Live From Lowe's: Earnhardt, Gordon Manage Great Finishes On Mediocre Night

Geoffrey Miller is in Concord, N.C. for Sunday's Sprint Cup Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. He'll aim to eat as many elephant ears as possible while blogging away "Live from Lowe's" throughout Memorial Day weekend.

Jeff Gordon may have had a car capable of running in the Top-10, but he simply didn't have the track position.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had the car to beat until lap 296 when he blew a tire and slapped the wall -- while leading.

Somehow, though, the two Hendrick Motorsports teammates ended up fourth (Gordon) and fifth (Earnhardt Jr.) in the final standings of Sunday night's Coca-Cola 600.

Earnhardt Jr. truly had a car that was one of the top two or three in the entire field, and he likely had the best car as the race was set to begin its final 100 laps of the scheduled 400. Then, his right rear tire went flat as he prepared to lap Hendrick teammate Gordon while entering turn 3 on lap 296, and the No. 88 veered into the wall.

Luckily, Earnhardt had been using the high lane all evening so the impact wasn't as severe as it could have been. The team brought him to pit road many times under the subsequent caution, threw some new rubber on it, pulled out the fenders, and double-checked the suspension.

Junior rejoined the race around 20th, but the car just wasn't the same.

That's where his path aligned with that of Jeff Gordon's team and how to maximize their final finish.

Gordon struggled all night long to get track position -- as did everyone on the track. When he was the first car a lap down after a restart, Gordon fell to the third car in line and rode there for much of the run, but when the next caution came out, he was back on the lead lap but mired behind 30-40 lead lap and lapped cars.

When it became obvious late in the event that if Gordon stayed the course he'd end up 20th or worse, crew chief Steve Letarte gambled.

Letarte first tried for track position by taking gas only with over 70 laps to go, but with 62 laps left under another caution, Gordon came back in for tires and a full tank of fuel that was to last him for the rest of the race. Earnhardt Jr. followed a similar strategy.

The two then conserved fuel for much of the final run -- so much so that eventual winner Kasey Kahne nearly lapped them and then passed them again after making his stop late in the event.

When the checkered flag dropped though, Gordon scooted across the line in fourth and Earnhardt Jr. fifth.

Gordon's crew chief Letarte summed up the effort by both teams very well after the event over the No. 24 radio by saying "At the end of the year, they don't care how you get the points".

Indeed, a finish in the Top-5 for the two instead of running mid-pack is good in the standings, but also for the confidence of both teams and drivers heading into the summer season stretch.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

5-26-2008 @ 1:35AM

Peaches said...

Good Race For both Junior & Gordon, Glad to see they finished in the top ten. If that dam wall would stay out of JUNIORS way maybe he could win a race,and God please Move Tony JR to JMS shop to help his Dad to run the shop.Junior you need a new Crew Cheif Sweetie please listen to your fans.....

GO KYLE BUSCH YOU ARE GONNA WIN THAT CHAMPIONSHIP WITH THAT TOYOTA YET,thats words from Rush Limbug &
Art Bart cause remember NASCAR is FIXED...LMAO

5-26-2008 @ 3:51PM

don Emerson said...

Thanks peaches, it's nice to know that I'm not the only one who thinks Eury should go. If Jr's car was set up right he wouldn't have to run up against the wall all the time. Works for me....

5-26-2008 @ 4:16PM

Don nothing against Junior, but he just wants to keep his FAMILY employeed.Ok I can understand that but if you are getting that close to winning races in so many years as he has and can't close the deal,can't you see that EURY IS SCREWING YOU IN THE PITTS And Changing Parts on your car before races that are getting you no where.I used to be a Junior FAn until I got Sick of Eury.Now to say the least I am a die hard Kyke Busch FAN who has a good crew Cheif and Kyle is not scared to get out there and drive.Kyle will be a Champion one Day now Let's see what Eury can do for JUNIOR...

5-26-2008 @ 7:43PM

Brad said...

