11:39 PM
JD
The problem has been that his desire to win never grew legs and without fundamental changes in his day to day routine, Junior continued to disappoint. This has been, in large part, due to a lack of a crew chief that could make him put the time in that was necessary. After Eury Sr. left the crew chief role at the end of 2004, Earnhardt Jr. has visited victory lane only three times and many people have proposed the past few years that he again needed a crew chief who could control him the way Eury Sr. could.
This year, however, there seems to have been a change. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was reported by several writers and his crew to have been among the first drivers in and last drivers out of the garage area over speedweeks. Granted there was much work to do for his team, considering the amount of damaged sheet metal and the three different cars he drove over the two weeks. However, the effect his efforts could have in bonding and fostering good communication with his team is immeasurable. Well, except at the end of future races.
Since he became a Cup Series driver in 2000, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been known as a sleep late, party hardy driver who has spent plenty of time playing around and not enough time meshing with his crew chief and crew. Maybe now all that has changed. Maybe his new crew chief, Steve Letarte, has gotten Dale Jr.'s number. Maybe this year Dale Jr. is willing to truly devote whatever time it takes to become competitive once again.
No question he has changed his commitment level. During a recent question/answer time between fans and Letarte, it was said that Earnhardt Jr. was asked to do several things differently this year, including spend more time with the crew while preparing for each race. Letarte expressed that Junior had met or exceeded his expectations when it came to the needed changes. Of course those changes have to be cultivated into top 5's and wins for the off season shake up at Hendrick Motorsports to be deemed a success for driver 88.
The seemingly renewed commitment to success by Earnhardt Jr. has definitely reinvigorated his fan base. Seeing that he is more than willing to spend less time at events and making appearances and doubling down on his efforts to hone his craft gives his fans hope that he will return to the success he had in 2000 – 2004 when he racked up 15 wins. Only time will tell.
Read more by Joseph Davis at The Spotter Stand and follow him on Twitter @the_Bumpdrafter
Posted in: Dale Earnhardt Jr,Hendrick,Nascar,Nascar Blog,Nascar Nationwide Series,nascar news,steve letarte
5 comments:
JD,
We all know how popular Dale Jr. is but television coverage just doesn't do justice to it. During the driver introductions at Daytona most of the drivers either got light applause or were met with silence. Then there was Smoke, Mark Martin, JJ and Jeff G. who each got a fair amount of attention... Introduced in order of their starting positions, Junior was last and when he came out darn near everyone was screaming his name!
During the race, whenever it even looked like he was moving toward the lead a cheer would start to boil up from the huge crowd. It was incredible!
Junior's going to win again and when he does his nation of fans will be over the edge!
You seem to want to just repeat the media's tired old phrase that Jr still parties, sleeps late, etc. He hasn't been that man for a long time now.
Dale Jr doesn't need someone to "control" him. He needs what every driver needs, respect. And he needs his crew chief to have faith in him. That has been missing for several years now, but Steve has come on strong with respect and confidence. If nothing else Steve has my vote simply because of his belief in Jr.
Agree to an extent Matriarch... No, Jr. does not party as much, but even last year he would sleep in a good bit more than other drivers. As far as needing a crew chief who believes in him... I disagree. He had that in Eury Jr. but did not produce. He needs a CC that HE believes in like he did with Eury Sr. 15 wins. I agree Steve believes in Jr., but Jr. obviously believes in Letarte enough to make certain adjustments. Believe me, there is no greater fan of Dale Jr. than myself!
I don't think that many fans hate Jr, he doesn't beat their driver enough to be hated. It's more his 'Nation' that gets derided. It's cool how they stick with him through thin and thinner, but never have so many had so many excuses for so little results.
Gene, Gene, Gene.... You're just trying to rile me up. I understand he has had only 3 wins in 5 years, but 18 wins is really that bad? Same win total as Kenseth, Harry Gant, and Neil Bonnett. One win behind Buddy Baker, three behind Benny Parsons... He may not be a five time champ, but he's definitely no Morgan Shepherd.
Post a Comment