Hot Topics:

Earnhardt Jr. seeking to end slide at California

By SceneDaily Staff

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Article Rating: 5.0
Rate this Article
Jason Smith / Getty Images

Jason Smith / Getty Images

Latest Headlines

The last time the Sprint Cup Series convened at Auto Club Speedway in California, Dale Earnhardt Jr. left wondering what might have been.

Entering Sunday night's Pepsi 500 at the 2-mile track, the Hendrick Motorsports driver is focused on what could be.

Back at the place where he crashed after 22 laps in February when teammate Casey Mears spun into his path because of a wet track, Earnhardt Jr. hopes to be around for all 250 laps this time.

"Last time at California wasn't so good,” he said. “In our second race with Hendrick Motorsports, we got caught up in that early wreck with Casey because the track wasn't dry yet, and we were racing on it. It rained out anyway, and then we had to come back Monday to run around the track in 40th all day. I felt like we had a good car.

“We were good in practice, but getting wrecked so early, we didn't have a chance to run the race. I felt bad for my guys and saw how hard they worked to get that car back out on the track."

Earnhardt Jr. comes to California this weekend hoping to get back on track in a more figurative sense. Since winning at Michigan International Speedway on June 15, NASCAR’s most popular driver has posted just one top-10 finish and no top-fives in nine starts.

Returning to their consistent early-season form will be key to the title hopes of Earnhardt Jr. and his team with the Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup just two races away and the No. 88 group solidly in the championship-determining field.

“The biggest thing is you have to keep the guys fresh over the summer time and have them really prepared for the last 10 races,” crew chief Tony Eury Jr. said. “We do a lot just to give these guys time off. It used to be a 20-race stretch, now it's 18, so you get two less races, but that don't mean a lot. When you get to California, you need to have the momentum on your side.

“With California and Richmond [International Raceway] right here back to back, this can set the tone of what you go into the Chase with."

Average Rating: 5.0

Comments

20 responses to "Earnhardt Jr. seeking to end slide at California"
  1. 1
    Juniegirl said:
    Aug 27, 2008 at 9:16 AM

    I hope things go really good in California for Jr. because Bristol was not fun to watch. (Or Michigan for that matter) I know they ran good at Michigan, but the fans want to see our boy up there at the end going for the win! Yeah, he finished decent at Bristol, but never could get that lap back and it sucked watching that the whole time. I think Jr. fans need to see some emotion out of their driver about now. We want to know that he wants it worse that us. (And believe me, we want it bad). When they interview him after the race, he seems to be okay with a so-so finish and we know he's really NOT. We want to see that he's not and hear him say it. Jr. fans are the most passionate in the world. We wanna see him get on fire for that championship!!!!!!!!!!

    Report as Abuse
  2. 2
    Worm Dirt said:
    Aug 27, 2008 at 9:16 AM

    Junior, We're all pulling for you here in Junior Nation! You are great!!! You and Tony Jr. need to ignore all of the people who don't understand just how great you are! They are just jealous!!!!! Did I say that you are great yet!!! Yes, I guess I did already. Anyway, you are going to do great, but just remember that the event that you attend at the track on Friday where you qualify to earn your starting position in SUnday's race means that you have to ACTUALLY start in that place in the race on Sunday. You can't just pass eight cars before crossing the start line. Anyway, your great! Good luck!

    Report as Abuse
  3. 3
    Juniegirl said:
    Aug 27, 2008 at 9:42 AM

    Jr. fans want to see out boy get on fire to win that Championship!

    Report as Abuse
  4. 4
    BARBARA KING said:
    Aug 27, 2008 at 10:07 AM

    Go Jr you can win for your fans.

    Report as Abuse
  5. 5
    David Fields said:
    Aug 27, 2008 at 10:38 AM

    Maybe Jr. needs a new Crew Chief

    Report as Abuse
  6. 6
    Juniegirl said:
    Aug 27, 2008 at 11:19 AM

    He don't need a new crew chief. They just need to learn exactly what Jr. needs done to that car to adjust it as the race progresses. Jr. needs to be able to get up on that wheel and drive the rear end off of it even if it ain't perfect. He's an Earnhardt, he knows how to do it. You gotta remember, they are still getting the COT down to a science. Give them a little time. I think the guy has done d*mn good to start with a new team and COT and be 3rd in points after the year he had last year. Have faith.

    Report as Abuse
  7. 7
    Mark Ernst said:
    Aug 27, 2008 at 12:32 PM

    Good luck Junior. Hopefully you will qualify in the top ten or better.

