Mark Martin has not slipped into the role of mentor to his Hendrick Motorsports Dale Earnhardt Junior.
Earlier in the week, there was some speculation that during the off-season the crews of the No. 5 and No. 88 Chevy had made some crew swaps. Last season the No 5 team with 51-year-old Mark Martin won five races and was a contender for the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Meanwhile Dale Earnhardt Junior went winless and wasn’t even close to breaking into the top 20.
During Earnhardt’s season last year, the team tried several things to turn their performance around. Earnhardt’s crew chief, and cousin, was replaced and Earnhardt admitted that he met with Hendrick Motorsports executives searching for help.
None of that helped and Earnhardt Junior not only went winless but also finished the season lower in the points then he ever has in his NASCAR Sprint Cup career.
During the off-season the Earnhardt gained some of the members of Martin’s crew and there was speculation that Martin himself had taken over the role of mentor.
Not so, according to Martin.
“I’ve got to deny that,” Martin said at Daytona International Sunday just after climbing from his car after qualifying for the pole for the Daytona 500. “I’m not really mentoring Dale Junior.”
“What we are trying to do is bring the two teams together to elevate the performance of both,” Martin added. “Dale Junior doesn’t need a whole lot of advice. He’s too far down the hill for that, he’s got too much experience.”
Ironically the driver Martin knocked off the pole; Dale Earnhardt Junior. A very satisfying results for Martin.
“Very much so,” said Martin with a smile.
Comments
Jr wouldn't take advice anyway. I'll bet he's still the last one to show up at meetings if at all, etc. He's just milking all of his dad's fans for $$ until he tires of the effort required to do so, then he'll fade away or be an owner, but it won't be long before he's off the track altogether.
It should have been apparent that with top equipment and top personnel, Jr has major problems in the new Cup garage with engineers and technicians instead of good ole boys that are handy with a wrench.
You can't teach talent. JR. may have Dale SR's name, but was ony born with God-given average at best talent.
jr, is going to have to win at least one, race this yr!!! jr's sponsors are putting alot of pressure on rick h!!! rick h will not keep you around, if you are not winning!!! even if his last name is earnhardt!!!!that does not matter to rick h!!!!
Just leave Dale Jr alone let him race. He does not need all of this negative comments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well we will see. I think the boy can drive he just needs a break are two to regain his mo-jo back and the outside row start is the first step to a real good season. Go jr.!!!!!!!
I have seen some of the most horrible comments about Dale Jr recently and it makes me so angry.Such jealous behavior,because
even when he struggles his fans stand by him.Let's hope that some KARMA goes out to these out spoken loud mouths and we will see how they feel.
Wow, big time blah...Seriously, there are many, many, many other things you could write about. This was really centered around three words from a driver, which really should only be done when there is nothing else to write about. A good journalist could find something better...especially this time of year.
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