Dale Earnhardt Jr Deserves a Proven Crew Chief
Dale Earnhardt Jr Deserves a Proven Crew Chief

With all the money that Dale Earnhardt Jr brings to Hendrick Motorsports he deserves a proven crew-chief with a winning record on top of the pit box.
Lance McGrew may turn out to be the next Chad Knaus or Ray Evernham. But Dale Jr can’t afford to wait and find out. Earnhardt cannot have another season like 2009. He must start leading laps, qualifying for poles, winning races and contending for Championships.
Rick Hendrick needs to open his checkbook and get a crew chief for Earnhardt who has a winning record. One who knows how to make adjustments to a COT. One who has made the crucial calls late in a race to put his driver in Victory Lane race in and race out.
McGrew doesn’t have that experience – and this is no time for on the job training. If Junior is going to become the driver he wants to be – the driver who wins races and Championships – he must start now.
Dale Earnhardt Jr must have a crew chief that knows the way to Victory Lane, and Rick Hendrick must do whatever it takes to give Earnhardt what he needs.
Comments
59 Comments on Dale Earnhardt Jr Deserves a Proven Crew Chief
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jamie on
Thu, 14th Jan 2010 2:19 pm
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Rose on
Thu, 14th Jan 2010 3:14 pm
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Maureen on
Thu, 14th Jan 2010 3:17 pm
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vern fordyce on
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ingrid on
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ingrid on
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ingrid on
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Dale Jr.'s Girl on
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Jim Chalmers on
Mon, 1st Mar 2010 11:10 pm
I think people should liten up on Jr the fans put the pressure on him and wanna pass the buck on to who is left.fan caused issue
Jr. will be right up there this year, I think he’s still the best driver, maybe they should switch parts for Johnsons cars with Dale. Something is sure wrong there?
thedon Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Yea, Johnson is better as a driver. The parts are the same but the team is better. I like Dale Jr. very much but he has to earn success.
Lisa Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 9:27 am
I AGREE WITH YOU 100%!!!!!!!!!!! SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG THERE!! YES, YOU COULD BE A GREAT DRIVER BUT YOU DON’T DOMINATE LIKE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!SOMETHING IS GOING ON FOR SURE!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree………give Dale Jr. all the parts that Jimmie Johnson has in his car 100%.
Marie Reply:
January 20th, 2010 at 4:35 am
I agree with you Maureen. Something is wrong with the whole Hendrick crew. At the Texas Motor Speedway when Jimmy Johnson wrecked Hendrick had all the crew working on his car to get it back on the track. He has never did that for Dale Jr. He claims that Dale Je is like a son to him but gives Jimmy Johnson everything and Dale Jr gets the leftovers. If You say someone is like a son to you , you don’t give your son scraps you give him the the first cut of the food. Dale Jr was having problems with his cars but it seems like the other drivers cars were made better. How is that to happen when the whole team has access to the same thing. Why was Dale Jr cars always driving lie a used car from a junk yard when everyone elses was like a new right off the showroom floor.
Junior is a winner, just give him the right stuff and he will be in Victory Lane.
The Truth is is that Dale Sr. was always behind Jr. even if he tried his hardest, but in his heart he knows that Jr. can do much better with his race car as it is with any other NASCAR Driver. Yes the crew that you have does make a great difference, but the crew has to all work together and click and the Driver has to quit making excuses. Some of your earliest race car drivers didn’t make excuses and they only had limited options with their resources and their cars, but they stuck it out and drove the extra mile for better parts, better crew members and especially for more wins. Top 1 wins.
i disagree..”jr” needs to step up to the plate and drive,,get rid of the off track distraction like his bar “whisky river” and other things..stop drinking..and pay attention to his driving..maybe do a bondruant course..he is not the best driver out there or he would have won a championship by now..he doesnt need a great crew chief to give him a great car to win…his daddy could drive anything that he sat in…if jr is so good..why cant he drive a an “outhouse”? a great driver can…like david pearson or cale yalboro….Jrs washed up..his day in the sun is over…
vern fordyce Reply:
January 14th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
YOU KNOW DAVEROO I THINK YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IN THE HELL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT JR. IS NOT HIS DAD SO LEAVE SR. REST IN PEACE
charlotte Reply:
January 14th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
i sure hope dale jr doesn’t ever read all this garbage! when someone talks about jr. like that it makes me mad! it’s nonsense! leave him alone! jr is a good driver. he just needs a good crew chief, and some good cars. it seems like the rest of the hendrix boys has what they want.and need. jr does bring alot of money to nascar just like his dad did.let us support him as fans. i think 2010 will be different for him, so go junebug! for 2010.
