See, now if ya all remember my sayin before NASCAR'S most popular may just be goin towards the door if they dont get they're SHIT together. Of Course the first changes will be Crew members but HENDRICKS isnt happy.

quote:

NASCAR'S most popular Driver! We gave him all the tools he need's, and we are very concerned when he finishes 40th.

If the #88 team continues on their own path, not taking similar type set-ups that the other 3 teams are doin he's gonna be smelling a PINK SLIP in his future.

Jr's average finish is 21st and has only led 88 lap's the entire season.

Like I said before the guy just can't drive.He should give Nationwide a try. Everyone only likes JR because they can't cheer for SR anymore. He lacks talent period.

Yep, I Agree. Ive said before Jr. has Talent, but it will NEVER compare to the Talent that Dale Sr. had. Even Jr has said he will never be as good as his dad.

I know Hendrick has gotta be kickin his own Ass for trading Kyle Bush for Jr.

I think Jr would be better off in NATIONWIDE also!

I am not trying to piss any body off because I know JR has a major fan base, why I'll never know but If he doesn't have a solid year and doesn't make the chase with the best team and money in nascar where does he go from here Doug?

He has not been good since he lost Tony Sr. (Pops)... But maybe he can do something again. He and Tony Jr. Just do not click!

well i guess well get to see if he can do any better, scince tony won't be his crew cheif any more. giving him a new one starting this next race.

quote:

Originally posted by powertrain:
I am not trying to piss any body off because I know JR has a major fan base, why I'll never know but If he doesn't have a solid year and doesn't make the chase with the best team and money in nascar where does he go from here Doug?

Hmmmm! IDK but if ya remember I said when Jr was getting ready for his BIG press release from DEI, I had said something about he should stick with his Jr MotorSports and Race Nationwide a couple seasons.

BTW! Ya I agree, for some reason Jr. has a HUGE following. I cant figure it out either. I like him and give respect mainly cuz of Dale Sr. & for that Id like to see him do well.

Oh Well, We Shall See....

Not tryin to piss anyone off either, but heres my opinion on it. Ive been a Jr fan since he was racing in the busch (now nationwide) series. Ive thought all along that there was a huge problem when Johnson, Gordon, and Martin are finishing in the top 10 and winning races, and jr has the same top notch equipment and has dismal finishes week after week. A crew cheif change was absouletly necessiary. But to say that he lacks talent all together is a bit much IMO. I dont think you get to race with 42 of the worlds best drivers without any talent. And I dont know of anyone from Jr's era who can compare to Dale sr, so thats not a legit comparison. Not making excuses for him or his team, but if theres a team who has more pressure than anyone else to succeed, its the 88 bunch. For the most part, he is the face of nascar. If you asked someone who doesnt follow the sport at all to name a driver, i would bet his name would pop up more than any other. Jr has such a huge fan base because he pulled all the earnhardt fans when his father passed, but also because he appealed to the younger crowd since when he came into cup he was in his 20's. He appeals to all, and is a big reason behind the growing fan base in nascar. Hes on MTV, CMT, late night shows, you name it. And thats a big part of why Rick Hendrick got rid of Busch for him. Busch is kinda a hated type guy because of his driving style, a villian if you will. whereas JR has his loyal following and a "good guy" image for the most part. Lets face it, the guy markets himself. Now im sure Hendrick wants to see Jr be successful, maybe compete for a title. But if nothing else, the guy is bringing bookoo bucks to the table. He hasnt won at all this season, and when you go to the track, jr's souviner hauler has a line longer than any other, and the stands are a sea of amp green and nat'l guard blue. Racing is not a cheap sport by any means, so you gotta make the cash where you can. And Jr does just that. Hes got endorsements out the a$$.....heck, budweiser wanted to follow him to hendrick but rick had other agreements with sponsors, and also didnt want a beer sponsor. Bottom line, even if jr never won another race (which i doubt), hes still a cash crop for whatever team he's with. Everyone wants to win, but its all about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

and very well said!!!

Dont Get what I said confused or take it out of context. I said nothing about Jr. not having TALENT or lacking TALENT, I said; "Jr has Talent, but it will NEVER compare to the TALENT of Dale Sr." BIG DIFFERENCE!
I made that comparison cuz thats what the majority of the NASCAR POPULATION has been doing for Yrs and you cant deny that.

As for Jr. being "THE FACE OF NASCAR"; Thats exactly where his POPULARITY derives from his that he is Dale Sr's. Son. Thats where & why people that dont really follow NASCAR know Jr's name more so than other's is cuz anyone and everyone in the WORLD knows the name Dale Earndhart. That's the same reasoning as to why you see Jr. on the show's you mentioned also, cuz he is the most popular name in NASCAR.

