Hendrick defends Junior
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was involved in a late incident, lost several spots and finished 26th. He fell two spots to 20th in the season standings. He’s 277 points out of 12th.
Car owner Rick Hendrick defended Earnhardt before Sunday’s race.
“He’s had all his racing career doing things one way,’’ Hendrick said. “Talking to the crew chief and communicating. Now, all of a sudden we’re saying with a new crew chief and working more hands-on with the engineers, this is the way they’d like for you to break it down.
“If you heard him on the radio, he’s doing a heck of a job. He’s trying to change to give them better information so they can do a better job. These cars are not like fix it and I’ll drive it. You’ve got to be a part of it.
“I couldn’t ask him to work any harder than he’s working. I don’t care what anybody says. He’s committed. He’s dedicated. And he’s showing up and he’s trying. That’s all I can ask him to do. I feel we’ve let him down, maybe I’ve let him down by not probably pulling the trigger (on the crew chief change) earlier for his sake and for Tony Jr.’s sake. I think both of those guys are going to be better off.
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We had a hell of a run going yesterday - up to 9th and then taken out by a dive bomber - I was just sick. It was so unnecessary - but the rest of the race was pretty interesting. Hmmmm, who is that person in first place in the league again?
That is one heck of an endorsement from the boss. With equipment and commitment like that it has to get better from here on out.
I was always “ho-hum” about road-course racing even though Leguna Seca was (literally) in my back yard for many years. This year it “clicked” w/me - I loved the different challenges, the bumping and thump’n, (”dive-bombing”, is that a new NASCAR word?) and I’d love to get back to Sonoma too. Mrs. Happydog says we can go next year, Lord willing.
I don’t think most fans and such realize how heavy these CoTanks are and how hard they are to wangle thru Esses and hairpin turns.. they are not built for road racing.. but designed to not flip and such.
I guess no one nailed the gravel pits this year.. I dozed thru a good portion of the race. :-) I doubt just flooring a CoT would have gotten it out tho..
Junior needs to just keep pluggin’..