AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > June > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLittle E now on big team
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Mooresville, N.C. — Let’s start by squashing any lingering concerns that Dale Earnhardt Jr. might still struggle to distinguish himself from his legendary namesake and others on the NASCAR circuit.
Because the only way Earnhardt could distinguish himself any more right now is if he was dipped in dayglow orange.
He is leaving the company started by and still named for his father. He declared himself a free agent with six months left in the season. And after five weeks of playing footsie with competing teams, Earnhardt said Wednesday he is going to race next season with his current chief rival.
I realize several things are unique to NASCAR. (One guy owning four competing teams. Nice.) But I hear Earnhardt — in June, with 22 races left — speak of how much he’s going to love driving for Rick Hendrick and palling around with Jeff Gordon next season and I think of Tom Brady announcing in Week Six, “I’ll be with the Jets next season. Hey look, we play them this week!”
Junior wanted to move out on his own.
Junior wants to stand on his own two feet.
Junior, you are so far out there now. OK, let’s see what you’ve got.
It’s easy to forget, amid Earnhardt’s popularity and $20 million in annual earnings, that he has won only two races in the last two and one-third seasons (zero this year).
Yes, it comforts his legion of fans to blame the evil stepmother, Teresa, because, well, she’s not on T-shirts. But two weeks ago, Earnhardt’s obscure teammate, Martin Truex Jr., won a race in Dover in only his second season. Dale, the lesser Jr., finished 22nd.
Was that Teresa’s fault, too? Did she sabotage Dale’s tires again?
Junior: Say goodbye to excuses.
Hendrick spoke Wednesday of the pressure he felt he was going to be under to supply the best equipment and atmosphere for three of the sport’s marquee drivers — Earnhardt, Gordon and Jimmie Johnson (also on the team: Casey Mears, in the role of Zeppo Marx).
That might be true. But nobody should feel more pressure than Earnhardt. This shouldn’t be about making money or pleasing sponsors or displaying a cool, easy charm for fans, all of which he does extraordinarily well. It’s about winning a race.
Earnhardt acknowledged he feels some pressure but said, “I’m excited. I feel comfortable. I don’t think the pressure will get to me.” That was the right answer.
But when alluding to expectations and competing for a championship, he could’ve used a speechwriter.
“I’ve always said I’ve done more in this sport than I’ve ever anticipated,” he said. “I just wanted to be able to pay my bills. Once I got past that, everything was a bonus.”
He said he would “cherish a championship on my mantel when all is said and done.” But it almost sounded forced and lacked conviction.
It’s not like Earnhardt has been devoid of any success. He has won 17 races.
But now he needs Mapquest to find victory lane. He has been there only twice since winning six times in 2004. He has only one top-five finish this season. He has led only one lap in the past six races, three laps in the past eight. He also was docked 100 points and his crew chief was fined $100,000 and suspended six races for an illegal modification to the rear wing (read: cheating).
Right now, Earnhardt has brand recognition and nothing else. If not for that, you wonder if anybody would fight over him.
We can’t begin to know how this will work until Daytona next season. Fans have some time to decide which direction to go, following Junior or staying with DEI. There are no divided loyalties in NASCAR (at least not outside of ownership).
Earnhardt fans so despise Gordon, his impending Hendrick teammate, that they threw beer cans at his car after he won his 77th career race in Talladega because he passed the elder Earnhardt on the all-time wins list.
This isn’t to suggest that if Earnhardt doesn’t start winning, he will be pelted by his own fans. But as targets go, he won’t be hard to find.
He stands out.
Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment | Categories: Auto Racing, Jeff Schultz
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By Linda Huson
June 13, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
I feel that one of the reasons Dale Jr. isn’t winning races lately is because his relationship with Teresa Earnhardt has affected his mindset. He is driving for an owner who seems to care not a fig for him (or the other drivers at DEI). He said he wants to drive for someone who supports him. And roots for him. And cares if he wins or not. That can make a huge difference. At least in my way of thinking it does.