Too Mean Reply:
January 14th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Doveroo,
Jr. can drive a car if they give hime one.. you can’t at your computer and say he was given the same stuff… When your going down a stright away and the motor lays down with no power and Jimmy and Jeff blow by him with the so called same stuff your full of B.S.
Annie Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
RIGHT FRICKIN’ ON!! U said it! Jr CAN drive look 2 all the races he won when he first started out @ DEI in busch & nextel! GIVE HIM GOOD EQUIPTMENT & A DECENT ENOUGH CREW CHIEF HE CAN DO IT AGAIN! Once a Jr fan ALWAYS A JR FAN!!!
Max Reply:
January 14th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Seems as tho DAVEROO knows not what he speaks of. Dale Earnhardt Jr. does not run his “bar”, he has very smart people running it. Is the guy supposed to have no life outside of the race car??? I remember back when Dale was alive, he drove Jrs. car, and Jr. drove his. They both said each others car was a piece of junk. Jr. is not his Dad, and does not try to be. It’s the public that puts that burden on his shoulders. Washed up??? I think not. But come hell or high water, I will always support Jr.
mamadew88 Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 2:06 am
I thought this discussion was about Dale Jr. having a better year in 2010 with a new crew chief and better equipment than he had in 2009. People keep reminding him of the success his father had. When are you going to realize that Junior is his own man and racing his own race. Get off the soap box and let him do his job! Everyone keeps telling him how to live and what he should be doing with his life.
Maybe he just needs people to stop telling him how to do his job and how he should live…..
GIVE IT A BREAK AND LET HIM DRIVE TO WIN AND STOP PUTTING HIM DOWN. He needs encouragement not all these nasty opinions.
Shellie Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Its a shame when you say someone is washed up ..Jr is far from being washed up..And as far as Sr.Hell yeah he could drive anything you put him in, but JR is not SR !! He has said he wanst his father nor does he want to be. I think he does deserve the same equipment as johnson, gordon and Mark. I know its suppose to all be the same, but theres something just not right. I hope they find him a good crew chief and get things figured out for him because he deserves better.And LIKE him or NOT, he is THE MOST POPULAR driver voted over and over. So get over it. and GO JR, make 2010 your year baby & show these Haters what you are made of !!!
Dale Jr. is a great person and driver, BUT he is human and everybody (no matter if your willing to admit it or not)has hard times. You have got to have bad times to appreciate the good times. If it was all good times wouldn’t we all take it for granted what God gives us. I have faith that God will help Dale Jr. find what he needs to make 2010 season better. The rest of us just needs to be patient and stop judging everything like we know what it’s like to be in the position Dale Jr. and Hendrick Motor Sports is in. Dale Jr. will rise above all of this again. Have faith in yourself Jr., I do!
YOU KNOW IT’S BEYOND ME THAT IF YOU GOT THESE CARS AND THEY ARE ALL ALIKE WHY DO THE ONES RUN IN THE TOP AND THE OTHER’S EITHER RUN IN THE BACK OR BLOW. I’VE BEEN A TRUE FAN OF THE EARNHART’S AND THEY WILL OVERCOME. BUT IF YOU PUT A PLOW HORSE ON A SIX FURROW PLOW HE WONT PULL IT BUT IF YOU PUT HIM ON A SINGLE FURROW HE WILL PULL THE DAM BLADE OFF.SO YOU SEE IT’S ALL A GAME GIVE THE BOY THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT AND STAND BACK THANK’S
joel Reply:
January 14th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
couldnt of said it better vern you get crap for equipment your gonna finish in the backgive jimmy or jeff jrs stuff and lets see where they finish alot of people dont realize jimmy and jeffs car are built by differnt crews at different shops all together
dale jr i know that it’s been so tought on you but time will tell everything would be ok and fine so get ready to race this year .stop modeling and concentrate on your racing .i wish you good luck always and i love you no matter what. see you at the garage on the race day .there’s a specail gift that i have for you and i know in my heart you would love it. it comes from your dad above .he would be with you as long as you life and he’s proud of you .you are his son .we all want you to have the best chief .good luck dale jr .
dale jr stop the modeling please !!!!! and do some racing ,i’m proud of you ..i know deep down inside of you ,that you wish that your dad was here with you .but he is .in my heart it tells me that you must have this with you of him .i’ll talk to you soon . from ingrid .
