This may be the start of something big

MRM

MRM

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I'm going on record to say that Dale Jr's win tonight in the Nationwide race will jump start Junior being a factor once again in the Cup series. I have never seen Junior be so open, making numerous remarks about the fans, and just seem to have something open up for him. It's like whatever has been holding him down the last few years has been lifted.
 
Yep I agree.He seemed like a different person.This win came with Eury Jr. as his crew chief.
 
I'll go on record saying it won't be. The Nationwide series isn't the Cup series. He doesn't have Jimmie, Jeff and the others to deal with. I'm not a Jr hater either (even though I can't stand the majority of his fans) I just don't think he will do any better cause of this race.
 
It would be great for the sport if JR would start winning again and running like he did in the #8 but we have to keep in mind this was a Nationwide race.
 
Maybe he finally figured out exactly how much talent he has and where he really belongs. :D
 
MRM said:
I'm going on record to say that Dale Jr's win tonight in the Nationwide race will jump start Junior being a factor once again in the Cup series. I have never seen Junior be so open, making numerous remarks about the fans, and just seem to have something open up for him. It's like whatever has been holding him down the last few years has been lifted.
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Jr said it best in his post race interview: "It's a lottery out there." Daytona is one of those tracks where the Derrik Cope's of NASCAR can get wins. Don't look too far into anything until he starts doing something on non-restrictor plate tracks.
 
Even though the cars still look far from "Stock," the appearance of the race looked a lot better last night. I won't say that it was any better or worse but the fact that you could tell the difference in sheet metal from a distance was an improvement.

QUESTION: What was the deal with Jr.'s engine? In the post race he made reference twice to not doing a [dumb] burnout because he didn't want to damage the engine and he couldn't wait to get it back to Hendrick's ship for it to be analyzed? I know the sheet metal was different on the cars but were they running new engines too? It was evident that Jr. REALLY wanted to look at that engine, more so than I've ever seen him do in past races. I thought it kind of odd.

Does anyone know anything about this?
 
I've never understood why the burnouts. You've got a good motor that can be refreshed, a decent block and heads with a unknown number of expensive machining hours invested that you over-rev, suck a valve and destroy everything.
Like reading tire temps can give info as to the cars handling tearing down the motor does likewise, possible giving info into possible future parts failure.
Doesn't make sense to me.
 
Hendrick must of been playing around with something on their Plate engine program. I read part of the interview and found it very interesting that he kept emphasizing that point. I know there are so many fans out there that want Jr to run the 3 in Cup with Childress, but it looks like he won't. We were talking the other day at work about Jr possibly being the odd man out at Hendrick when Kasey comes over. The lack of results , so far being the factor that possibly might make that come about. I for one would love to see that, but doubt really that it will ever happen. I worked last night so I missed all the race, must of been a media frenzy when Jr went to the lead. I'm sure the announcers couldn't stop talking about it!;)
 
I thought it was great to see him win in that car. I don't watch the Nationwide series, but I knew about this one ( Jr. in the 3 car) and was happy to see the result.
 
I did love to see him win and I was NOT a fan of his father's. I've always liked the kid for some reason, maybe he has always appeared to me to be quite humble. Last night he looked that for sure. I do wonder now if Logano just didn't give his complete best at the end, but that we'll never know and I'm sure for those Jr haters it will be fodder for debate. As for the burnouts, I thought the Nationwide Series had different rules for engines which made it hard for winning teams to do the burnouts and then be able to use the same engine later. I guess some people just can't be pleased. It was nice to see him acknowledging the fans after the win with a wave.
 
MRM said:
I'm going on record to say that Dale Jr's win tonight in the Nationwide race will jump start Junior being a factor once again in the Cup series. I have never seen Junior be so open, making numerous remarks about the fans, and just seem to have something open up for him. It's like whatever has been holding him down the last few years has been lifted.
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I wouldn't hold my breath MRM

...he sure seemed glad to have Eury Jr on the box.....and great to see the 3 dressed in Wranglers
 
I just kind of figured the win was so cool in itself, Dale Jr. in that 3 car with that paint, it didn't need a burnout....I don't remember Sr. doin a damn burnout
 
The win was great for all Earnhardt fans of all ages for several reasons on Friday night. I doubt the win will propel him into anything more than a second tier team. I know Hendrick is the top dawg operation, but for a team to have 4 star drivers and for all to be successful is a stetch. All those years of 5 car Rousch, usually only 3 were top tier teams. Junior even admiited last night, his team and himself did not have the right car setup last night, and his top 5 was more than a product of the Kurt Busch wrecking the field.

As for Junior opening up after the race, it is easy when you win and your the most popular in NASCAR. Heck, seemed liked ESPN gave him about 10 minutes to talk, and he kept talking. Still, I like Junior but something seems real odd about him to me. He just seems to have something going on internally that show in his face during interviews. Maybe the fact that he had it the way he wanted at DEI until the evil stepmother took it all away.
 
