think we need to accomplish to get from where we are now to running up front,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Obviously, if you’ve watched our team closely, you’ll see that we’ve been more competitive on the race track in practices, more competitive in particular points in the race where we struggled in the past. I see the individual pieces of the puzzle that we’re missing coming together and starting to work.
“But we aren’t finishing the races or we’re having problems or issues. I think that’s more of a mentality, a confidence thing than anything you can put your hands on. It’s not like we’re failing on the basic mechanics of building the cars – or setting them up for that matter. I think it comes down to the right attitude and showing up feeling like you’re the team to beat or there’s no reason to feel like you’re a long shot.”
The 41-year-old McGrew guided Brian Vickers to the 2003 Busch Series title and also was a Sprint Cup crew chief for Vickers. McGrew said there will be some changes to the structure of the shop that the No. 88 and the No. 5 team of Mark Martin share.
“I’m not 100 percent sure what’s going to change, who’s going to change, how’s it going to change, but … we’re going to do some restructuring in that shop,” McGrew said. “We’re going to change the dynamic of that shop, and that’s something I’m looking forward to, that’s something [5 crew chief Alan Gustafson is] looking forward to and something both of us are going to benefit from.”
Some Earnhardt Jr. fans have put together a petition to ask team owner Rick Hendrick for changes to Earnhardt Jr.’s crew and the driver said he understands the fans’ passion and wanting to have a voice in the matter.
“Behind the scenes and behind the doors, I do get asked by the right people what my opinion is and me and Lance have had many heart-to-heart conversations about our future, his future, my future, what we should do, what’s best for us, [and] the company,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Me and Rick have sat down many, many times and talked about it. The right things are being done and being talked about and being discussed with the right people inside the gate at HMS.
“There’s always a lot of speculation outside the gates, and that’s just the way the world is and that’s the way it works. I do the same thing with my [NFL Washington] Redskins, whether they’re going to turn their deal around, so I can kind of relate to everybody’s interest in the topic.”
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24 responses to "Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes Lance McGrew can restore his confidence behind the wheel ". Post a Comment.
DawnMuscari said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 2:23 PMWell Dale Jr., all your fans names are on your car this weekend and we are all pulling for you to win!!! Your luck is changing and you'll be back on top again!!! I'm on the right tail end of your car today!!! I'll be there cheering you on!!! Go Dale!!!! We all Believe!!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmar38gr said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 2:26 PMJr this interview shows more insight into where you are coming from and what you expect and are willing to do to become a contender again in Nascar. It was exciting reading for a change. Things are improving and this weekend should be a great run for you, have a great race and enjoy the race.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsweetthings88 said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 2:35 PMEverything will be fine with the 2. I look for Dale Jr. and Lance to come on really strong in 2010. And yes true Dale Jr. fans will be with him all the way. BEST OF LUCK DALE JR. AND TEAM #88.This is your weekend.GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOGET R DONE.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJrsTheMan88 said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 4:19 PMGO DALE JR #88 AND TEAM!!! I have complete confidence in Dale Jr and Lance. But, no matter what. I'll always be wearin' my #88 shirt!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportBOSN said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 4:58 PMBest way to get Jr. back in the game is to bring Tony Sr. back!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbuenperico said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 5:24 PMI keep saying that making a Champ in Jr is in many ways an inside job. Things only he can do, the last 10 laps. No implication of fault or any sort of miscreancy is meant. He's my favorite too, and I root for him in every race. I've seen him win too many times to doubt anything about him. It's a Heart of the Long-Distance Runner thing. He's got it somewhere. In spades.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjesse said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 5:57 PMwish hendrick would have hired steve addington as crew chief,he wouldn't take no bs. from jr. as smart as a buisness man jr is he should never think negative,unless he got smart people doing all of it for him.
Report as Abusewhat jr needs is a girl!!!guranteed to bring his confidence up!!!!!!!!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSS396Chevelle said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 7:22 PMJr was very positive which is so needed to make it all come together. You have the best owner and equipment, so I am sure next year you will make the chase. I can see all 4 HMS in the chase.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdslund said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 7:31 PMWell Jr. I am on your car this weekend and I am so excited ..I am on the roof so I feel safe lol..I am so glad things have been settled with a CC announcement ..lance will be good we know ..All the luck in thw orld to you and Lance and team 88 .. let's go racing boys ...
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» Confirm Abuse Reportipopakeg293388 said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 8:14 PMIf he doesn't run up front at DEGA,I don't know what the problem is,other than the car! He does really good at this track,and there should be no reason why he can't win or run a top 5. Maybe they're looking forward to 2010 too much,instead of saying,hey today is the day,not next week, not next year! If he has a Car,he will be up front! Put him in J.J.'s car or one built like the # 18 and watch him motor! I still say it's the Car,along with some bad luck,but mostly it's the Car! GIVE HIM SOMETHING TO DRIVE IF YOU WANT HIM TO WIN!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportpj88 said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 8:56 PMIt's like a dark cloud has followed Jr all year,now I can see the sun shining a little bit.When he and Lance get complete confidence in each other and make sure every crew member has confidence in them,watch out.Now I am leaving for Dega and I'm riding the intro lap with Dale Jr.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 9:53 PMif you take out the mechanical failures and the wrecks not of his doing...how was the season?....