By gojr
June 13, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this
This is undoubtedly a confusing scenario for the “Old School” Earnhardt faithful. But you can’t blame Jr. He’s offered a chance to drive for the most dominate team in NASCAR.How can anyone blame him for accepting ? It’ll sure be a plus on the superspeedways when he’s in need of a drafting partner. They’ve been few and far between lately. I think Hendrick will be happy to provide the Mapquest link and you’ll see Jr. in Victory Lane frequently over the next few years. You’ll also see the current disenchanted, flock back to support to support him. Schultz, if you were somewhat qualified to write an opinion on NASCAR, you’d realize that Truex isn’t exactly “obscure”.
On a side note, I’m interested in seeing how big of a expletive Teresa is when she makes a decision on the # 8.
By jon
June 13, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
No 8 nation is scared to death. Not only did all their $300 jackets just become worthless, but now the driver they believe to be the 2nd best driver ever, is going to have no excuse. What happens if that sissy from California wins races in 2008 and The Chosen One doesn’t when he has the same stuff that 24 does? They already believe that The Chosen One doesn’t win because of a NASCAR conspiracy, what will they think if The Chosen One loses with Hendricks?
By Me
June 13, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
Well in a year or less you will have the JJ, Jeff, Jr triangle that you always have with multi-car teams and big name drivers. “He’s getting better stuff than me”. “Their budget is bigger than ours”. Be careful what you wish for.
By gojr
June 13, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
I think a whole lot of the “No. 8 nation” is elated to see that Jr. now has a boss with more than just a passive knowledge of racing. I don’t know that many Jr. fans who believe Jr. is the 2nd best driver ever. I know tons who love to see the Earnhardt name in Victory Lane because they loved to see his father win and acknowledge that it was ‘Big E” that was a huge part of what turned NASCAR from a regional sport into a national phenomenon. Forgive us for being nostalgic. My view of Jr. is of someone who could be one of the best and a Cup champion if he’d focus more on racing and less on all the sideshows. At the same time I realize all the sideshows means $$ and NASCAR is all about commercialism. It’s not his fault for having an easily commercialized name. Many, like Jon, resent seeing him getting so much attention and don’t feel he has earned it. Time will tell, but I think you will see him earn his notoriety with Hendrick. Frankly, he couldn’t have picked a better race team to establish his own validity and identity and I think that that has been bigger struggle for him than most realize. A few wins paired with Gordon and you’ll be amazed to see how many Jr. fans change their opinion of Gordon. Besides that, Gordon is now a father and we now know that he is not gay after all. :-)
By gojr
June 13, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Just another quick note to Jon. Talk to a NASCAR merchandise dealer and see what they tell you about Jr’s merchandise sales AFTER he announced he was leaving DEI. If you were smart you’d run out and buy you one of those $300 jackets while you can.
By jon
June 13, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this
gojr,
In order for a “collectable” to become valuable, it has to be rare. That the toothless nation all rushed out to buy another red jacket with No 8 on it only diminishes the value of all of them in the long run.
As to Jr establishing his validity and identity, I guess time will tell. He might even be a driver someday, he puts butts in the seats, that’s for sure, but NASCAR has a perception problem coming to the front, and you see it on many of these blogs, and that is that it is becoming pro wrestling. I know I’ve quit paying as much attention to the activity since it became just a question of which Hendrick car is going to win each week. So in 2008 we have Gordon, his little btch Johnson, or his little btch Earnhardt, winning every week and 40 other cars filling out the field. Doesn’t look good for the activity that is already seeing declining TV ratings and attendance.
My observation at the track is that the Gordon - Earnhart rivalry, however manufactured it is, generated a lot of interest. And now Jr is sleeping with the enemy….hmmmmm.
