The shockwave has rippled
for a couple months throughout NASCAR fandom since Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced at Darlington on Mother’s
Day weekend that he’ll drive for Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) in 2008. Earnhardt’s never seemed happier now that
his future is so bright! And, without Tony Eury Jr. at the helm for 6 weeks, Jr. had solid finishes which kept him in the
top 12 in points – a goal Tony Gibson set for himself so he would give Earnhardt Jr. back to Eury Jr. in as good or
better position than he received him. In my opinion, Gibson is to be commended for an outstanding job in the interim.
Still, the media happily
keeps the limelight glowing center stage on Junior and his plans for his future. Recent reports stated he was negotiating
with HMS to secure Tony Eury Jr. as his crew chief at HMS in 2008. Earnhardt was quoted as saying Tony Gibson had done a great
job but regarding Eury Jr., “I need him.” Since Eury’s return, Earnhardt's performance on the track
have fallen off with no finishes better than 19th in the three races prior to this past weekend’s race at Pocono. Junior
precariously rode the “points bubble” and even after finishing second at Pocono fell out of the top 12 in points
after the race. For the life of me, I can’t see how Dale Jr. NEEDS Eury Jr. as his crew chief.
Then there’s the
car number issue that Jr. Nation has taken up as a mighty cause against Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) to “free the 8.” As
of this writing, it appears to be a moot point, as most reports are referring to Junior carrying the number 81 next year.
However, I’m not so naïve as to think that DEI won’t eventually comply and HMS could succeed so that Jr. would
be in the No. 8 next year. Yet, how ironic that he and Budweiser had done a commercial about “shaking things up”
by changing his number to 6.7 and now it really will change – but completely to no Number 8 or Bud, for that matter.
Next, as just mentioned,
is the sponsorship by Budweiser. Hendrick Motorsports will not be taking on Budweiser with Earnhardt and a longtime sponsorship
will be severed at the end of this year. WHO gets them and what new young face will grace Budweiser’s ads is still up
for grabs; yet, the rumors report Kasey Kahne or Kyle Busch may take over the helm of Bud’s campaigns. Just last week
I noticed a local grocer who usually graces the front checkout area of their store with a large Budweiser display involving
Dale Jr., now has a nearly life-size Clydesdale standing in the front of the store near the entrance/exit. This caused me
to wonder if Budweiser might invest more into their Clydesdales as their ads “reps”, as they don’t have
to worry about contracts with the graceful giants that everyone already loves!
So, this brings it all to the
bottom line: Dale Jr. with Tony Eury Jr. as his crew chief without the No. 8 or the possibility of Budweiser but in HMS equipment.
What’s the variable? Not much. Every team is locked into the Car of Tomorrow (COT) full time next season. NASCAR’s
made it very clear that they won’t tolerate messing with the COT. All three crew chiefs who have messed with the COT
are under the single ownership of HMS, so NASCAR won’t have to look too far to keep a watchful eye out.
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Purportedly, the Hendricks
Motorsports race teams are the cream of the crop, yet Johnson is in a downhill spiral in recent weeks and their “domination”
has been broken in the COT since their cheating violations were discovered and their crew chiefs were suspended. Are they
truly the “best team” in the sport or were they simply getting away with their little edge for awhile? Will it
make that much difference with the COT full time next year? The equipment is the same. Sure, maybe more resources for testing
and production and refining the results, but everyone is on the same playing field. And tires always change around. So, what’s
the variable when all is said and done… the driver?
I think Jr.’s timing
will be regrettable. Impatience is a harsh teacher. Only time will tell what lies ahead for DEI with the Ginn merger, but
Truex is leading the way and raring to go! I expect 2008 will be the most intense year of pressure that Earnhardt Jr. has
ever experienced as a driver. He’s made it clear he wants a championship. While the media is there to lap up every moment
he wishes to share with his adoring fans, they’ll also be there to share his every anguish as he tries to get what he
wants. There will be no excuses left to explain why he isn’t winning or dominating for a championship. Every driver
will be totally dependent upon their own skills. The COT per NASCAR’s mandate levels the playing field once and for
all, and takes “equipment” out of the superiority equation.
2006 StockCar Review.
