Truth & Rumors > Auto Racing

Can Hendrick make Junior a winner?

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32

Some weekends you don't know if 88 is the number on Dale Earnhardt Junior's Chevrolet or his position on the track. He's 20th in the Sprint Cup standings, 724 points out of first place and 277 out of the 12-car playoff chase. Although he is by far NASCAR's most popular driver, he has become beloved for who he is and not what he does. But why isn't he successful? "If you try to sum it up, he wants to do well," says Rick Hendrick. "But the pressure that's on him trying to live up to -- I would like for him to not feel all that pressure. "He's not responsible for the success of NASCAR, he's not responsible for the legacy of his dad or his dad's company. He's a young, fun-loving, good kid and he's got a really good heart and he wants to be Dale Jr. and that's what he needs to be. "And when he starts winning, the whole world will be happy."

Charlotte Observer

Dale Earnhardt Jr., AP Dale Earnhardt Jr., AP
June 28, 2009  10:27 AM ET

the beginning of this article is brutal.

June 28, 2009  11:03 AM ET

and the end is BS!

June 28, 2009  12:16 PM ET

it kinda appears that he can't make him a winner..........

June 28, 2009  12:18 PM ET
QUOTE(#1):

the beginning of this article is brutal.

Yeah, but it's true!

June 28, 2009  12:22 PM ET

Can Hendrick make Junior a winner?

Ain't gonna happen.

June 28, 2009  12:24 PM ET
QUOTE:

the Danica to Hendrick to replace Jr : Sound like Rick gave up!

She would sell as much if not more memorabilia than jr. Why keep him around? It's not like he's any good on the track.

June 28, 2009  01:32 PM ET

How about if Junior and Danica marry and then they can drive alternate weeks? I think this could be a real winner.

June 28, 2009  01:52 PM ET

No need for a drawn out response....the answer is flatly "NO!"

June 28, 2009  03:33 PM ET

As the late Paul Harvey used to say -- "now the rest of the story" ... Jr has probably no chance at making the Chase this year. One of the reasons all those "engineers" were thrown at the 88 is that car is now the R&D car for HMS. There have been more "setups" thrown at the machine in the last month then can be believed. Jr has learned to communicate with someone else besides his cousin. Stick around -- this story will get better...

June 28, 2009  04:33 PM ET
QUOTE(#10):

As the late Paul Harvey used to say -- "now the rest of the story" ... Jr has probably no chance at making the Chase this year. One of the reasons all those "engineers" were thrown at the 88 is that car is now the R&D car for HMS. There have been more "setups" thrown at the machine in the last month then can be believed. Jr has learned to communicate with someone else besides his cousin. Stick around -- this story will get better...

Ya think those engineers could teach jr how to do a restart without spinning his tires?

June 28, 2009  05:39 PM ET

Rex Racer Ya think those engineers could teach jr how to do a restart without spinning his tires?

The comment of the day. LMAO

June 28, 2009  05:45 PM ET

Brad Keselowski...........1 win this year
Joey Logano.................1 win this year
Dale Jr...........................OOOPS

June 28, 2009  06:05 PM ET

With things the way they are with all the cutbacks and slowdowns in money, it looks like Hendricks is going to make a few cutbacks of his own.

June 28, 2009  06:10 PM ET

As I sadi on the Danica topic {Danica replacin Jr maybe}, I think Jr might welcome the changes. He always looks so tired of the struggles. IMO

June 28, 2009  06:34 PM ET
QUOTE(#13):

Brad Keselowski...........1 win this yearJoey Logano.................1 win this yearDale Jr...........................OOOPS

rather:
Kesolowski 1 win
Zippadelli 1 win
Dale jr.. oops

June 28, 2009  07:16 PM ET

No matter how you look at it, the name in the record book is Logano.

June 28, 2009  07:32 PM ET
QUOTE(#16):

rather:Kesolowski 1 winZippadelli 1 winDale jr.. oops

You're being a bit harsh considering you're a fan of a guy with 3 wins in the last 4 1/2 years. Two of which he owes to his cousin.

June 28, 2009  07:47 PM ET

Looks like the hampster lovers have found their treat bag again ...

June 28, 2009  09:15 PM ET
QUOTE(#21):

Looks like the hampster lovers have found their treat bag again ...

Two words for jr fans..

Traction control!

 
June 28, 2009  10:01 PM ET

Don't tell me Jr. finished further back than Kyle again.

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