AZomah Reply:
January 14th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
The modeling Jr. does is for his personal committment sponsors. Those ads are done during the off season. Those sponsors are very important for business reasons.
don’t worry what other poeple mit be thinking of you but forus on your goal .gook luck .they’ll get you what you want .i know the best crew chief is on his way .
Dale Jr. will be just fine ..I know he hasn’t forgotten how to win or drive a race car ..We will see him in victory lane again I know we will ..I can’t wait for the season to start I know Lance hasn’t forgotten how to Crew chief either and I think he will be good providing the crew doesn’t let him down ..It takes more then Jr. and a CC to make that team work its the crew thats has to be on top of the game week in week out and let’s hope we see this happen if they really want to contend the team will be there when it counts ..So let’s go Jr.
Jr needs to be allowed to do what he loves and does best.Drive ! He does …need a crew chief who can stand up to him yet respect him as a driver and a person.And Jr said it himself..he needs a dictator ,one who get’s the job done and isn’t afraid to tell Jr..I’m the one who make’s this thing go ! But he also needs to be able to allowed to have input on his vehicles and have someone listen when he feel something is wrong. I love Tony as his crew chief because of the friendship and respect they had but Tony wasn’t tough enough .Jr is a strong person and needs that equality in his crew chief. And the respect they develop as they get used to each other. Lance may or may not be the one. But I have an idea that he may be what Jr needs because although there were no wins when Lance took over there were improvements and I noticed they actually had feedback with one another. But that’s just my thought on it. I’m sure others may or may not agree. But that’s ok also. I just wish every-time the media speaks of Dale that they stop the ..Dale Sr. comments. Dale Jr is not his dad..he is his own person. He is past all that and needs to be allowed to be Dale himself now!
joel Reply:
January 14th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
agree he needs a crew cheif that more or less tells him to shut up and drive like tony sr did but at the same time open conversation between them
I agree with the article completely. If a person does not have competent co-workers he/she cannot do their job properly. Jr has people that handle his business interests and investments. He has always had the ability to turn off the outside world when driving his racecar. If folks listened to him & his crew chief on the radio like I did, perhaps they would not be so quick to judge Jr. But the Jr haters love to hate and make negative remarks. They live to do that. There have been changes made for the coming season, for Jr’s sake I hope they work. All he wants to do is be able to compete. Give him the equipment and people and he will do the rest. All I want for Jr is for him to enjoy doing his job again.
dale jr the best there is give him johnson’s car crew jr will win…go jr
He needs a well seasoned crew chief who has been doing it good for a few years. Lance is not that guy.
dale jr is a winner, but not a champion yet. but he will be. please let’s all support him this year.he does have alot going on in his life. but he can handle it. some people are jealous of what he has, and who he is, but that doesn’t have anything to do with his driving. the other drivers have things going on to.why don’t yall talk about them? why is it alway’s dale jr? give him a break!!!!!
Dale Jr. has always been compared to his Dad. That is not fair…he should not be expected to do anything just like his Dad. If people did not like his Dad, they are not going to like him. That is their choice, but haggle someone else for awhile. He is not voted the favorite driver year after year for nothing….even when he has had less than perfect seasons. So…..he apparently is liked more than your driver!!!!!!!!!
thanks Charlotte. You said it all.
Ditto, Lawana
Thanks for your comments Charlotte and Lawana. If people don’t have anything nice to say about Jr., don’t say anything. Negativity doesn’t accomplish a thing.
