As the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series takes a respite this weekend in observance of Easter, now would be the perfect time to examine Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s success, so far this season.
Earnhardt Jr. is 10th in the series standings after six races in 2010. Not too shabby, if you ask me. He was as high as eighth in the points, heading into last weekend's race at Martinsville. Earnhardt Jr. finished a respectable 15th at Martinsville but dropped two spots in the standings.
Earnhardt has got to be proud of his accomplishments this season. Last year at this time, Earnhardt Jr. was 16th in points There is no reason to believe that Earnhardt Jr. won't be able to stay in the elite top 12 this season. He's got the talent and seems to be getting his confidence back after a disappointing 2009.
Heading into the next race at Phoenix International Raceway, one cannot ignore how well Dale Jr. has performed there in the past. In 15 starts, he has two wins, four top-five and seven top-10 finishes. Then it's off the Texas Motor Speedway, the site of his very first Cup victory back in 2000. Earnhardt can win, anytime, anywhere. He can make the Chase and challenge Jimmie Johnson for the title.
Dale Jr. will end his winless streak this season. I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that Dale Jr. wins five to six races this season. It's going to happen, folks. Once Dale Jr. finds his mojo, watch out.
RCR on the move
All three drivers, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, and Kevin Harvick, are in the top 12 in the series standings and that's got to have team owner Richard Childress feeling good about his organization after all of them failed to make the Chase in 2009.
Harvick's fourth, Burton's fifth and Bowyer is ninth - very impressive after just a half dozen races.
Concord Speedway starts season April 3
The NASCAR Whelen All American Series begins its season this Saturday at Concord Speedway.
Comments
please get rid of lance mgrew
Are you crazy? Lance McGrew is one of the best things that Junior has going for him right now. Just because Junior isn't coming out of the box and setting the world on fire isn't necessarily a bad thing. This is a building process. There was alot wrong with the #88 team. Not to knock Tony Eury, Jr., who I think is an excellent crew chief. But he had the #88 team set up to operate the way the #8 team used to... independently. He was basically doing everything "the DEI way". Under Lance, this is the first time that the #88 team is being run "the Hendrick way". Its going to take time to get all those gears turning right. But the pieces are all in place. Junior is getting his self-confidence back and he and Lance are developing great chemistry. And more importantly, Lance does exactly what Tony Sr. used to and exactly what Junior needs: he gets him fired up. I'm not as confident that Junior can pull off five to six wins this year, but I do expect him to pull off at least two or three.
Despite the early success, I think this year as a whole will looke like a rebuilding year for the 88 team. I think they'll improve but not as to "shock the world" this year, especially if the pit crew doesn't get it together. Now, if Jr makes the chase this year and gets a full year with Lance under his belt, I say look out for the 88 in 2011. But, who knows.......if the 88 happens to win a race, I think the garage better take notice.
Well, looking at just the next 3 races, Dale Jr is looking a pretty good hand. He has won at Texas, he has won multible times at PIR, and he is still the man to beat in Talladega, not to mention he hold the all time record at Dega for most wins in a row. He also has the best win average at Dega amound current drivers, yes including Jeff Gordon i believe. Jr has been running pretty well so far this year. He seems to have a little of his fire back. That charge at Daytona, showed me that the guy means business. Beatin and bangin and bouncing off cars to get to 2nd in a major hurry. Look out for this cat at Talladega, he might just reclaim his thrown as the king of Talladega. He is a good spot in points right now. If he gets good runs at Texas and PIR and then wins Talladega, he may creep into the top 3 again in points like 2008. All hell break loose with Jr Nation if he rips off a win at PIR and Talladega.... Go Jr Go!!!!!
The 88 team has always had a tremendous amount of pressure put squarely on the driver. I love the fact that he and mcgrew have the relationship that they have. I do agree that there needs to be some work done in the pit but not to much. they just need to realize that they are an important cog in the race to a championship. As far Jr himself...watch out. That win is coming in one of the next 3 races and once it happens I think that the 88 can give the 48 a run for his money. The 48 is good no doubt but the 88 had it running through his veins. Its good to see Jr having fun again and that my friends is what will get him back to the top. JUST WATCH!
David...are you drinking the same Kool-Aid Darrell Waltrip got buzzed on in 2008, when he predicted 6 wins for Jr.? 5 or 6 wins for Jr. this year? Ain't going to happen. Win at Talladega? Since Jr. lost the DEI Aero/ HP edge in 2004, he hasn't even sniffed a restrictor plate win in almost six (6) years, just like Michael Waltrip. But Jr. nation will be AMPed up all summer as Jr. battles Paul Menard for the 12th place position (last place)in the chase, proudly wearing their "88 races without a win t-shirts"!
Jr.'s problem is Jr. He apparently has a lapse of concentration in every race that results in driver error such as a speeding penalty, accident,etc. He can do well if he would get his head straight and improve his concentration.
Anyone thinking that dale jr, will challenge jimmie johnson for the title, this is just silly. Jr will not make the chase again, (RICK HENDRICK IS VERY UPSET, HE WANTS WINNER'S REGARDLESS OF YOUR LAST NAME!) JR has not even challenged for a restrictor plate win the nationwide series, much less in the cup series!!
The world was "SHOCKED", when Rick Hendrick released tony eury jr from the crew chief role. People think that JR "CONTROLS" , everthing at hendrick motorsports. But in reality jr, stays in check, and keeps his mouth shut, and understands his role as a driver , for the company! Jr realizes hes the CABOOSE (4th team) of the team!
Are you a sports writer? Anyone could write anything that you just wrote. I wasted 2 minutes of my life reading this analysis.
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