Can Dale Jr. win the cup this year?

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4xchampncountin

Guest
I really never thought I would say it was possible. But, I am starting to think it is more possible than ever. He is very close to the points lead after Martinville. He really did impress me quite a bit at Martinville. In the past, Junior has really struggled on tracks where the driver is as big of a factor as it is at Martinville. It seemed like the only place he could win was when his equipment was so superior to his competition's that he was able to win. No, I still don't think he will win. But, I really don't think it is impossible as I once did. Any opinions?
 
It seems he has matured a lot lately. Some of his comments lead me to believe he is looking at the big picture. (points)

Can he win the Cup, yes I think he can. Will he win the cup this year, I don't know. We are only 9 races into the season. I'm reserving judgement until the half way point. If I had my way, Jeff would win his 5th. But, I guess we just have to wait and see.
 
He has proven that he is capable of running good most everywhere. If he can keep it up past halfway I would say he's got a good chance. a little luck also helps.
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
 
Yes, I think Jr can win the Cup this year, but so can any of the guys in the top 15 or so right now. It's way too early to say.

I think that the pressure will begin to build after the Easter break for him to take the points lead as FOX said multiple times today: "for the first time in his career". The hype of being in the top 5 and the stress of the constant media attention for him to do well every week is going to be intense.

I think he looks relaxed and confident right now, but everything has went smoothly for several weeks. It'll be interesting to watch how he handles the pressure of his first title hunt.

Lots of veterans have withered under the intense pressure. Just ask Ricky Rudd. Jarrett, and Martin in the last few years how crazt it gets the last 1/4 of the season.
 
Those are some very good points Edison...Everything has gone very smoothly so far. He and NASCAR have done everything they can to this point to ensure things go smoothly. Eventually though, things will happen that they can not control. How he reacts to that will be the key I believe. I really hope he can handle the pressure and succeed. I still hope he does well, even in spite of NASCAR's meddling. I am trying not to hold that against him. I also think it would be good for the sport if Junior can legitimately win consistently. He has a huge fan base that seems to be growing constantly.
 
Anything can happen. That's why they run the races. That's what makes it fun...been a good season so far.
 
Originally posted by 4xchampncountin@Apr 13 2003, 06:46 PM
He and NASCAR have done everything they can to this point to ensure things go smoothly.
I like how you slide that in there.
I don't see him winning the championdhip this year. I just have never thought he was championship material. But you knw it's all about how bad him and Nascar want it.
 
Originally posted by paul@Apr 13 2003, 11:24 PM
I think it's pretty clear he's going to.
It kind of looks that was doesn't it? B)

As I said, and will not back down, he has had help. But I still don't think that help alone will be enough. I don't feel he had any help today, he just drove his butt off. I will give credit where credit is due. He is improving.
 
you people seem to forget he had 2 top 5's at Msville last year. JR will be a threat. :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
 
Sure,Junior can win the title....about two weeks after the Earth crashes into the sun.I wouldn't hold my breath.Still to one-dimensional to challenge once Gordon and Stewart get some momentum going.And fellow rookie-class mate Kenseth is better on a much larger variety of tracks.
 
can he? sure.
will he? im not so sure.
It all depends on if he gets a concusion and doesnt tell anyone
 
JR. has had some pretty solid runs. Even without the Daga win. Can he win the title. I would say he has just as good a shat as anybody else.
 
C'mon. Jr. said it himself...

"I don't feel that I get treated any differently," Earnhardt said. "It's humorous to me to hear that somebody thinks NASCAR would show favoritism, because if you were in my shoes you would see the other end of that. They don't."

Source.

Daddies shoes. Daddies fans. Daddies (and Theresa's) money.
 
Originally posted by Highboy90@Apr 14 2003, 01:46 AM
C'mon. Jr. said it himself...

"I don't feel that I get treated any differently," Earnhardt said. "It's humorous to me to hear that somebody thinks NASCAR would show favoritism, because if you were in my shoes you would see the other end of that. They don't."

Source.

