Can Jr really expect to contend for title with Hendrick?
Quote selected text Published October 25th, 2007 in NASCAR News
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a lot to look forward to as he prepares to make his move to Hendrick Motorsports next season.
Like cars that are fast every week, engines that last 500 miles and a team capable of winning.
But I wonder if Earnhardt Jr. is starting to have some reservations about his move to Hendrick.
Why wouldn’t he after looking at the rear bumper of the cars driven by future teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson week after week?
On one hand, that has to be encouraging, seeing what a Hendrick Motorsports team is capable of.
On the other hand, how in the world is Earnhardt Jr. going to win a race or a championship if he has to beat two dominant teammates to do it?
As discouraging as it is for the competition to be chasing Gordon and Johnson each week, it has to be doubly frustrating for their teammates.
Earnhardt Jr. will clearly be better off next season, leaving a stumbling, bumbling organization like Dale Earnhardt Inc. for the most powerful, most successful team in the sport.
But the question is, how successful can he really be at Hendrick?
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- Dale Jr: Why he didn’t go to RCR
im sure all the JR hates are gonna get on here and bash like they always do..but im here to say Yeah i think he will contend…he would def be contending this year if it wasnt for DEI’s crappy engines…and regardless what you haters think..YOU KNOW ITS TRUE…
look at this past weeks race in Martinsville, granted its a short track, but he TOOK THE LEAD on SEVEN CYLINDERS and was PULLING AWAY from the field…if it had not been for all those late race cautions he would notched up a top3 finish..but no his engine blew one more time…
will he contend YES..will he win races YES..17 race wins…in 7 seasons really isnt doing that bad..considering all the other drivers that have like 20+ years experience and have like 5 wins..hmm MICHAEL WALTRIP, KYLE PETTY (whom was BORN into the best equipment at the time)…is it gonna be hard for him to beat Jimmie and Jeff…maybe so..but that will make it interesting..Ive said it once and ill say it again..Jimmie Johnson wouldnt be winning if it wasnt for Hendrick Equip and we all know it…he had an oppertunity and jumped on it..and he flourished..which is great but doesnt mean he cant be beaten…and Jeff the same way..hes a hell of a race car driver..but he has had some SICK luck this season…and if he dont take down the CUP this year i will be suprised…
in conclusion….
it will be a good season next year for all Dale Jr, JJ, and JG fans as those 3 battle it out for the Title…and i hope JR gets it..but i dont think it will be GIVEN to him just cause hes DALE JR like most people think..Nascar dont kiss his ass… Good Luck at Daytona June…JR NATION is behind you 150%..and we all look forward to all your wins nexxt season..majority of them in the chase i hope
OMG….Jr is a bad ass driver I don’t believe he’ll struggle at all. All he needs is a bad ass engine under him and he’ll take off.
I think Dale Jr. will be fine next year. Maybe even a championship!
You have to admit, considering the motors he’s been getting, he’s done well this year. I mean, he’s managed to run up front a few times, and he stood a good chance to win a time or two, but the motors just don’t seem to want to last. Can’t blame that on the driver.
Look at all of those DNF’s all due to engine failure!
Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are some tough competition, but give Jr. an engine that will last, and I’m sure he’ll give them a run for their money!
I THINK JR WILL BE ABLE TO RUN WITH HIS “DOMINANT” TEAMMATES! Take a look at his past season with as many DNF that he had and still right on the heals of the top 12 and he has many times been running with the “dominant” ones then the problems happen. it seemed like every week that he was running good then something happen.
I HAVE A PREDICTION THAT HE WILL BE IN THE CHASE AND A CONTENDER FOR THE 2008 CHAMPIONSHIP.
I honestly dont think he will win any championships no matter where he goes. I know just by saying that Jr. Nation is upset but I honestly dont feel he is capable of winning a Winston/Nextel/Sprint Cup championship. He should win more races next year but a title? I highly doubt it.
He can win a championship if he get great cars, and you have to have great luck as well.
