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Jared Turner: Talladega likely Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s last shot to win in 2009
By Jared Turner - SceneDaily Staff Writer
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Hendrick Motorsports driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is winless in the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.
LaDon George
NASCAR Scene
Related stories: Lance McGrew named as full-time crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports' Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes Lance McGrew can restore his confidence behind the wheel
COMMENTARY
While Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway is one of four left in the NASCAR Sprint Cup season, it could be the last opportunity for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win a race.
The Junior Nation better hope he takes advantage of it.
Although Earnhardt Jr. hasn’t won at Talladega since 2004, he has always made his presence felt at the 2.66-mile, high-banked oval. Yes, his five victories in seven Talladega starts from 2001 to 2004 are long gone, but you can count on him being in the mix when it comes time to revisit the Alabama track.
He finished a season-best second at Talladega in the spring after leading 20 laps, but that’s been one of the few bright spots of Earnhardt Jr.’s season.
One can argue that never in his 10-year Cup career has the Kannapolis, N.C., native needed a win more than right now.
To review: Earnhardt Jr. has endured easily his worst season since his rookie campaign of 2000. He has just two top-fives and five top-10s in 32 races, with the last of the latter being a ninth-place finish at Bristol in August.
He stands 24th in the standings after missing NASCAR’s Chase For The Sprint Cup and watching his three Hendrick Motorsports teammates make the Chase and vault to the top of the standings once the 10-race playoff commenced.
There have been a lot of days this season when Earnhardt Jr. simply hasn’t run well enough to contend for a victory and there have been others when he’s performed well before being beset by trouble in one form or another.
Either way, it’s made for a long, difficult season that NASCAR’s most popular driver would probably rather forget. He recently lamented his troublesome 2009, saying, “I’m about to the end of my rope on it.”
At least Earnhardt Jr. doesn’t have to wonder any longer who his crew chief will be in 2010. Hendrick Motorsports on Friday named interim crew chief Lance McGrew as Earnhardt Jr.’s full-time pit boss and announced that McGrew will return to the No. 88 team next season.
Even though Earnhardt Jr. hasn’t exactly enjoyed a renaissance under McGrew – he’s actually fallen five spots in the standings since McGrew replaced Tony Eury Jr. in late May – just knowing who’s calling the shots next season has to be a relief to Earnhardt Jr.
But nothing would do more for his morale and confidence than a victory on Sunday. Sure, it wouldn’t atone for his tough ride so far in 2009, and it may not even signal that Earnhardt Jr. and his team have completely turned the corner.
But a trip to victory lane would quickly validate team owner Rick Hendrick’s decision to keep McGrew at his post and also give Earnhardt Jr.’s loyal fan base hope that better days are ahead.
Who would have predicted that their driver would have one victory – at Michigan in June 2008 – in 68 starts since joining the powerful Hendrick organization at the beginning of last season?
And who would have thought when the season started that this weekend might end up being Earnhardt Jr.’s only really good shot to get to victory lane in 2009?
While he has won at the two upcoming tracks while driving for Dale Earnhardt Inc., Earnhardt Jr. has shown little evidence that he’s capable of winning at Texas next week or the following weekend at Phoenix.
And Homestead-Miami Speedway, site of the season finale, is traditionally one of Earnhardt Jr.’s worst tracks. Talladega, however, remains perhaps his best.
Despite his struggles this season, there’s no reason to believe the 35-year-old won’t be a contender on Sunday.
Earnhardt Jr. has led in 17 of his 19 starts at Talladega and his average finish there is a mediocre 14.2 only because of five DNFs.
In other words, when Earnhardt Jr. is around at the finish at Talladega, he’s a driver that competitors fear. A win on Sunday would at least temporarily ease the fears of Earnhardt Jr.’s fans who long to see their favorite driver happy again.
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
28 responses to "Jared Turner: Talladega likely Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s last shot to win in 2009". Post a Comment.
sweetthings88 said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 8:37 AMI'm sure everything will be all right for Dale Jr. If he doesn't get tangled up in some other drivers mishap. Go out there Dale Jr. and show them what you got. Best of luck Dale Jr. and team #88.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdaviclar38 said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 9:20 AMNever know, Jr. has won at these 3 out of 4 races remaining and watching Nascar the past 30 years anything can happen. Right Sweetthing? Oh by the way, how sweet is it?
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsweetthings88 said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 9:28 AMDAVICLAR38... It would be 110% sweet if Dale Jr. pulled a win off. Would make my day great. But what every happens I will always be a fan of Dale Jr. Best of luck Dale Jr. and team #88
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJrsTheMan88 said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 10:37 AMI disagree. I think Dale Jr still has a shot at winning at Pheonix or Homestead. He's always had some good runs at those tracks. GO DALE JR #88 AND TEAM!!!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmwallick said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 11:35 AMSteve 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 Jr. at HMS. When 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.
Report as Abuse...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, Jr.s company, & is making a lot of money off of him, & using is to get JJ another championship. Marybeth
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjrsbiggestfanbt said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 2:27 PMYou go out on Sunday and have some fun!!!!!!!!! If you win that would be great!!!! Thanks for letting me put my name on your car!!!!! Jr. Nation will always love you!!! We are all pulling for you!!! Go show them what you're made of!!!!! We know you can still drive like your Daddy taught you!!!!!!!!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportkeith308 said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 2:41 PMHe might win all of the final races. He has just a good a chance as the rest.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportrwilliamhayes said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 2:59 PMKEITH 308 THERE IS A CHANCE IT MIGHT SNOW IN HAWAII ON X-MAS DAY. bUt i WoUlDn'T EvEn bEt YoUr mOnEy oN iT.
