Dale Jr.'s Crew Chief Won't Be Leaving

Less than five races into the 2009 season, the talk regarding Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief Tony Eury Jr. has already reached the front burner.

And if we're lucky, the talk will subside sometime after the 2009 season ends -- barring two things: Earnhardt wins the championship or Eury Jr. finds a new role.

But Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway, Earnhardt Jr. made one thing crystal clear ahead of Sunday's Food City 500: crew chief Tony Eury Jr. isn't going anywhere.

Why, you may wonder, is Eury Jr. starting to feel a little heat so early in the season? Isn't it crazy to call for guy's head -- or significant improvement -- after roughly 11 percent of the 2009 has been completed?

Sure, but when your name is Dale Earnhardt Jr., not much about the analysis of a racing career is just and fair. And when the 2009 chapter of that racing career has been a complete letdown in the first four races, the heat gets turned up a notch or three.

First, there was Daytona, where Earnhardt Jr. caused the majority of the teams problems with several mental mistakes that took the No. 88 from an obvious contender to an also-ran pretender. In the process, he ticked off several drivers with a dramatic move along the backstretch that caused a multi-car pileup.

The following week, Earnhardt Jr. suffered an engine failure just laps apart from his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin. Such a problem wasn't a result of either Eury Jr. or Earnhardt Jr.'s doing, but the problem that also afflicted shop-sharing Martin didn't leave a good taste in the mouths of No. 88 fans.

Las Vegas' Shelby 427 was consistent, but consistently vanilla for Earnahrdt Jr. He never ran higher than 8th-place and finished 10th. And just two weekends ago at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Earnhardt Jr. had more of the same with a car that was no better than a 10th-place effort all day, and he wound up 11th.

Simply, the No. 88 hasn't been competitive for race wins and by the way the last handful of season-ending championships have turned out, that's not going to get Earnhardt Jr. anywhere near his first title.

Friday, though, Earnhardt Jr. acknowledged that his team hasn't run as well as hoped, but in the same breath also made it vehemently clear that Eury Jr. isn't going anywhere.

"I'm willing to accept the ups and downs and the goods and bads that come with it," said Earnhardt Jr. "We haven't run like we want to, like I think we should. It's alright for everyone to point that out. I have said it a hundred times, and it just doesn't seem to make a dent, but, the guy that I feel bad for is Tony, Jr. because he gets criticized so badly."

That criticism makes Earnhardt Jr. uncomfortable because he feels that the blame gets wrongly placed.

"I would rather be crucified than him," said Earnhardt Jr., "Because every time I read in the paper that people are on his case, I feel like I am sending my brother to jail for a crime I committed, you know what I mean. It is kind of tough sometimes, but I feel bad for him because he just wants to work and have fun. He just wants to race."

That desire to race is something that Earnhardt Jr. keeps close to his heart when discussing he and Eury Jr.'s relationship.

"It is a tough deal because we have a lot of sponsors and you have a lot of people, a lot of fans," said Earnhardt Jr. "You are in a big sport and each wants to go out there and make it happen. But at the same time, I like racing with my cousin. Whether we are the perfect combination or not, that doesn't mean anything to me. I just like racing with him. That is what I want to do, you know, for the rest of my life."

In other words, Earnhardt Jr. seems to be making a couple of points desperately clear. The first is that he understands that he needs to run better, and second, Tony Eury Jr. is not going anywhere that Earnhardt Jr. won't be.

Regardless of how you look at the situation, you've got to expect that loyalty. It's not too often that guys in big time sports say "Hey, if I'm going to win, I'm going to do it with family and guys I like being around" even if that means a small sacrifice in production.

Me? I think Earnhardt Jr. wouldn't be much as a driver without Eury Jr. on-board simply because of how well they can get after one another and make up later. Look at every sport -- if a team has chemistry, the rest of the package can come together. But when it doesn't (the recent New York Yankees, for example) talent alone doesn't take a team far.

It's a must that Earnhardt Jr. picks up the pace this season and becomes at least a legitmate factor late in the season for a championship, and I'll be highly surprised if he doesn't. In the meantime, though, fans hoping for a change in crew chief on the No. 88 pit box better start looking for a new excuse, for Tony Eury Jr. isn't going anywhere.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

3-20-2009 @ 11:45PM

CJ said...

If things dont start picking up, there will be a change whether Dale Jr likes it or not, and the decision holder is Hendrick. Hendrick only brought Tony Jr over because of Dale Jr and when Tony Jr cant get hired on his own, then he's expendiable and he will be. Hendrick knows this is a business and when Dale Jr isnt winning races and competiting for championships, then a change is coming. The only way Jr is going to silence the critics is to start winning races and be a threat for the championship, he can talk all he wants but if that doesnt start happening, Tony Jr will be gone!

3-23-2009 @ 11:31AM

ccolotexan said...

its not tony that needs to be gone,its little e. put Kyle in the same car and he would win.get rid of jr

3-21-2009 @ 5:06AM

Don Emerson said...

They both need to be replaced if you ask me. It's obvious by now that Jr is an immature, second rate driver who is not focused on his career. Title my butt, he'll be lucky if he wins a race this year. And Eury has shown time and time again that he lacks the expertise to manage a top flight ride. Bottom line is that they are just two rednecked cousins out to make some money and have some fun. Hell, they can do that at the local track without tying up a first rate ride. works for me.......