Can someone please explain How blowing a tire is Eury Jr's. fault, this is the same Eury Jr. that sets the car up for good qualifying runs, 3rd in the points so far and with a little STRATEGY had Jr. come in with 62 laps to go, top off, save fuel and come home 5th with a tore up car.

5-26-2008 @ 10:14PM

Mike said...

Well for once nobody can question that Tony Eury Jr made the right call. It just so happened to be the same call the 24 team made. I wonder if the two teams are working that closely together they share some pit strategy. Had it not been for the call this time, Little E would not have finished in the top ten.
The guy starts in 6th, finishes in 5th, and you people want to blame the crew chief? Sorry, but I am having a real hard time buying into it. I understand Jr's fans would like to see him win a race, but when are you going to run out of people to blame for it not happening?
3rd in points, and almost every race in the top ten. He is still only 30 points out of first in the chase. It is funny, last year all the UNfans of Jr got to kick him while he was down. Now this year, his own fans are kicking him for keeping his crew chief while he is 3rd in points.
There are roughly 48 other drivers that would change place with him right now. I am just happy he has finished the last few races behind the 24 car.
MBL

5-27-2008 @ 8:58AM

Kim said...

Although clearly the unpopular opinion, I must say I agree with Don & Peaches on this one. Tony Eury Jr. needs to go! He should not have come with Jr. in the first place. I stick to my original opinion when Jr. left DEI & moved to Hendrick....new team, new owner, new car, new teammates, and new CREW CHIEF! Look, it might be a tad on the personal side for me. I don't know Eury Jr. but he comes off like a Jerk, and sorry...but a lazy one at that. I find when they talk to the crew chiefs in the pits, he is the one with the least profound things to say, not to mention the one with the pissiest disposition. JMO of course.

Now no one is arguing the fact that Jr. isn't having a successful year thus far in comparisson to his last few at DEI. He is. He is 3rd. in points (although Mike, after Sunday, I believe 130 points away from first now:-). The issue is....it isn't his driving (in most cases) that is preventing him from a win, it's got to be the set up of the car. Don's right! Most the other drivers were able to run the top, the middle, and the bottom of the track successfully, but Jr. could only run consistently at the top of the track, dangerous territory, especially with a tire going down. That's a set up issue (not the tire, but the inability to run the car anywhere on the track).

And as far as still having a top five finish, like Gordon, they just got lucky! If Tony Stewart hadn't blown a tire, and Jimmie Johnson an engine, it would have been one of those two with the win and Kasey Kahne & Kyle Busch not too far behind. It was pit strategy that placed Gordon & Jr. in the top five, certainly not their cars. And I agree with Mike....I am willing to bet it was more Steve Letarte's call to keep the 24 out on the track and the 88 team followed suit. JMO again, of course.

Kim

5-27-2008 @ 9:46AM

Bernie said...

If you look at Jr's recent success in the standings this year alone (Exclude the history at DEI just for a moment) you really would have no reason to want Eury gone. If Dale Jr was out of the chase and had not won a race then yes, Eury should go but the fact that he's there and just inches from winning is most likely the reason Junior is standing by his cousins side.

If a win doesn't come and Jr. happens to win a championship Eury would have played a huge part in it and will be the hero of the season, (I'm willing to bet Jr has already thought that scenario through) a goat if a win doesn't come soon enough... I feel bad for Jr. Hope he gets his win.

5-27-2008 @ 10:08AM

Actually Kim it's more dangerous to be running on the bottom or the middle of the track when a tire goes ( it's further from the wall ). There is no SET-UP issue, it's well known that Jr. loves running a high line on most tracks there for the info he is feeding Eury Jr. so far this year has been good info because Eury sets the car up to Jr's liking and WELL.........3rd is 3rd whether it's 3-10-39-88-or a 188 points out of 1st.
Kim with the theory your using then in every race there are 42 drivers with the wrong set-up in there car. Sorry but maybe if Jr. dosen't blow a tire then He wins the race, and there is always LUCK involved..........HOW many times has JJ stayed on the track stretching his fuel mileage and wins a race......Damn just lucking I guess...probably didn't have anything to do with his ability and car set-up............NEW TEAM, NEW SPONSOR, NEW CAR, NEW TEAMATES.......NEW POSITION IN THE STANDINGS........IF IT AIN'T BROKE, YADA YADA YADA.

