Dale Earnhardt Jr. ready to end disappointing Cup season
By SceneDaily Staff
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Hendrick Motorsports' Dale Earnhardt Jr. has nine starts in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Jeff Robinson
NASCAR Scene
Homestead-Miami Speedway hasn’t been very kind to Dale Earnhardt Jr., but neither has the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.
So as the Hendrick Motorsports driver prepares for Sunday’s season finale at Homestead, he hopes to accomplish two things: Improve his performance at the south Florida track and finish an otherwise disappointing campaign on a strong note.
Earnhardt Jr.’s best finish at Homestead – 13th in this rookie season of 2000 – came while driving for Dale Earnhardt Inc. and before the track was reconfigured in 2003 to include additional banking in the turns.
"I haven't had the best results at Homestead since they reconfigured the track, but, hopefully, with [crew chief] Lance [McGrew] we can improve on that,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “You really have to hunt for the best line there. The corners are real tight, and the car doesn't want to turn and roll through the center like you would expect it to.
“We always seem to get tight through the center there. We've had some good runs here lately, and, hopefully, we can end the season on a positive note."
As McGrew looks to Sunday’s Ford 400, his goal for the No. 88 team is rather straightforward: run well and finish well.
“Just a good, consistent run,” he said of what the team hopes to accomplish. “It doesn't have to be first or third. It could be that we qualified in the top 10, we ran in the top 10 all day, and we finished sixth.
“I would like to see the race start and end the same way, just to show that we can do it. I would like to see some consistency throughout the event."
Despite showing flashes of improvement since McGrew replaced crew chief Tony Eury Jr. in late May, Earnhardt Jr. has still struggled to find the finishes and consistency that he wants. In 23 starts with McGrew calling the shots, NASCAR’s most popular driver has just a pair of top-10s.
He is 24th in the standings after an accident in last weekend’s race at Phoenix International Raceway. So looking ahead to the offseason, McGrew wants to quickly begin laying the groundwork for a better 2010.
"I think the first thing that you have to do is try to put your pieces in place for next year as quick as you can,” said McGrew, who was named Earnhardt Jr.’s full-time crew chief on Oct. 30 after initially serving in an interim role. “Because the longer the teams work together, the guys get more familiar with each other, and everybody knows their role and position. Just like any other job, with repetition comes speed in how you do things.
“We need to put those guys in place as quick as we can so all of the positions are set up. Then when we have a chance to do a little bit of offseason testing - a little bit of this, a little bit of that - we can evaluate all of our people."
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51 responses to "Dale Earnhardt Jr. ready to end disappointing Cup season". Post a Comment.
mcrealname said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:04 PMGO BACK TO MTV AND COMMERCIALS AND QUIT WASTING A REAL DRIVER SEAT@!
sharpie51 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:15 PMI know this year has been dissapointing for ya hunney, but don't worry. Next year will be much better for you and your team!! We, as jr nation are, and will still be here in your corner, rooting for ya!!! We know that you can do it!!! GO JR!! We love ya!!!!
pj88 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:36 PMDale Jr is as good as anyone on the track.His time will come and you guys can whine about it.
andee said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:36 PMFrom 18th to 25th with lance.Get Tony Jr. back sell "Whiskey River"and you will return to being a winner.
sweetthings88 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:38 PMRIGHT ON SHARPIE51!!!! I LOOK FOR DALE JR. AND TEAM TO COME OUT STRONG IN 2010. LOVE YA DALE JR.
