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Mike Hembree: Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t the only driver needing a boost
By Mike Hembree - Associate Editor
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Hendrick Motorsports' Dale Earnhardt Jr. starts 22nd in Sunday's Autism Speaks 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway.
Tim Parks
NASCAR Scene
COMMENTARY
DOVER, Del. – The heat at Dover International Speedway today will fall squarely on the shoulders of Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In case you missed the news in all the other excitement surrounding the Autism Speaks 400, he has a new crew chief.
You also might have missed the announcement that Earnhardt Jr. isn’t having a good season. His critical statistics look like this: 0 wins, 1 top five, 3 top 10s. Not fun.
What Earnhardt Jr. needs today here on the East Coast of these United States is for everyone to leave him alone, not pay attention to what goes on and give the new team some room to breathe. Of course, chances of that happening are about as remote as Oprah sliding into a new bikini.
Earnhardt Jr. will be lucky to be able to take a prerace “necessary” break without some camera guy following him through the door.
As Junior battles distress, however, it’s worth pointing out that, believe it or not, there are other guys having less-than-stellar seasons. Generally, they don’t sit in the harsh light of criticism that Junior endures almost weekly.
Denny Hamlin is winless, a fact that is even more of a burden when one notices that his teammate, Kyle Busch, has three.
Jeff Burton, Richard Childress Racing’s reliable veteran, is winless.
Carl Edwards, a victory lane visitor nine times last season, is winless this year and has only two top-fives in 12 races.
Kasey Kahne is winless, bouncing along outside the Chase 12 and still looking for that elusive thing called consistency.
Clint Bowyer is 17th in points and winless. He turned 30 years old Saturday and needs a post-birthday boost.
Martin Truex Jr. is 18th in points, winless and wondering about his future.
Kevin Harvick is 23rd in points and winless. In fact, he’s winless since the 2007 Daytona 500. Very unlike the typical Harvick.
So, Junior has some company in the Things Could Be Better Dept.
A win today by any of these guys would be a major plus for seasons that haven’t gone quite as planned.
Hamlin, Burton and Edwards are currently in the Chase 12 despite searching for that first seasonal win. The definition of “success” has changed since the arrival of the Chase. Now a driver who makes the Chase list almost automatically has a “good” season, but it is troubling nevertheless for drivers of the Hamlin-Burton-Edwards caliber to be this far into a season and be without a win, a fact they’ll admit.
So bleed a little for Junior today as race preparations begin. But spread the sympathy. There are others still looking.
Mentioned Drivers: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6492 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -108 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -169 |
| 4 | Kurt Busch | -211 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -285 |
| 6 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -289 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -321 |
| 8 | Denny Hamlin | -352 |
| 9 | Ryan Newman | -411 |
| 10 | Kasey Kahne | -476 |
| 11 | Carl Edwards | -520 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -666 |
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Comments
11 responses to "Mike Hembree: Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t the only driver needing a boost". Post a Comment.
thereesons said:
May 31, 2009 at 10:58 AMYeah, but the way the bashers carry on you would swear he was the ONLY one!
Report as AbuseGo get em JR!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportcathyrrooks said:
May 31, 2009 at 11:04 AMI would rather bleed a little for Kasey!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportcathyrrooks said:
May 31, 2009 at 11:06 AMNot bashing any of the others just want Kasey to win!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportkkerby61 said:
May 31, 2009 at 1:13 PMWell said Hembree.
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» Confirm Abuse Reporthwe said:
May 31, 2009 at 7:17 PMThank you for this article and we now know that Jr. was #12.The new c.c. said a top 15 would be good for today. Did Fox want to interview the c.c.,no.Jr told them that 11 others drivers finished in front of him and they should be talking to them.The media blames the fans for all the pressure,but you don't see them turning down a chance to talk to him.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbuckshot88 said:
May 31, 2009 at 7:39 PMwhat's that old saying? somtimes it better to be lucky than good? luck has a lot to do with racing, a few bad breaks here and there can ruin your season regardless of your talent, as in any sport.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdale said:
May 31, 2009 at 9:49 PMHey thereesons, the problem is that too many of the Jr. Lemmings tout Jr. as the second coming. Because you folks put him on a pedestal that is on of the reason there are so many comments about him. Face it, Jr. is not a championship level driver. That does not mean he is a bad person. Unlike so many lemmings, I do not claim to know him personally. He seems to be a nice guy. That doesn't mean he is a great driver. Just look at Kyle Busch, he is a far better driver (his stats back that up), yet he can be quite the jerk (I would say something stronger, but I doubt it would be allowed). How good or nice of a person you are has no bearing on what kind of driver you are. It was great for him today to finish 12th. I for one do not expect miracles just by changing the crew chief. Anyone that does is unrealistic.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportnascarnutsheeler said:
May 31, 2009 at 10:26 PMKeep it up folks and Dale Jr. is going to crack. Back of and let the guy breathe and race.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportconklinpn said:
Jun 1, 2009 at 10:58 AMWell put article.. it's time Nascar does some reality checking of it's own and remembering there are many other drivers out there and we love all of them and give kudos for their talents.. not their downfalls!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbr0412 said:
Jun 1, 2009 at 2:19 PMWith all the pressure Jr has it's a wonder he can sleep at night. Just leave him alone and his team will be fine. Go talk to other drivers who need the attention. He walks on a tight rope 24/7, give him a break he did not ask to be the Most Poplar Driver.
Report as AbuseJr Nation is behind him 100% no matter what position he is in.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbr0412 said:
Jun 1, 2009 at 2:21 PMWith all the pressure Jr has it's a wonder he can sleep at night. Just leave him alone and his team will be fine. Go talk to other drivers who need the attention. He walks on a tight rope 24/7, give him a break he did not ask to be the Most Poplar Driver.
Report as AbuseJr Nation is behind him 100% no matter what position he is in.
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» Confirm Abuse Report