Report as AbuseFact is JR. is just going to whine this season away.And apparently the Nation Members are going to do it with him.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportrwilliamhayes said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 3:04 PMto Mwallick E-----X------C-----U-------S-------E------S.
Report as AbuseI NEED TO GET MY SHOVEL.IT'S ALREADY HIP DEEP.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmcrealname said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 3:11 PMyyaaaayyy!!!....another top 35 for dumbo....
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmcrealname said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 3:15 PMpoor #7 comment....HA....top 35....MAYBE.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmcrealname said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 3:16 PMgo back to bush league...juuuunior.....
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdorarhodes said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 3:54 PMI agree with #5. And for #12-Junior not on the track means his fans not at the track or watching TV. That means more empty seats and lower tv ratings. It also means your favorite driver could loose his sponsor.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportipopakeg293388 said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 5:53 PMFirst of all # 9 if it's already hip deep,a shovel won't do you much good! I have a backhoe you can rent! It's a roll the dice race Every Time at DEGA anyway. It doesn't matter who has the best of anything,or the best driver,who's leading in point's,or,WHO has it in the bag already! They all fear and are just waiting for the mistake by any driver,the first driver,to start the domino effect that wipe's out most of the field! JR. does run good at this track,as a rule,so it's anybody's race! That's why I like it as much as I do! You never know when the big one is coming,or when it's going to hit! Kind of like waiting on a storm! That would clear the field for ANY DRIVER TO WIN,INCLUDING JR. Don't count ANYONE out of this one!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdiamond56 said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 6:35 PMI want him to be happy, happy, happy!!!!! Yes a win would be fantastic, but mainly I want him to get his confidence back. You've still got what it takes, remember who you are and just get behind that wheel and GO FOR IT. Jr. Nation will always be there for you. You can do this.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSS396Chevelle said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 7:42 PMJr has a shot at the next 3 races. He is now committed with Lance to work hard together for the rest of this year and next year as well. What better time then to end the season on a high note.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbuckshot88 said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 8:09 PMa win would be great,but solid finishes the rest of the way would be a great way to finish up.come on 2010!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjerryswiatek said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 8:54 PMI will hate this but, somethings going too break, or he will be taken out. Nothing new here
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» Confirm Abuse Reportg-rehberg said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 9:32 PMI'm a BIG Jr fan and like comment #18, I expect something to either break or Jr will get caught up in someone else's wreck. I'm ready for the season to be over!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportLUV88AND99 said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 11:06 PMWe need to stay positive, folks! Junior's bad luck is about to end. I am so excited about that, I can hardly wait!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportarhiatt said:
Nov 1, 2009 at 1:42 AMI agree, #5. I think RH should pull out of JR Motorsports (won't do it, 'cuz it's too much money) and let Jr. out of his five-year contract, but won't do that either, because Jr. is his cash cow. I just don't see RH really caring about Jr. winning. I think RH only sees dollar signs when he looks at Jr. But that's what NASCAR is all about these days. Money.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRainier said:
Nov 1, 2009 at 6:43 AMI'd just like to see him finish a race without a mechanical issue, a pit miscue, or a crash. It's hard to get a feel for how his team is doing with all the bad luck and problems he has had since the crew chief change. With the other 3 Hendrick cars 1-2-3 in the points and the satellite Hendrick cars 4 and 7 in the points, that's 5 of the top 7 in points in the same equipment he has, it stands to reason he should start running well soon. If he does this again next year, I'm inclined to believe the COT does not fit his driving style and NASCAR may have engineered their most popular driver right out of the sport.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRowdy4life said:
Nov 1, 2009 at 8:51 AMSorry, No Chance of Jr winning Dega or any race for that matter. He is not a winner unless he gets lucky like at Michigan...
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJrsTheMan88 said:
Nov 1, 2009 at 8:58 AMHang in there G-REHBERG! This seasons not over yet, but I see a positive future waiting for Dale Jr and Jr Nation! To Rowdyforlife, why waste your time commenting on a Dale Jr article? But thanks for caring about Junior and his fans so much you decided to comment! THATS SO SWEET!!! GO DALE JR #88 AND TEAM!!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportstone069 said:
Nov 1, 2009 at 9:07 AMHey Rowdy, How many Cup wins does your driver have at Dega? Thats what I thought, sit down, shutup, and Whine about your crew chief some more. Too bad we will all find out that it was Kryle's crew chief making those Cup wins happen Not the knucklehead behind the wheel.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportDickHURTZ said:
Nov 1, 2009 at 9:15 AMMan THE JUNIOR NATION IS SO HATEFULL TO OTHERS "OPINIONS".
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» Confirm Abuse Reporttimmytoad1 said:
Nov 1, 2009 at 5:34 PMNo wonder #26, its the same comments every dam time by the same people, we hear ya already we arent deaf, find something better to do than trash talkin.
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» Confirm Abuse Reporte_rock43 said:
Nov 2, 2009 at 8:22 AMbe careful , number 27!!!!!! be careful!
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