4EVER3 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:46 PMSure HOPE next season is better!!
gwen_susie388 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:04 PMThe positive attitude of Dale, Jr. and Lance McGrew is what will turn them around hopefully for a much better 2010. This year has been a year of disappointment for the team as well as the fans. I am not giving up on Dale, Jr. and his team! I am looking forward to next year and the improvements we will be seeing. If there is such of a thing as "Lady Luck" I hope she will be on Dale's side at Homestead and in 2010! Remember all Jr. fans keep your chin up and remain positive! Lance and team #88, get those new cars built and ready to roll in February of 2010! Dale, Jr. get your talent and driving skills back up to what we know you can do and let's have a great next year! All of those racing incidents that have been out of your control will hopefully end right here! This Jr. fan and many more are not giving up on our driver! GO DALE JR AND TEAM #88! Have a great run at Homestead and even better ones for next year! TRUE DALE, JR. FANS WILL BE ROOTING YOU ON THIS WEEKEND! LETS GO RACIN!!!!
degaracer88 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:05 PMI too can't wait for this dismal season to be over and am so looking forward to next year when I know Dale Jr. will come back full force and with a vengeance......all you neysayers best be ready cause Jr. Nation is here to stay!!!!!
MAMADONIA88 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:05 PMI like Tony Stewart, a lot, but what he said about Jr. was uncalled for, has he not done something wrong, Jr. did nothing wrong, maybe Jr. didn't know the car was leaking oil. I am very disappointed in Tony, he's usually the type guy to give someone the benefit of the doubt. Jr. has had a really tough year, seems something is constantly going wrong each and every week, I don't understand why he's always got troubles with his car and Mark, Jeff, and Jimmie never have anything tear up on theirs, it's strange to me. Hang in their Jr. maybe next year will be better, I'm sure it will. We, your true fans, will be there behind you 1000%, love ya, bud!!!!!
mwallick said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:20 PMMamadonia88,
I am thinking that the reason Jr.'s break down and the others don't is because he is running R&D cars for them.
Last spring Nascar Now started reporting the Tony Jr. was making Jr.'s cars from DEI specs from 2007. After Tony Jr. was removed as CC last spring in the middle of the week, Nascar Now initially reported that since Jr.'s cars had already been sent to Dover, that another truck with the newer HMS chassis cars was being be sent up to Dover to change out the cars and that all of his old chassis cars were being thrown out. Then it was reported that that did not actually happen. Instead a big show was made of some of the 'brains' of HMS working in Jr.'s pit...but still on the old DEI spec 2007 chassis. This past weekend in Phoenix, Jr. was still running one of the old chassis cars. You can bet that Jimmie, Jeff, or Mark has never had to drive one of the DEI spec 2007 cars. At Phoenix they knew Jr.'s car had an oil leak and they still sent him back out on the track, to wreck...?
With all the money that Jr. is bringing into HMS they should spend some of it on hiring a top tier crew chief, like Addington.
I have tried to understand what is going on, but I cannot...& I would really like someone to explain it to me.
RH needs to let Jr. go. It isn't like he's never let anyone go before! This is an obviously failed experiment and 2 years is a more than fair trial. It is time to move on for both parties involved. Anyone can see that!
I hope that Jr. goes to RCR or Gibbs next year, anywhere is better than where he is!!!
Marybeth
juliem88 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:26 PMTo post #1MCREALNAME - I don't know what your
MCPROBLEM is or who your MCDRIVER is, but why don't you take your sour grapes and sit on the other side of the track. Why so you even bother to log on to these sites. (Go Junior!!!)
kylestewart said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:31 PMtruth hurts huh #9. Smoke called it like it is.
lindiloo said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:38 PMWell it is too bad the way the season has went, but it will improve next year. Look out world. A change is a comin....ROCK on Jr. we are with you through thick and thin.
Maybe Mother Theresa has payed off a few of the crew members to make Jr's life miserable. Anything is possible...it sure looks like a conspiracy sometimes....
gwen_susie388 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:44 PMI think what Tony Stewart said was in the heat of the moment and because he hasn't being doing that great himself. Tony and Jr. have been friends for a long time. At the time Tony made that comment he had no idea of the oil leak that would make any driver wreck. He just got a taste of getting caught up in a racing incident not of his own doings that Jr. has been caught up in all year. It happens and life and racing goes on! Tony will get over it. Hang tight Jr. fans because you can't keep a good man down! GO DALE JR!!!