GREAT AMERICAN RACE FAN said:
The win was great for all Earnhardt fans of all ages for several reasons on Friday night. I doubt the win will propel him into anything more than a second tier team. I know Hendrick is the top dawg operation, but for a team to have 4 star drivers and for all to be successful is a stetch. All those years of 5 car Rousch, usually only 3 were top tier teams. Junior even admiited last night, his team and himself did not have the right car setup last night, and his top 5 was more than a product of the Kurt Busch wrecking the field.

As for Junior opening up after the race, it is easy when you win and your the most popular in NASCAR. Heck, seemed liked ESPN gave him about 10 minutes to talk, and he kept talking. Still, I like Junior but something seems real odd about him to me. He just seems to have something going on internally that show in his face during interviews. Maybe the fact that he had it the way he wanted at DEI until the evil stepmother took it all away.
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I think he isn't really happy, I too have noticed something in his interviews. I really think the DEI fiasco took a lot out of him. Jr lose the beard too, dude it does nothing for you! IMO if he drove for Childress some day I think he would have more success. He is overshadowed by too many drivers at Hendrick, I think he needs more of one to one relationship with his owner. Even though he has stated in the that he is close to Hendrick, it just isn't showing. Maybe i'm reading more into it than I should, maybe Jr just doesn't have the "drive" anymore to take it to the next level as a lot of people have been saying. It would be good for the sport if some day he does beocme Championship material again.
 
I had really hoped that his finish Friday night may have built more confidence but I think that was wiped out after taking the green Saturday night. He finished 4th in a 20th + place car. The car was complete crap all night long until the elimination of the rest of the field. He was never a factor on a track where he normally excels at. Friday was great for him but I don't see many positives coming out of Saturday at all.
 
Mopardh9 said:
I think he isn't really happy, I too have noticed something in his interviews. I really think the DEI fiasco took a lot out of him. Jr lose the beard too, dude it does nothing for you! IMO if he drove for Childress some day I think he would have more success. He is overshadowed by too many drivers at Hendrick, I think he needs more of one to one relationship with his owner. Even though he has stated in the that he is close to Hendrick, it just isn't showing. Maybe i'm reading more into it than I should, maybe Jr just doesn't have the "drive" anymore to take it to the next level as a lot of people have been saying. It would be good for the sport if some day he does beocme Championship material again.
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Not because of his father being there, I just think he is a much better fit at R.C.R. I hope one day he will drive for R.C.R., not in the 3 but the 8.
 
I don't know what's going on with him (although I have an idea) but I guess that's his business, but - I think that the Hendrick Halo just doesn't fit that well.

IMO, he'd be best off to go drive for RCR now and just get it over with.

While he's at it, I also suggest that he send those Eurys to setting pins in a bowling alley somewhere.
 
Dale, Jr. left little room for doubt as to his feelings during the post race interview. Dale, Jr., is looking to the future and is asking and telling at the same time, others to put the expectations and comparisons to his father behind him so he can get on with his life.

Dale, Jr. has had a tough road to follow and has been under the microscope since his father's demise. Dale, Jr., has been expected to perform like his father as were Kyle Petty and then Adam Petty, before his tragic death, expected to perform like Richard Petty. Where Kyle broke away temporarily and made racing secondary to becoming a country singer, which broke the mold of criticism and comparisons, Dale, Jr. continued, until this past Friday night, to deal with his own and others expectations.

If anything, I admire and respect Dale, Jr., for who and what he is. Dale, Jr., has told the world he is done driving the #3, and asking people to, not only get on with their lives but to afford him the same luxury. And it sure as God made little green apples, sounds to me like he has his head on one helluva lot straighter than fans of his fathers his critics or his followers.

Dale, Jr. has nothing to prove to anyone. He is his own person. He is not Dale Earnhardt, Sr..
Dale, Jr's., record is not as exemplary as Sr's., but in his way and on his terms, Dale, Jr., is successful, a proven winner, a savvy businessman, well respected by his peers, and a person who has a handle on where he is going, what he wants to accomplish and how he expects to accomplish his goals.
His words indicate he is humble, cares about his fans and others and his actions back his words. Not a lot of folks who can have those sterling attributes. Of course, after being a follower of NASCAR for 50 years it is fully understood your opinion may vary.
 
Until Jr wins 7 titles he'll be compared to his dad. I don't recall the same type of scrutiny for DJ when he raced in busch winning only twice in 5 years. Jr won the title twice.
It took DJ 12 years in cup to win the title. 32 years with 24 wins. Jr has 18 wins in 12 years but no title in cup.

I can't imagine the pressure he's under living in the shadow of one of the sport's biggest icons.
 
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