Daddies shoes. Daddies fans. Daddies (and Theresa's) money.
Apparently he hasn't seen the tape of his blatantly illegal pass of Jimmie Johnson at 'Dega. :rolleyes: :p
 
I think It is VERY possible but not this year, It will be next year though.
 
Not taking into consideration the bogus win at Dega.....Junior has proved this year that he can be consistent . That is what it takes to win championships,but there are about 15 other teams that have a legitimate chance at the title. Like i said way back at the Jan. testing in DAYTONA he is more focused than he has ever been. Oh yeh paul all the fix BS aside ....JR is a better racer than he was last year, not only is he healthy he has the skills, the money, and the people behind him to win. I personally don't think he will do it this year though, my pick would be Jeff Gordon. :D
 
i think he can, but i also think anyone in the top 7 have shown so far they can.......we'll see where the 68 points from dega that everyone wants to take away from jr plays into it....would be quite the pisser if he won the title by 69 points... :lol:
 
Originally posted by 97forever@Apr 13 2003, 06:38 PM
Sure,Junior can win the title....about two weeks after the Earth crashes into the sun.I wouldn't hold my breath.Still to one-dimensional to challenge once Gordon and Stewart get some momentum going.And fellow rookie-class mate Kenseth is better on a much larger variety of tracks.
2001 Driver standings

1 -- Jeff Gordon 5112 Leader 36 6 18 24 $6,649,080
2 -- Tony Stewart 4763 -349 36 3 15 22 $3,493,040
3 +1 Sterling Marlin 4741 -371 36 2 12 20 $3,361,660
4 -1 Ricky Rudd 4706 -406 36 2 14 22 $3,976,200
5 -- Dale Jarrett 4612 -500 36 4 12 19 $4,608,370
6 -- Bobby Labonte 4561 -551 36 2 9 20 $4,139,850
7 -- Rusty Wallace 4481 -631 36 1 8 14 $4,272,410
8 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. 4460 -652 36 3 9 15 $5,384,630
9 -- Kevin Harvick* 4406 -706 35 2 6 16 $3,716,630
10 -- Jeff Burton 4394 -718 36 2 8 16 $3,866,330

Notice the driver ranked 8th. 3 wins, 9 top 5s, 15 top 10's. This was 2 yrs ago. Everyone knows what happened last year. I don't know how you can say 1 dimensional. He is getting more an more consistent with every year and race. He has every chance to win the championship.



97 forever, I am not singling you out, your post reflects the perception of several people on the forum.
 
That's ok,Dino.No offense taken at all.I will try to explain my 'one-dimensional' remark by this illustration,using those old 'rivals' Kenseth and Junior:

Junior:Race starts:120,wins-8,top 5's-27,top 10's-42

Kenseth:Race starts:121,wins-7,top 5's-25,top 10's-48

Ok,so far our guys are about equal in wins,5's and 10's.

The points standings are even closer,believe it or not.Both have a three year average of about 11.6.Almost excactly the same!An eighth place being the heighest finish by either in the points.

But a few more stats tell a different story:

Most victories in a year:

Kenseth with 5.
Earnhardt with 3.


Most different tracks won on.
Kenseth on 7.
Earnhardt on 5.

The key to this is that 5 of Juniors wins have been at plate-races.This is where his one-dimensional handle comes from,imo.Without the plates,possibly Junior would have only three wins.Impossible to say,of course....but certainly the restrictor plates have been his strong point.

And really his only strong point.His short track program is better than it was.But still not invincible there either.
And road courses and flat tracks?He needs work.A lot of work.

Kenseth is so much more versatile as to be almost in another league,however:7 wins...7 different tracks.Texas,Vegas,Charlotte,or Richmond or Phoenix.
Kenseth is much more Jeff Gordon-like in his ability to run good at most tracks.Junior is more limited in his abilities,at least to this point.

I just consider that a 'one-dimensional' trait.Junior may well eventually win the title.It's possible,nearly anything is.

But write it down:He will never,ever,not in a million years beat guys like Stewart,Gordon,Kenseth,Newman,Busch,etc.Until he learns to run good at all the tracks.He might beat 'em here or there every now and then....but not consistently enough to win the title.

Anyway,thats my opinion. :cheers:
 
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