jkk1012 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:44 PMPlease can any of you Jr haters name me one drive that hasn't went through a slump even his dad went through one. The boy and crew will bounce back and they will be strong. It has nothing to do with his life style or what he owns get real. Go Jr 2010 I will be flying your colors.
dorarhodes said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:50 PM#4, why should Tony Jr. come back when some of the people are still around that jumped on a Jr. haters bandwagon to run him off. As for next year, it takes several seasons to understand track conditions and set up a log, this guy is still going through the learning process. Also mm has not gotten his cup yet. As a longtime fan of Jr.s I know he is a winner, it is those folks surrounding him that are holding him back, hopefully, some of them can be removed and he can start moving upward again. As for WR it has nothing to do with his racing. Hang in there Jr.
gwen_susie388 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:52 PMJKK1012.. Well said! Investments are smart moves and especially when you have money to pay someone else to run the business for you!
rmdgolfr said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 6:06 PMHey 88 bozos, the ONLY difference between the 48, 5, 24 and the 88 IS THE DRIVER.
flippin-sweet-99 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 6:08 PMThree HMS cars running 1,2,3 in the points, the other is 24th.Something is very wrong here. Sounds like a new driver is needed in one of these rides. which driver would you dump ?
dorarhodes said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 6:12 PM#19, the 99
Carol-88-fan said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 6:25 PMGwen, I agree with all of your comments. I'm sure they will get it together for next year. I've always been a Dale Jr fan and always will be. As for Tony Stewart, it wasn't that long ago he took his own teammate out.DORARHODES, That's funny.
MAMADONIA88 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 6:28 PMCome on you Jr. haters, Jr. is about as good as anyone out there, if he has the same equipment. If Nascar had know the leak was in Jr's car, there is no way they would have kept sending him back out on the track. By the way MWALLICK, those cars were taken off the hawler after Tony, Jr. was replaced with Lance, they never went to Dover or wherever, according to news reports, it's just that you'll hate Jr. no matter what he does and try to get something bad to say about him, well, regardless of what you'll so called know, I'll stick with Jr. regardless of what he does. Why would you'll want Jr. to go to RCR, they are not setting the woods on fire with wins, Harvick, Jeff Burton and Kasey Mears are not winning either, so get off Jr's back, just because it's Jr. you'll always have something bad to say about him.
Motorsportsphotography said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 6:53 PMI hate to say this but this is as good as it gets for the driver of the 88 car. Dale is a regular driver and his finishes will be the same as what they have been since he entered the sport 11 years ago. He is not and never will be a Top 10 driver every week like his teammates. Nothing wrong with that either. He is just not Championship material. He will never be the "other" Earnhardt. If he wins 3 to 5 races a year everyone should be happy.
ts-hotcar-88-is-the-best-driver said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 6:55 PMI can't waite for this season to be over, Dale will do great in 2010. GO DALE JR! AND THE 88 TEAM!!!!
Rainier said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 7:01 PMI hope he proves me wrong, but I don't think the new car suits his driving style. I don't expect any changes next year.
dmiller70 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 8:10 PMTO ALL JUNIOR HATERS AND FAIR WEATHER FANS
WATCH OUT BECAUSE HE IS COMING 2010 IS GONNA BE A BANNER YEAR FOR THE #88 AND HIS CREW AND JUNIOR NATION SO JUST SLITHER BACK UNDER YOUR ROCK AND STAY THERE!!!
ROWDY said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 9:10 PMdmiller70, LMAO to that one. You guys said that in 2007, 2008, and now 2009. Its gettin really ooooooooooolllllllllldddddddddddddddd. What will it be in 2010? I know its the JR forgot how to drive excuse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MAMADONIA88 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 9:30 PMFirst it was fire Tony,Jr. and now people are telling Rick Hendrick to fire Jr. I have always been and Earnhardt fan, going back to Ralph, Jr's Grandfather, and I'll be an Earnhardt fan until I'm 6 feet under. You know folks it all boils down to this, if we were paying Rick Hendrick's bills, I'm sure he might think about letting us tell him who to fire and who to hire, Jr. is trying his best to straighten everything out, if he's running good, something happens to the car or someone wrecks him, I think people should leave him alone and let him get it right. All this crap is not his fault all the time!!!!!