You people need to read the above ariticle again and try to figure out BASED on the article what kind of car JR. had, why it was beneficial to be running the high line when his tire blew ( Ask Tony S. or Brian Vickers), and I'm sorry but pit strategy and LUCK play a part week after week and when other drives win I don't seem to ever be reading Where there drive got LUCKY, or if there driver finished 5th they are callllling for their drivers Crew chiefs HEAD.

NOTHING BUT SOUR GRAPES HERE! ! ! !

Aloha, Brad

P.S. Question for the naaay-sayers here.....How many other drivers came in and topped off when Jr. and Gordon did with 62 laps ago ( a common practice when back in the pack ) and WOOOOOOOW did Letarte call all those crew chiefs too.......BS

5-27-2008 @ 10:43AM

Now Brad, who's beating who up with the stick now? It's okay, I still love ya! I always know when I post something related to Jr, you are going to come back at me with a very passionate response. :-)

You're right....luck plays a huge part in any win, no matter who the driver. Most of the cars pitted there the last few laps for fuel. I think there were only about four or five who didn't, if I recall correctly. And no, I don't believe Letarte made the call for the whole field (loved that you used my "yada, yada, yada" comment by the way:-). I do think though that Jr. & Jeff's team were in communication and agreed upon their strategy as do Jeff & Jimmie all the time.

You keep forgetting, I don't dislike Jr. and I wasn't even bashing him on this one! :-) I have never liked Eury Jr. though. Sorry, just can't warm up to him.

Kim

5-27-2008 @ 10:59AM

Kim, I new you would like that, but it's kinda of scary when I write something and then read other blogs and see you used yada yada yada before me an I didn't even know it. Kinda spooky but then HMS minds a ALMOST on the same page most of the time. In reality the luckiest driver at the 600 was Kasey, just look at how many other cars were better, 48,2,20,88 and even Kasey admitted it but sooner more than later the LUCK will again fall to HMS.

Love ya, Brad

5-27-2008 @ 11:04AM

Oh, and I know ya don't hate Jr. one more thing though if the drivers were in communication all the time or even most of it wouldn't you think that at a track like Talledega where drafting and drafting partners is so important there would have been better communication, if so. Why was JG bitchin about Jr. not going with him after the race?

5-27-2008 @ 11:06AM

drgrcr601 said...

Good post Brad and I agree. I am not a big fan of Tony Jr but until I see a overall picture at the end of the year, I am not in favor of canning him. It would be rather hard to explain why a crewchief was let go when the driver is running up front most of the time.
Brad we both have seat time in race cars and know the importance of luck. We don't like to admit it but it is the best thing you can have in your arsenal. Luck has a big advantage over good. I would rather be lucky than good any day.

Ron

5-27-2008 @ 11:25AM

Well said Ron, luck is one of a drivers best friends and his brother BAD is a pain in the ass.

Aloha, Brad

P.S. On my way to the golf course.......hope there is some luck invoved. LMAO

5-27-2008 @ 11:33AM

Don Emerson said...

Interesting comments, but has it occurred to you that Jr is having such a good year because of who he drives for, and not because Eury is a genius. Better equipment, information sharing, and luck, have put Jr where he is today. All the bullshit equipment theories aside, Truex won last year win DEI, but Jr didn't. Is Truex a better driver...I think not, but perhaps he had a better crew chief. Granted Eury knows the basics, but it's that final finishing touch that he lacks. He can't seem to make much improvement on the car during a race, and you have only to review the races to far this year to be reminded of his bad calls on pit row. Jr proved his loyalty with Brad, and it is an admirable trait, but it could prove top be Jr's greatest weakness in the case of Eury. Works for me.....