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmwallick said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 10:01 PMSteve Addington suddenly became available this past week. I am sure that Jr. brings enough money into HMS to pay Addington what he should have...? ...or maybe they could team up at Gibbs. There is obviously NO 'chemistry' for him at HMS.
Report as AbuseWhen Tony Jr. moved to HMS he brought along the DEI specs from 2007 to make the cars for Jr., and he did not change. After Lance became CC he started making cars on the updated HMS chassis. There are now 2, 1 1/2 mile track cars and last week they added one short track car. The car Jr. was given to drive in Charlotte was one of the T Jr. cars. RH knew what was going on, he is not a stupid man. If Jr. gets lucky RH will listen to some of the people on this blog and let him go. :) Marybeth
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjimhealey said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 10:01 PMIt's good to see positive from this camp. Naming Lance as a permanent crew chief is a vote of confidence from all involved. Things are coming around and I think and hope Junior will be back in full force in 2010. Wish it was 2/14/10 already. If he can get the bad luck demons out of the car, we could even see a good result this weekend. The guy has what it takes--he's an Earnhardt!!!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reporttimmytoad1 said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 10:03 PMHe blew up or got wrecked when he was running good, if he was running poorly nothing usually happened to him. Minus all the gremlins, I think he would have finished 2009 roughly 13th in points.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmwallick said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 9:21 AM...or Junior is driving the R&D car, which the 25/88 is, think of Brian Vickers and Casey Mears. And if Jr.'s performance is not on par with his teammates then Hendrick needs to show his honor, integrity, gentleman sportsmanship & 'good faith'; for the sake of competition and the sport, & let Jr. go, and JR Motorsports, also. Right now RH has Jr. hamstrung in a 5 year contract and half or more of his company, & is making a lot of money off of him, to get JJ another championship. Marybeth
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» Confirm Abuse Reportcwilcox said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 9:33 AMIt's gonna take an earthshattering event for Rick to let Jr go, sorry. Those 2 are like father/son, and that relationship is tighter than Rick's relationship with Jeff, even as long as Jeff's been with Rick. Jr., I'm riding right at the top of the "A" on Amp on your hood this weekend, and I am so PROUD to be there! I hope all your fans on your car brings you good luck Sunday!! You know you have the BEST fans in the world, because whether you win or lose, WE will ALWAYS be behind you because we love you for the MAN you are!!! GOOD LUCK SUNDAY!!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdaviclar38 said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 9:49 AMIf you could read Rick Hendricks mind right now it would tell you that the only car he wants to win a championship this year is Jimmie Johnson's. Why? because no one has ever won 4 in a row. If Jimmie wins again this year Rick is gonna want Jimmie to do it again next year for 5 in a row. Until the 48 doesn't win a championship then Rick will concentrate on the other cars in his stable
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmwallick said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 11:20 AM...or Junior is driving the R&D car, which the 25/88 is, think of Brian Vickers and Casey Mears. If Jr.'s performance is not on par with his teammates then Hendrick needs to show his honor, integrity, gentleman sportsmanship & 'good faith'; for the sake of competition and the good of the sport which is in a dive in ratings and attendance; & let Jr. go, and JR Motorsports, also. Right now RH has Jr. hamstrung in a 5 year contract and half or more of JR Motorsports, his company, & is making a lot of money off of him, & using is to get JJ another championship. Marybeth
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsstarbraintree said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 12:25 PMhey #19 ever think that maybe Junior is in the category of Vickers and Mears. I feel bad for Lance McGrew by April 2010 junior nation will want his head on a platter. he is a nice young man but if he was a top ten driver he would have more top ten finishes in his career, i dont believe he has a top ten finish in half of the years he has raced in cup. i am talking about top ten in the standings at years end
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» Confirm Abuse ReportLUV88AND99 said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 1:11 PMI think just being "settled" with a permanent crew chief will help Jr's mind set. Lance believes in him and vice versa. That is VERY important. Watch him next year, you nay-sayers! I can hardly wait!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportgojeffgo said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 1:33 PMI was in KS last week and fans I met didn't know he was in the Hendrick stable-what kind of jr fans are out there? They wanted to "kill" me cuz Jeff's my driver. I told them I root for Jr too though not as loud. I still think he needs to do a ride-along with JJ or Jeff even Mark for that matter and see where he is messing up driving the car. Tony & Ryan drive the H car well.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportarhiatt said:
Nov 1, 2009 at 2:05 AMI don't want him "learning" anything from Jimmie or Jeff. Mark, maybe, because he has seen a whole lot more than all three of the young ones. And although Jr. has made mistakes, the pit crew has been off the mark, and of all the HMS engines, Jr's seems to have the most mechanical gremlins. Oil pump? Transmission? What the heck is that?
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmwallick said:
Nov 2, 2009 at 8:58 PMARHIATT, that is R&D car gremlins. Today (11/2/09) insiderracingnews.com has an article by Matthew Pizzolato about "Earnhardt Looks Ahead To Next Season...Again". He says the same thing. Marybeth
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