lhsjrf said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 11:17 PMTony Stewart showed exactly what kind of person he is. Whether he thinks Jr. can drive or not, he proved he does not care about another human beings feelings. Jr. has had a tough year and people like stewart do not care that they stick another knife in his back. I would pull for stewart if Jr. could not be up front but I will never again. I cannot stand a person that does not try to help another person when they are down. Stewart can call it emotions all he wants but he did not have to say what he did. I have no feelings for a person that does not care for the feelings for others.
Robby said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 12:50 AMJr can be in the top 10 week in week out but there are way to many interferences going on. Heck I'd be happy with 1 win a year considering how the past few years have been. I just want to see Jr run consistently week in week out. All of his career he has a select few tracks that he just cant master and this new car has really messed with his driving style. There is also the most popular driver status, the sponsorship commitments, Wisky River, JR Motorsports and the list goes on. I hate Jr fans who seem to know the future, when your wrong you look like an idiot. I hope Jr does well in 2010 but things arent looking too good.
KenL88 said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 1:18 AM#15 Couldn't have said it better myself.
xbrownsx said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 2:21 AMI can't help but wonder a year from now and when the final race at Homestead Miami approaches, we'll read this headline: "Dale JR. looking forward to 2011, wants to put a disappointing 2010 season behind him with a strong run at Homestead. Junior blames lack of quality track bar parts, not letting his cars handle right all year. 'We must improve better than our 26th spot in points for 2010, to make the Chase in 2011. We have the team to do it' Dale Jr. was quoted after the Phoenix race were he finished 16th..."
johnson023 said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 7:52 AMYou could give Jr Chad as a crewcheif he wouldn't do any better than he has in the past.He would find some excuse.Year 2010 is going to be no different than the past.Lets face it he SUCKS!!!!!!!
TrueBlueGreenJrFan said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 8:15 AMHey Junebug, here is hoping for a good race this weekend, you all have been building a good solid foundation for your team, you have a great attitude for next year, I see good things coming for you and this team in 2010!!! Rock on Junior Baby Rock on!!!
jethro3fan said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 9:01 AMnot championship material?? most of these posts must be from "newbie" nascar fans...He IS a champion...2 time Busch series champion and he's wheeled over 15 cup wins in his career. He could, can, and will be able to drive back to victory lane when everyone on whatever team he is on comes together like the other hendrick teams. I wish he would have went to RCR to begin with and he wouldnt be the outsider like he is at rick's shop...Harvick is moving on...cut the contract short with hendrick and get over there in the car you were suppose to get in to begin with. Jr can drive and it will come together again and he'll be in the hunt with the rest of them.
BOSN said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 10:26 AMIt's NEVER Jr's fault, it's always somebody else's! What a crock of s..t, the guy is a "has been" and is living off of his daddy's name. If it weren't for that, he be NOTHING!
DickHURTZ said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 12:12 PM"Just a good, consistent run,” he said of what the team hopes to accomplish. “It doesn't have to be first or third. It could be that we qualified in the top 10, we ran in the top 10 all day, and we finished sixth.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------HE DOESN'T WANT TO WIN. A TOP 10 TO HIM IS AS GOOD AS A WIN-------------NO WONDER THEY'RE LOSERS..............
dbcooper said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 12:25 PM#38 with a name like yours PLEASE go see a Urologist soon.
DickHURTZ said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 12:30 PMlhsjrf said:Nov 19, 2009 at 11:17 PM --------I have no feelings for a person that does not care for the feelings for others.
WHAT???? Double negative....
DickHURTZ said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 12:32 PMlhsjrf said:Nov 19, 2009 at 11:17 PM
My name was given to me by my parents and I love them both.