By CT
June 14, 2007 6:54 AM | Link to this
The ignorance in all of those blasting Teresa Earnhardt. Just because Junior doesn’t get along with her doesn’t mean she doesn’t care. It means that they have a difference of opinion. She was the one who got shafted because Dale and Kelly’s coup d’etat failed and everyone took his side. If she didn’t care, she would have sold a long time ago and Truex would be jumping ship. Instead, Truex is saying that he’s pleased to be #1 there and she still spends top $$ to provide for a growing team. DEI will be successful without Junior and Truex may actually make Jr’s departure that much easier for those who align with DEI
By john b
June 14, 2007 7:36 AM | Link to this
AMEN and AMEN
By Edgar
June 14, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this
Only time will tell if Jr. can revive the passion he had in 04. I haven’t seen that in the last couple of years and I’m sure many of the fans see it that way too. There are many factors that went into his decision and speculation on what they were can only be answered by Jr. himself. He’s not a kid anymore and sometimes you can see and hear it when people ask him a question about his father he’s always polite to give them the quote they want to hear. Let this man go out and be his own person. If I had the chance to go to Hendrick Motor Sports I’d jump at the opportunity. Will he win? Who knows. I do know he will have the best equipment and personnel at his disposal.
By Rowndman
June 14, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
What is really great is what do all of those idiots do with that “8” they tattooed on themselves?
By Calvin Williams
June 14, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
Did Jr. not shake your hand or what? Take your bitter attitude and move to jackassville, you’ll be right at home.
By chase
June 14, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
I, for one, living in a large New England city and, at times, feeling very lonely not knowing very many NASCAR fans, am thrilled for Jr. That said, I foresee a time when he will return to DEI and run it correctly. I look at my two 8 tattoos and realize that they are now ‘vintage’ which isn’t a bad thing at all. Let him work with people who are really behind him and let’s see how he does - I think a lot of you naysayers will be quite surprised - I believe that now he will be totally focused on driving in all aspects of his life. I’m hoping Tony Jr. and crew will go with him and of course its a given that Bud will be with him as well (see their announcement). Let’s give him a chance - and watch what happens.
By 24-48 Fan
June 14, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
Maybe Jeff can now teach Jr. how to drive a car to win, not just make the fans stand up and cheer. Driving a race car to win is about getting your car to the end in the best shape it can be in. Ever notice how Jr. charges to the front and then just fades and fades. He uses his stuff up but now 24 and 48, they seem to just get better and better as the race goes on. Save your stuff Jr. and you may one day join Jeff, Jimmy, Matt Henseth, Tony Stewart and some of the other better drivers up on that podium. Welcome to Rick’s family - you chose the best but you’ve got a long way to go to join his elite drivers. Sit and talk with Jeff a lot and you may finally get it.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
June 14, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
It’s really a lot of fun to watch and listen to A LOT NOT ALL(caps for a reason) Jr.’s fans who have been so vulgar and mean toward the best driver, Gordan, for no reason except he’s a winner, whine and cry in their beer cans. Gordan has had to fight his way through a lot of bad luck these past few years but he hung in there, kept fighting and is now winning again. We members of the “Gordan Nation” wish Jr. well and welcome him aboard the “A Train”.
By Chase
June 14, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
I love Buck’s last sentence - the “A Train” - I think that’s very fitting indeed. The Red Army and the Rainbow Warriors = A Train! Terrific! And for those of you who don’t get it, think about it.
By Dooley
June 14, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
Little E is over rated as a driver. He will fail at RH just like he did at DEI. If he wins a championship, it will be a miracle. The competition is too stiff. I seriously doubt even Dale Sr. could hang with the younger drivers competing now. Even Gordon was eating his lunch almost every Sunday afternoon.
By Matthew At The SLC
June 14, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
I ought to apply for the driver opening at DEI. I was heck on wheels back when I raced go-carts. With the correct knee braces I am sure I could last a 500 mile race. Turn left, stomp the gas, then turn left again. How hard could that really be? I’ll just make sure I don’t try a right turn or I might wind up like Dale Sr.
By rj
June 14, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this
You may not be a Jr fan, you may not be a Gordan fan, or even a NASCAR fan. But, may you burn in hell for your ignorant comments toward a truly honerable man. May we all live to have half of Senior’s humility.