11:17 PM
JD
A few years ago, with the move of Kyle Busch from Hendrick Motorsports to make room for Dale Earnhardt Jr, many around NASCAR believed a rivalry had been born. With Busch's front bumper laying waste to Earnhardt Jr's 88 later that year, "JR Nation" would have agreed.
Although there is no love lost between the fans of these two drivers, a true rivalry never came to fruition. This is partly due to Jr having not been that competitive the last few years. Now, however, both drivers desperately need a boost.
Earnhardt Jr may now have his boost, or at least Jr fans hope so, as he now has a new and proven Crew Chief. He will also be housed in the same garage as Jimmie Johnson. Such changes must produce at least minimal success.
Busch however is entering a new period of his career. Although it was thought he would become the "Top Dog" at Gibbs with Stewart leaving, it seems as though he is now being eclipsed by Denny Hamlin. As for 2010, Busch did have 3 wins, but his average finish in the last 5 races was 21st, a humbling number for Busch. At times toward the end of the season, his frustration was palpable.
Busch does, however, have one of the greatest motivators in his corner with Joe Gibbs. Although 2010 has been less than acceptable for Busch, rest assured he will come out fighting in 2011. I am sure the success of his teammate Hamlin will not sit right with him and his success in 2011 would definitely create a spark in the JR. fan base.
Let's hope the two of these can bee more competitive in 2011, NASCAR has plenty to lose if they don't!
Posted in: Dale Earnhardt Jr,Denny Hamlin,Jimmie Johnson,Joe Gibbs,Kyle Busch,Nascar,Nascar Blog,Race,Racing,racing blog,Sprint Cup
1 comments:
JD this is a tough one for me. The problem? I like both of them but for completely different reasons. Kyle caught my attention a couple of years back when his driving style and will to win reminded me of Dale Sr. Remember when people hated the 3 driver? His do anything to win style didn't sit well with the old timers and the other drivers alike, but he didn't change. He was true to himself and the fans finally came around. I expect Kyle to not change either and in the process keep the fires of hatred toward him burning until he racks up a couple of Cup titles... Then begrudging respect will come his way.
My feelings toward Junior, on the other hand, are based on how he grew up and how he did everything he could to make his father proud of him. He picked up his dad's mantle after he was gone and did great things, but the impetus seems to be gone now. I think his run with the Wrangler no. 3 last July proved how much motivation means to him. What's it gonna take to motivate him on a regular basis? I don't think Kyle Busch is the answer...
Here's hoping both do great things this coming season!
Check out a three part series I put together last June about the racing Earnhardts that led up to Junior's run at Daytona... That race was really something!
http://dwindy1-walkingeagle.blogspot.com/2010/06/dale-earnhardt-jr-earnhardt-family.html
http://dwindy1-walkingeagle.blogspot.com/2010/06/earnhardt-legacy.html
http://dwindy1-walkingeagle.blogspot.com/2010/06/earnhardt-legacy-story-goes-on.html
Have a Merry Christmas!
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