I don’t think he’s having any reservations from the competition side. I could see him having reservations about leaving his father’s company, and leaving some good friends and teammates behind. But as far as looking at Gordon or Jimmie’s rear bumper, he’s doing that now. Might as well take a shot at trying to beat them in better equipment.
Dark Knight wrote:
Well Said!
I think Jr will be great next year. He has been running up front for most of the races this season but he hasn’t been able to hold it for the win due to DEI engine failure. He will have a much better chance of winning a cup title even if it isn’t neccesarily next year. Now that he’s with a winning team he will most likely win a championship soon.
Someone tell Trey to calm down. Jimmie is an awesome driver. It’s true, he’ll drive just as well with any other team. He’s got the skills. Jr. made the right decision by moving to Hendrick. I think he will definitely do better there. Maybe even win a championship.
Um…I said he was an awesome driver. I believe you meant Darrell.
I think you meant to say Darrell, buddy. Jimmie is the best driver out there in my opinion.
If jr gets the same equipment as jj an gordon sure he could win championships,people forget jr won 6 races in 2004 an shouldve left atlanta with the points lead but some bonehead named carl edwards took jr out late in race.
Whether he has to compete with JJ or Gordon, it doesn’t matter.
He has to compete with them ANYWAYS no matter which team
he drove for. I think he’ll do much better, hopefully a championship
in the next few years. I just want some wins!
Darrell wrote:
Ok, this is off topic but why does everyone bag on Kyle Petty, he wasen’t born into good equiptment,he came into the sport in 79 and didn’t move to Petty Enterprises until 97, You all seem to forget the year he was in the championship fight in the last race of the season. But back on topic, Jr will do better next season, but its going to be a few years before he wins a championship. Gordon and Johnson are the top two in the sport right now, and its not all equiptment. Take Jeff out of a hendrick car and put him in a gibbs, dei,childress, or any other car and he will still run great. Equiptment is critical but not just anyone can win in a Hendrick car.
Dale Jr. is a good driver and hendrick has two good teams but does he put enough good stuff in the
third team. When Ken Schrader ran the third car for hendrick I dont think
he was given the sme or as good equipment.If he gets the same equipment
or better he will do ok. But he will have to learn how to drive a hendrick
car because of their setups. I hope he will win and get a championship.
By all means Jr can contend. He races with junk every week and had it not been for some
crappy equipment he would have several top 5’s and maybe even a win. For all that say
no…you’re gonna be disappointed. The 88 is gonna be tough next year. See yall at ATLANTA
ithink the 24 will do ok but 48 is gowing to have to step up his bumer move out of my way to pass jr is going to put them both in the wall like his father did to win and no care about it ither very agressive drivng from those that want to compet
???Can Jr win next year??
DAMN SKIPPY HE CAN!!!
AND WILL!!!!!!!
Looking 4ward to JR going over to Hendricks in 2008,
the equipment DEI has sucks!!!!
the 2nd race of the season a dang blown engine,
with many more to follow, with the cars being so bad,junk actually
Jr has still managed top 5’s
the heartbreaker was Richmond
JR will do gr88t in 08
He will have wins in 2008, with a championship to follow!!!
Hot lanta - GO JR!!!
have a gr88t weekend all
I am so sick of all this that I think I may give up NASCAR all together. I have been a die hard Mark Martin fan and have been beat up for wishing JR in the 8 good luck.
Hell Ya, Jr Can and Will Win, Hands Down
I think that the big gun drivers at Hendricks are the ones who worry about Jr in their camp. With a good car and strong motors, Jr is going to be tough. He may take a lot of glory from the bobsie twins, Jeff and Jimmie.
TO THE IDIOT THAT WONDERS ABOUT JR. DONT JR IS OLD ENOUGH TO TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF. AND AS FOR YOU , YOU REALLLY MUST BE SOME KIND OF DOPE, AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET YOUR NAME IN THE HEADLINES IS DWON JR. YOU REPORTERS NEED TO REPORT, YOU DONT HAVE THE BRAINS TO CAREON BY YOUR SELF. JR FAN ALWAYS WETHER HE WINS ARE NOT.