It's been a long time coming, but change has come to the #88 team. And with big change, comes big expectations.
The rumor that has been denied for months, is a rumor no more. Effective this weekend, Tony Eury Jr. is out as Dale Earnhardt Jr's crew chief. Brian Whitesell will be atop the pit box Sunday, followed by Lance McGrew (Brian Vickers former crew chief) for the rest of the year.
From the sound of things, McGrew isn't going to just wait around and hope for better things. "Everything and everybody will be evaluated," McGrew told ESPN.com Thursday. "First thing next week, I basically start evaluating everything. I think some decisions will be easy and some really hard, because in the economy today, and the decisions that have to be made to turn a ship, sometimes that affects people's jobs. And that's the last thing you want to have happen to you today."
What this move means for the Amp/National Guard team is clear enough. Once McGrew gets the right folks in the right spots and gives Junior a Chevy that's competitive again, there will be no more excuses. It's time for Junebug to put up, shut up or give up. Period.
Here's hoping he puts up.
As HUGE fans of Senior.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I are pulling for Junior to put it up too. But, we are not totally sure he can. A pretty face can only get you so far. The free ride is over.
I know the answer to this question, but I'm going to ask it anyway: Why is it that Dale Jr. is always under so much pressure to "put up, shut up or give up", unlike any other driver in the sport? He doesn't brag, boast or blow his own horn. Mark Martin, for example, has never won a championship and has had lackluster years, yet no one has ever told him he should quit. Why is it that Jr. is always under this microscope?-Blade
ReplyDeleteThe only way JR. will get rid of all pressure, would be by annoucing that he wants to be known by his first name, RALPH. End of presure and hype period, a no brainer really. But that would cost him $$$, from living off of Dale Earnhart Sr.'s name.
ReplyDeleteI really feel, that if Junior can get on the same page with Lance, and Lance and Junior can communicate, we will see progress... There may not be any wins anytime soon, but if they can get the constinancy back, that will be a big step in the right direction going into next season...
ReplyDeleteThe rest of this season will be interesting...
Good luck to Junior, Lance and the whole 88 team.
Dale Jr needs a crew chief that is going to tell him to shut up and drive the car. Someone that is not goign to be scared to put him in his place, which is a average race car driver. Forget about the fans, forget about the past, forget about the pressure and drive the car. If something is wrong with it, concentrate on getting it right with positive pro active feedback. He'll be in the game then.
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