It seems we have hashed and rehashed this over and over and over again. Jr. does not need negativity, he needs encouragement from his fans. None of us know exactly what is going on for Jr. outside of racing. It may be something personal or it just may be he’s not getting the same attention as far as his car setup, his crew chief and pit crew is concerned. I believe Rick Hendrick is well aware of whatever has been going wrong and he has stated that he will devote 2010 to seeing that Jr. gets exactly whatever he needs and I certainly have not given up on the 88, hoping to see that number in victory lane this year. Go, Jr., your avid race fans are still with you!!!
Why do some of you people still believe that Rick is giving JR inferior equipment? Why would he hire the most popular driver in NASCAR and not provide him with equipment that is capable of winning races? I believe that JR might not have taken enough time to really greive after his dads death.I also believe that everybody just needs to get off of his a– and let him get back to winning races and not have to listen to all the BS from you people who are envious of him. You people need to spend more of your time cheering for “your” driver and less time whining about what JR is doing. Get over it!!!
It’s going to take more than a crew chief for JR. to win. Jr. has had a few good years in the past, but has not kept up with the rest of the drivers. He is to busy trying to stay the most popular driver and that is not going to win races.
charlotte Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
jr doesn’t have to want to be the most popular driver, he is year after year! some people do not like this, but it’s not jr’s fault! we’re not making excuses for jr, we support him, win or loose. he will make us proud again. i’m proud of him anyway.it take alot of courage to risk your life every week for the fans. just stop and think about it. please don’t give jr a hard time. support him. go junebug! we’re behind you!
Hey “JUNEBUG”, as long as you’re not racing today, I challenge you to a game of pool. We could play for my leather #8 jacket, if I win, you give me an 88 replacement.Maybe you and Danica could team up to play me and my wife? I’ll even bring my 88 cueball. What’s this got to do with racing?……It’s all about winning.
It isn’t everything, it’s the only thing!! Good luck this year and try to run your car lower on the track instead of “rim-riding” every track.
I sure hope he has a better year this year and the crew chief knows what he is doing.
One month to go, then it’s party time.
I know that everybody wants Dale Jr, to have a great season this year. So that all the naysayers can give it a rest, and will see what he really can do. In my own personal opinion, Dale Jr and Lance need to spend time, learning how to communicate and listen to each other. I have listen to them on the radio, also. And it seems like one will say something and and the other, will just answer nonchalantly. The need to learn how to tell the other exactly what they need and want. And plus, I think they need to trust each other a 100%.
I don’t care what anyone says about Jr., he has been a winner before and he will be again. Put credit where it is due – stop brow-beating Jr., He is one of the best, before and now. He knows his stuff, so quit talking crap and give him the car and the parts and a crew that is worthy of him.
Maybe if Lance could make split second decisions when Jr reports a problem on the track or have a better stragety at the end it would help. You can’t win all the races but top tens would be great! I’m confident Jr will have a good solid 2010!
Come on lets face it Hendrick has the dream team. He needs to open his checkbook a little bit more than he does. He right there for Johnson who lets face it is co-owned by Gordon , and hes there for Mark Martin, but he needs get jr a crew chief that is a little more like Chad not afraid not make the last minute risky calls, better at stategy,and still have 100% trust in each other. I peronall am behind Jr 100%. So I think all the naysayers should just keep their mouths shut he’ a winner every race for me.
Hi, everyone, Merry Christmas, Happy New Yesr.
THE WHOLE THING BOILS DOWN TO THE FACT THAT THE DRIVER AND CREW CHIEF ETC NEED TO WORK TOGETHER. That is why JIMMIE JOHNSON AND CHAD HAVE SUCH A WINNING CAREER, THEY WORK IT OUT TOGETHER, PLUS THE BOYS IN THE SHOP PROBABLY PUT THEIR 2 CENTS IN TOO. BUT THE MAIN THING IS JIMMIE AND CHAD HAVE A GREAT DRIVER/CREW CHEIF RELATIONSHIP. I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THE SPECIAL THAT IS COMING ON AND IT’S ON MY BIRTHDAY, GOOD LUCK TO JIMMIE AND CHAD AND CREW.
LOVE JR TOO, BUT THEY NEED TO CO-OPERATE WITH EACH OTHER. GOOD LUCK JR grammy 67
I am behind Jr no matter what he does. His day will come and he will shine and when that day comes i will be right there for him.