Robby said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 12:46 PMIf you listen to the in car radio, how they talk is very different from what they say to the media, they want people to think they have things figured out and have a plan, etc but in reality the whole team is lost, wandering aimlessly. Mr Hendrick wants everyone to think he cares and that he's fixing the problem but he's lying through his teeth. As long as the sponsorship money rolls in, Johnson, Gordon, Martin win races and championships he doesnt care where Jr runs. Once Jr loses fans, sponsors and money, Rick will throw Jr to the curb like trash, thats what a smart business man does..
sstarbraintree said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 12:47 PMgive junior Chad Knauss and all of Jimmie Johnson cars and get "SAME RESULT". Juniors fans
you have the most popular driver and a very adequate driver. history is the best teacher.
2010,2011,2012,2020 he will NEVER win a championship
Werner said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 6:25 PMsometimes you hire a driver, because he can get you a Championship...sometimes yo uhire a driver cause he can bring in sponsor dollars...even Sr knew that when he hired Michael Waltrip....i hope i'm wrong....btw...Jr got one of his Busch titles by booting Kenseth and wrecking him...that i won't forget....
MAMADONIA88 said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 6:40 PMWhy are you folks always on Jr's case? There are several other drivers that don't do very well at all, it's always something negative about Jr. A few years back Jeff Gordon didn't win anything in several races, no-one got so up in air over that. It's simply because Jr's name is Earnhardt, yes his Dad was the greatest driver ever, but Jr. is his own man and cannot live in his dad's shoes, we shouldn't expect that. Jr. has 18 win in the cup series, I'm sure there are alot of other driver that would love to say that. I think we all should get off Jr's back and leave him alone.
sonbon_80918 said:
Nov 20, 2009 at 10:35 PMLook the problem Jr. is having is that they Rick totally messed with Jr when he brought the old man to the group.Jr. went from having everything to having nothing.From having the bosses help and attention to having none of it.If Mr.H would give half of his time to the 88 like he does with 48 then maybe Jr would be doing a lot better.Enjoy your holiday Bug and come back and Kick some bootie!!
bbbyardhill said:
Nov 21, 2009 at 3:08 PMI THINK EVERY ONE ON THIS SITE LOVES DALE JR..AFTER ALL THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ALL DOING HERE..BACKING OUR DRIVER TO THE FULLEST SO I GUESS YOU WHO WRITE YOU DON'T LIKE JR..WE WILL HAVE TO GIVE ALL OUR LOVE TO JR. FOR YOU WE KNOW YOU ARE BASHFUL..AND WANT TO SOUND TOUGH..SO HERE GOES DALE JR. EVERY ONE HERE I MEAN EVERY SENDS THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT SO GO DALE JR.WITH ALL BEHIND YOU ..YOU WILL DO GOOD
jbbigrod said:
Nov 21, 2009 at 7:46 PMWELL number 20, WHAT will be HIS banner year? Maybe cracking the top 20???
jbbigrod said:
Nov 21, 2009 at 7:46 PMI meant number 26.
hcvarga said:
Nov 21, 2009 at 8:08 PMI'm sorry number 30, but what interferences does Junior have really? Give me a break. He drives for the sports best owner and all the other teams are winners. Make excuses, but not that one because it just doesn't fly.
LUV88AND99 said:
Nov 22, 2009 at 12:21 AMI don't believe for one minute that Rick Hendrick doesn't care about Jr's success! The man has 4 HIGH profile drivers in his stable for one reason or another. Why would he want the "most popular driver" for how many years now, not be successful? I was not a Hendrick fan before but have to admit that I am impressed with their support of each other, on and off the track. I appreciate the kind words I've heard being expressed by the other 3 about Jr. I also love me some Carl Edwards and frankly do not see the same working relationship among the drivers at Roush.
Hateda88 said:
Nov 22, 2009 at 2:41 AM#41 couldn't have said it better myself. But, you did miss out on the fact that Jr just really doesn't seem to care either. Why should he?
P.S. DickHurtz I like your name lol. I crack up everytime I see it.