I dont think you are correct in saying Jr is the FACE of NASCAR, cuz there is No Way Anyone can look past the "3 X NASCAR CHAMPION" Jimmy Johnson" The FACT that the #48 TEAM has WON the CHAMPIONSHIP 3 yrs in a row and #48 is only the 2nd DRIVER in HISTORY to do such a thing.
ANY NASCAR commercial on the TV always shows Jimmy Johnson as The 3 X CHAMPION, the they show other FACE'S of NASCAR like Jr and so on.

"JIMMY JOHNSON" is The FACE of NASCAR! Dale Jr. is just the most POPULAR Driver in NASCAR.

The BIGGEST part of why Rick Hendricks picked Jr was very much publicized that, Due to the long History of Hendrick and Dale Sr. watching Jr come around the Tracks as a KID Hendrick and Jr. did a FAUX Contract saying someday Jr. would race for Hendrick. As well as Hendricks knowing and thinking Jr. would be able to Win a Championship given a better surrounding and equipment, due to the bad standing between Jr & his Step Mom at "DEI". This and the Obvious FACT that Jr has TALENT and Kyle even though he has TALENT was on & off with his Racing, has a LOVE/HATE FAN BASE where Jr Has a POSITIVE FAN BASE.
To end; Like I said before & I'll say again now. If any of you think for a second that Hendricks wont Fire and part way's with Jr if he continues down this road, you are in for a RUDE AWAKENING! If he doesnt start doing better and even Win a couple Race's He's gonna see a PINK SLIP for sure.

HENDRICKS Has TONS of $$$$$$$$$$$$! Ya the $$$ he makes off Jr is good and all, but you are DEAD WRONG if you think HENDRICKS cares MORE about Jr's $$$ over a CHAMPIONSHIP.

I wasnt referring to you saying jr had not talent, i was speaking of what powertrain said. "he lacks talent period". As far as Jimmie being the face of NASCAR, i dont really disagree with what you said. Jimmie is an excellent driver. No doubt about that. heres what i mean though. When i say face of NASCAR, i mean the household name that people from all over, fans or not, know. And you elluded to that yourself by saying hes the most popular driver. If Jr were to die tomorrow, this sport would take a huge hit.... There would be no Earnhardt to cheer for, and i have a hard time believing that there would be no reduction in ticket sales, things like that. Like it or not, hes an icon and a wonderful ambassador for the sport. He's got name recognition. Now dont get me wrong, the true NASCAR fans would still be fans, and some folks would find another driver, but who? All his fans who were his daddys fans....i doubt they'll be cheering for johnson or gordon. And what about the folks who arent really NASCAR fans , but more so just a part of "JrNation"? Hell, anytime the guy leads a lap(which hasnt been often...) the roar from the crowd is deafning. I understand hes not god, but i just think alot of people dont realize how big a part hes been in growing the sport and pulling fans from all walks of life, all skin colors, all cities, etc. And all those fans are dollar signs for the sport. And he's still doing it in the midst of a huge slump.

As far as Hendricks wanting to sign Jr based on the contract written on a napkin when he was 10, i think thats just a good storyline. Yeah it happened, but i doubt thats the reason he signed jr. And kyle had to go because hes immature and couldnt get along with his teammates. You are dead on though about Rick thinking that Jr. could possibly win a title if he got into a more postitive enviroment. After Jr. asked for ownership of DEI and she slammed the door, there was no way things couldve remained positive over there. But all in all, i still believe that the dollar signs played a significant part in rick signing him. I know rick has money, and no i dont think rick cares more about dollar signs than success, but money talks. Which is why if Hendrick ever did let him go, someone else would scoop him right up.

If Jr. doesnt turn it around, yeah Hendrick probably will cut him loose. But i dont think Rick is anywhere close to doing that. Yes, he needs to win some races and do something with the excellent resources hes been given...ill be the first to admit that. I think he'll be much better off with a new crew cheif. Family matters dont usually go well in business. Like i said, im a Jr. fan and i want to see him succeed just as much as anyone else. Good discussion here though doug And i respect your opinions and am in no way trying to argue. Just sharing the way i see it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Silverbullet5.7,

110% that this is a good discussion and NO WORRIES, Im not mad 1 bit or OFFENDED.


Your still NEW hear so you may not have read everything in this NASCAR area, but Im a HUGE "NASCAR NUT". Its my BIGGEST PASSION. I LOVE the Sport and then my FAVORITE is; in this Order: 1] #24 J.Gordon 2] #48 J.J. 3] TEAM HENDRICKS.

When you get a chance read through some of these threads in NASCAR. Some Good Stuff in Here.