They can bring in the best crew chief in the world and it still won’t help Jr. Unless he gets rid of that “Voodoo” name attached to his, he’ll never win. It’s a curse. Look what it did to New Orleans and Haiti. This is no joke. This is serious stuff. Scary, too. Pray for Jr.
For all those who say you are JR.Fans Act Like It & Stand behind your MAN. The guy has had enough bull to last him alife time. He ISNOT His FATHER NOR DoES HE WANT TO BE> HE HAS his OWN WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2 FOR that matter A Daytona 500 win Things some drivers dont have yet so leave him ALONE!!!!!!!If We expect him to wim we NEED TO SUPPORT HIM 100 Percent GOO D OR BAD> When He is driving ther speed he drives the last thing he needs to be thingsing is how are my fans going to feel. He Has the best fans for the most part but if you are not going the stand behind him THEN GO AWAY HE DOESNOT NEED YOURE CRAP> Ture fans are there in good times & bad And have STILL VOTED HIM THE MOST POPULAR DRIVER for a REASON for the 6th time. Dale will get back where he should be & HIS FANS WILL BE BEHIND HIM ALL THE TILL THEN>
Dale is a winner in my book if he wins a race or not.He can be in last place in a race and in my eyes he will always be number one.
jr wishes everyday and hopes to please his fans. he doesn’t like being in the back,or dnf’s.he is a very good driver, why do you think hendrick hired him for? because he’s popular? no! that’s not the reason. jr is a good driver. he’s just got to get a crew chief that understands him,and what he needs when he tells them what’s wrong. they have hired lance for that now, so we need to support jr and his team. give them a chance.he will make us proud. so please quit letting him down. go junebug! for 2010.
I agree with that; I do believe he will do the right thing by JR! Or guess what, JR will leave and I don’t think he is ready for that!!
He isn’t modeling; he is making his sponsors happy. His mind is on his racing. He needs a winning crew like Jimmie and Jeff………….JR and him will have to get along and know how to communicate. But I say LOOK out….and JR, I will see you in Daytona baby!
I have been a fan of his dad’s . and a fan of his .
Always have been , always will be .
I wish the best to him no matter what he does in life . I love NASCAR .
jr. is not getting same parts as johnson give them to him and see what happens. he will be champ.
Here I thought this was a all Nascar site yet for some reason the Dale Junior fans have taken it over. How sad!
Now…
JR. gets the same exact cars as his other teammates. When will you Junior lovers stop making excuses for the man? You’re no better than he is…he loses so his crew chief gets fired. he loses and it’s his pit teams fault…he loses and it’s always someone elses fault.
Well people…Junior hasn’t won any races because Junior has lost the edge. he’s done people. look at the writing on the wall. Time to see facts as facts and stop pretending that Juniors woes are everyone elses fault. You all talk about his cars laying down while Johnsons don’t…maybe Junior is missing shifts so that he over revs on purpose? Maybe he’s lost his nerve? Ever seen days of thunder? lol And before some of you get butt hurt about what I said… my guesses at what’s wrong with him and why he’s losing are just as valid and post worthy as everyone elses.
Here’s a suggestion: “do a little research before you open your mouth and make silly statements and comments”.
Rick has made some big changes. Mark Martin and Jr. now share the same garage, just as Jimmy and Jeff do. This was done so that both teams can share their info. as well as collecting info. from Jimmy and Jeff. Duh.
Rick has informed all involved that Jr. must have the right car for the tracks that he’s going to. Duh.
Jr. has been working on his skills and communicating with Lance. Duh.
But hay, who am I?
I’m a Jr. fan who has actually read up on what’s going on with my driver.
Jr. is not Sr.. If you’re looking for another Sr. I suggest that you look some where else.
So far as his personal life, here’s a suggestion. “Clean up your own house before you stick your nose in his”.
I don’t know if I would pinpoint Lance McGrew, but I do think it’s the pits stops where he loses a lot of races. It seems every time he comes out of the pits he’s lost 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 spots, everytime. Do the math. Number of spots lost times the number of pit stops in a race adds up to not running up front nor not winning races. Lets make some drastic changes in that dept.
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tony Reply:
January 14th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
most of the pressure comes from everybody wants jr to be like his father .jr has made the statement that he is not his father and trying to be like him.he is own person.he has said route for me because of what i accomplished,not because my name is earnhardt.
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