August 18, 2007
By Andrew Brookman

Andrew Brookman

As it gets closer to the wire that separates “Chasers” from “traffic”, the funny thought of some fictional NASCAR Genie popping out of a Nextel Cup to grant Dale Jr. just one wish titillates my mind. I know this is un-realistic, almost as unrealistic as the week by week plagues that have continued to botch, what at some point could have been a championship for the Number “8” team. Whether this year or another before it, is it voodoo?

While Martin Truex Jr. continues to hang on to his eleventh place standings these last four races, there’s no doubt in my mind there has to be something debasing the chances of this team winning races, let alone a Cup with DEI. Whether it’s engines, shocks or just bad runs; one has to wonder just how much more dejected Earnhardt Jr. has to appear before he begins smiling again. And I don’t mean in commercials.

Let’s not forget that while Earnhardt did announced his intention to go to Hendrick Motorsports in ’08 because he wants to “win championships,” it was still secondary to his desire to take control of DEI; a company he, his siblings and the general consensus feel was intended for him to have. Of course while even the largest mega-fan following really has no right or credible proof to back that theory up, there is indeed at least one feeling that can’t be pushed off as speculation; the feeling that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has deserved better these last few years.

Like the true selfless gentleman he is, Earnhardt Jr. never fails to defend the current owner against those certain groups of finger pointers aiming their digits at her. A vying collaborative that’s usually set out to hold the one often nick-named "step monster” (among other titles) accountable for the team's myriad of problems. Despite whether truly at fault or not, the oh-so-sour look she puts off these last few years only makes it harder to swallow for those that see, doesn’t make anything easier on Earnhardt Jr. either.

Perhaps what makes it all so hard for many to digest lies in his name; a name that embodies what DEI should have continued to be; a name that’s part of the racers bloodline born desire to race in a royal dynasty that was meant to be greater than it’s been. Whether your loyalty stays with DEI, Earnhardt Jr. or both, chances are you’re likely to have an emotional tie that hopes it all had worked out differently. And yet somehow as I try to be impartial to the personal side of this, I have to believe this just might be better for both sides right now and in the future.

Junior, Championships and clean breaks

As for me and where I stand on Junior’s future, well it’s much more complex than simply being a fan of anyone. I personally feel the man is absolutely doing what he has to do, and it’s another team that’s truly embraced him most with his goals in mind right now. I also have to agree with a guest from one of the various race oriented shows this past weekend and say Earnhardt Jr. will certainly have an even bigger spotlight on him in the ’08 season. A spotlight that will be looking for the road to a NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship to begin paving it’s way from the start and not take so long to get.

I truly do believe it can happen, but I won’t hold back when I say that regardless of what a nice guy Earnhardt Jr. can be, he needs to use all his senses and follow good examples. That for me begins with a clean break, not more Eury Jr. at the helm.

I’m truly uncertain of what exactly Earnhardt “needs” Eury Jr. for in the future seasons; after all it’s highly unlikely that Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson or even Matt Kenseth would be keeping a crew chief with the record Eury Jr. has, at least not in this chapter of big money racing. There is just too much money in the sport and too much more going into it to justify Dale Juniors willingness to allow it to continue with Eury.

The idea of Eury Jr. being a familiar face to have the first year out at HMS isn’t good enough for me; there has to be some sacrifice on Dale Juniors part at HMS if he truly wants to “win championships”; in logical scenarios, anywhere else - this guy would be toast already. However, Earnhardt truly carries his family with him and the JR Motorsports partnership with HMS could prove to be the trump card which could make Eury Jr. the logical choice. Either way I’m not making any predictions on this matter.

The truth is, Eury Jr. seems to fall short a bit too often, there is a hierarchy in big money sports and before anyone can blame Teresa Earnhardt for the shortcomings this team has had, a good look at the crew makes sense first. Has Earnhardt Jr. really ever had the caliber of crew chief needed to reach his goals? If DEI stood only to benefit from a championship via Earnhardt and his ability to drive, does it not make sense to think Eury Jr’s had his chance? Fall guy or not, the driver can’t take all the blame all the time; and with all the big money changes these days, the right crew will be the real odds maker. If it were me gambling all the money, I’d certainly want something of a Zipadelli, Ray Evernham or even Chad Knaus leading off the crew next season.

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.