    Report as Abuse
  8. 8
    4da88 said:
    Aug 27, 2008 at 1:28 PM

    What WD said! And remember you do not have to spot the rest of the field a lap in order to make the race interesting. And good for you WD you finally got on the band wagon, lmao. Be careful though, I see you sitting precariously on the edge...

    Report as Abuse
  9. 9
    4da88 said:
    Aug 27, 2008 at 1:35 PM

    Juniegirl, I still have faith in Junior. But it hurts to see him do something like he did Saturday night. At Bristol no less. What was he thinking? Again I am ready for the weekend race. I hope the car is in top shape. And Junior makes the best of what he has instead of shooting himself in the foot. So heres to seeing Junebug in the winner circle!! We/he need the momentum going into the chase!

    Report as Abuse
  10. 10
    4da88 said:
    Aug 27, 2008 at 1:42 PM

    Actually to have finished 18th, IMO, was quite a lot better than I could have hoped for. He could not have won the race, again his car was not performing as well at the end of the race as the start.

    Report as Abuse
  11. 11
    AL KNIGHT said:
    Aug 27, 2008 at 1:45 PM

    JR so over rated, ain't worth his weight in salt! If his daddy was alive ole sr take his belt to jrs assssss!

    Report as Abuse
  12. 12
    Anonymous said:
    Aug 28, 2008 at 6:01 AM

    4da88, Jr. is going to be fine. Once he gets on fire, you ain't gonna be able to stop him! They just need to make that car good the whole race. It's gonna happen cause Rick Hendrick will make sure it does.

    Report as Abuse
  13. 13
    anonymous said:
    Aug 28, 2008 at 7:36 AM

    Hey Al, if SR was still alive, Jr would still be at DEI, running in top notch equipment, unlike what he had been running in the last few years there.

    Report as Abuse
  14. 14
    Matt the rat said:
    Aug 28, 2008 at 11:02 AM

    What Jr. needs to do is be running 3rd or 4th when teh 18 and 99 wreck eachother at the end of the race. Then it will all be alright.

    Report as Abuse
  15. 15
    Susan Coley said:
    Aug 28, 2008 at 11:47 AM

    I truly hope that this will be Dale's weekend to take it to Victory Lane! Good Luck and I love ya!!

    Report as Abuse
  16. 16
    Millporter said:
    Aug 28, 2008 at 2:27 PM

    SWEET Matt the Rat! I can picture that! VGL Junior, we need a good finish this weekend. On a more sober note, to all the NASCAR fans that bash our guy Junior. He fills the seats 2-1 maybe more. Junior is NASCAR's most popular driver. You all hear the roar from the stands when Junior takes the lead. Junior keeps NASCAR going in the right direction so ya'll can watch YOUR favorite drivers, to0o. The real difference is, we have a huge fan club named JR Nation to show our appreciation. We love him, he's ours, so plz dont be jealous. Thanks Rick for giving our Junior the opportunity to drive good cars this year. He's making us and HMS proud!

    Report as Abuse
  17. 17
    Trish Reed said:
    Aug 28, 2008 at 6:01 PM

    Millporter, I couldn't agree with you more!!! Everybody has their favorite drivers and the one thing that we Jr fans have that the other fans don't (and you know who you are) is class, honesty and respect...So just like Millporter said, sorry that your jealous but Jr Nation is here to stay!!! Go get 'em JR!!!

    Report as Abuse
  18. 18
    Grover rickman said:
    Aug 29, 2008 at 7:39 PM

    JR does not have what it takes to win a championship any more, a top 10 driver at best.And I have liked him since 1998 in nationwide.Sorry but he just dosen't have the drive it takes..

    Report as Abuse
  19. 19
    C M said:
    Aug 30, 2008 at 5:58 AM

    JR Nation is strong and behind our driver all the way. GO JR!

    Report as Abuse
  20. 20
    bob parent said:
    Sep 2, 2008 at 2:13 PM

    Jr should go back to DEI and revive his daddy's legacy. GO Junner

    Report as Abuse

Leave a Comment

Promotions

Latest Videos

Where should the NASCAR Sprint Cup awards banquet be held?

Where should the NASCAR Sprint Cup awards banquet be held?

NASCAR celebrates the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season in New York this week, culminating in a black-tie awards banquet at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. But is there a better location for the banquet? Would Las Vegas with all its glitz and glamour be a better fit? Or would Charlotte, the home to most NASCAR teams, be an ideal location? SceneDaily.com's roundtable discusses the issue and where the banquet should be held.

 

Most Rated Stories

Poll Position

Which NASCAR competitor should be Driver of the Year?

view the results