5-27-2008 @ 12:27PM

I don't think Tony Jr is doing it all right, nor do I think he is doing it all wrong. Hendrick said that Tony Jr has improved considerably since joining HMS. I'm willing to give him a chance to change my mind about him before I see him being shuffled off to the nearest Chevy dealer to do oil changes. JMO

Ron

5-27-2008 @ 1:24PM

Kim, you have to realize my referrence was that if the chase started today there would be only a 30 point difference in points from 1st to last amoung the 12 drivers. I learned my lesson last year the hard way. My fav drivers HUGE points lead meant nothing when the chase started and the current lead KB has also means nothing. I have not looked to see who has wins and who does not have wins in the top 12 but is easy to know that there are at least 2 with zero wins and at least one with three wins. So, no matter how anyone wants to go counting the current points, they mean crap when the chase starts. KB has 30 points, and JG has 0 along with DEJ. As far as I am concerened, I would like to see my guy JG win a couple races before the chase, but if he goes in only 30 down, a good run in the chase can take care of that. The problem with that is, KB has not let up at all this year. It is going to take an early DNF in one of the Chase races where he ends up in 42nd or 43rd to hurt his chances at the CUP. I don't like the guy but he is eating up the asphalt so far this year.
MBL

5-27-2008 @ 5:45PM

RacinJason said...

Nothing to add. Just tuned in to see who you guys thought was to blame for Junior not winning this one. I realize that it's always somebody else's fault...just wasn't sure who would get blasted this time since Hamlin and Busch clearly weren't at fault.

5-27-2008 @ 7:15PM

Cynthia said...

Kim,
As a Jimmie Johnson fan...I realize your a tad bit testy lately ( and I would be too) If my driver wasn't doing as well as he should be. (Imagine last year when Jr. was basically just testing engines for the RCR/DEI engine merger in his race car after he announced he was leaving DEI).

I also surmize that Jimmie's recent stint with Propecia and massive bear skin rug he's got growing on top of his head has you full of a little ANGST as well...(LOL-I crack myself up!) But that doesn't give you the right to bash my Race car driver's Crew Chief....when we all know Jr. wouldn't be 3rd in points without Eury Jr. I'm not understanding WHY people look for shit to stir up when it comes to Jr. or the Eury's. Sure fans have a love/hate relationship when it comes to Eury...but as a fan who listen's to scanner every week, I'd have to say these two are really working on making the right adjustments , at the right times...out on the race track. What would be satisfactory for you....or any fan who posts here? Is 3rd in points and 140 points out of 1st...46 out of 2nd that bad...what exactly is the problem? If he were sitting in 1st...there'd be a problem still. No matter what Dale Jr. does....it will always be scrutinized.

Better yet...Let's all just waite till the end of the season before we go tossing stones at Jr.? With 1 DNF and 5 top 5's, 9 top 10's , 1 pole, 1 2008 Budweiser shootout win and winner of 1 of 2 2008 Gatoraide duals....why rush to Judge? Let it play out on the race track...He's already doing BETTER than expected in his first year at HMS. A lot better than the regular (SMACK talkers) here that swore he'd be 20th in points by now...and still struggling.....

So with that being said....all the Haters can EAT CROW!!!

Works for me................

(Kimmy....I got nothing but love Fo' ya! I just had to razz ya about the propecia use....and as TGOM says, if there's that much talk about it in her mailbox...We can only wonder how much it's being talked about in the garages)

Bwa ha ha!!!!

ALOHA BRAD...

Mike your still my main man... :]

5-27-2008 @ 7:44PM

Hey Cynthia, miss ya love. I was thinking Jr has one DNF also but it is not scored that way on the stats sheet. What's up with that?
michael levan

5-27-2008 @ 8:30PM

Mike,
The stats on Nascar.com show him with 1 DNF. But they also show 12 starts...with 5 top 5's, 9 top 10's. That's 14 races. So are they counting the Shootout, the duals or the All star race?

Hey...whatever the case...Stats don't lie. Works for me! He may not have any wins....but the chase somewhat falls on consistancy....and that Dale Jr. already has....

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