3-21-2009 @ 5:33AM

obamaizadope said...

if jr's last name weren't earnhardt, he couldn't get arrested..

3-21-2009 @ 1:40PM

nzcr14 said...

EMERSOM, if junior and tony E. had to run at the
local tracks instead of NAZCAR once, that implyes
them to run in a lover category of racing.
If they retrieve to a lower racing categorey junior and tony will be making much less money and
than obviously won't be in for the buck anymore.
Sounds like ya contraddicted your statement.
works for me... AS.

3-21-2009 @ 8:26AM

Kim said...

At the expense of ticking off all the Jr. fans, which I have done every year, I must agree with CJ and Don.

I will agree with Geoffrey, too. Yes, you have to respect the loyalty that Jr. & Eury Jr. have toward one another. But let's face it, they are family after all so shouldn't they be loyal? I mean if your family isn't loyal to you, who will be?

That being said though, Earnhardt has proven time and time again that he just doesn't have the talent a lot of the newer drivers have. Many criticized Gordon saying his best years were behind him, and that may be true, but Earnhardt's certainly are. He has been racing in the series for at least ten years, barely won any races and has come nowhere close to being a contender for the championship. He was more consistent at this point last year in the chase and points standings than he is this year. It's not looking good no matter how far into the season we are yet.

Eury Jr. may be a decent crew cheif, but it is in my humble opinion that he allows Earnhardt too much say and Earnhardt just doesn't seem to know enough about his cars to report problems back in an accurate way to Tony (this is my opinion after listening to their crew communications during races). Tony can't fix what he doesn't understand. If Tony Eury Jr. wants to be a better Crew Chief, then he needs to take charge. Earnhardt needs to learn a little more understanding about his car so that Eury can do a better job.

To me, it just seems like two guys who are close friends and family, just like to get out there and have fun. That's okay, but it doesn't win championships nor does it win you races.

Kim

3-21-2009 @ 2:23PM

illsell4u said...

Actuallly Kim, I think Jr finished second one year. The Jr fans can confirm that one I am sure.

Considering that last year Jr started out in the top 5 and stayed there until the chase, I see no reason for the Jr fans to have much hope yet this year. I am not saying all is lost after only 4 races but the thought that he will pull it together IF he makes the chase is only wishful thinking. As I have pointed out on many occassions the last two years at least Jr fell 3 positions in the last ten races. Not a good way to do it in the chase format.

There is obviously a problem that Jr needs some outside guidence with if he really wants to be back to where he was when he was winning 3 races and once won 6 races in one year. He needs someone that is not affraid to step on some toes and be brutaly honest with him to tell him what is missing. As his father did have many friends like DW that actually know what it takes to be a winner, perhaps someone like that would be willing to look at what is wrong and tell him.

Jr's fans are fervent that he is a great driver. His record proves otherwise. What is the reason he does not have more wins? Is it because if he had decent equipment he would be a winner? Oops, nope, already proven not to be the case. Is it because his cousins sucks as a crew chief? Unless he gets replaced this one is hard to prove. Is it because he lacks any focus and is a party animal? This one may actually be easier to establish if the people riding his coat tails are willing to out him on exactly how much the guy parties.

Ron made an interesting statement on how Jr may be physically whipped at the end of long races. Using the observation that he often loses spots on restarts late in the race. Perhaps "putting on a show for the fans" as is often said of him leading a few laps in the middle of a race wears him out physically and he is spent at the end. Pro atheletes in other sports watch hours of tape of their own games to see what they are doing right and what they are doing wrong. Perhaps that is the type of work that needs to be done. Review the tapes early in the race on restarts and compare it to later in the race. Is Jr getting up on the wheel and getting through the gears as quickly? If not, then why not?

Jr, be honest with yourself and your team. Are you whipped at the end of a race? Perhaps knocking off any alcohol for at least 72 hours prior to a race and a little excersise program will help. Carl Edwards is a stud and his workout program shows. The guy gets out of his car and does a backflip in front of millions of people immediately after winning a race when some drivers can barely crawl out of the car.

Then again, just maybe, Jr had his time in the sun and his winning days are basically done. He will win a few more but that may be it. If I had to bet will Jr ever win another 18 races in his entire career I would bet against it. I guess time will tell.

MBL

3-21-2009 @ 3:01PM

robert said...

I bet all the dale jr fans who blamed every bad race on tony eury didnt like hearing that! This is just another example that proves dale jr just doesnt get it!

3-21-2009 @ 8:10PM

6BURGH said...

Hey all you JR doubters heres how I can prove JR can win races and most of the blame is on eury jr, he was winning when eury sr. was his crew chief and as soon as eury jr. came aboard he cant win, his car is good until the last 100 laps of a race and goes to shit. In my opinion thats the crew chiefs fault and not the drivers.I will say that JR should have let Hendrick build him a team. He needs to get rid of that awful crew chief cousin of his,get a real crew chief and perhaps Hendrick should have Chad Kanaus share some secrets with the rest of the Hendrick drivers.Jimmie Johnson has won enough its time to spread the wealth.

3-21-2009 @ 9:37PM

6burgh, in the last 150 races dale jr has won 3 times! Thats only 1 win every 50 races. Thats not how you win championships in nascar.That being said, how about them steelers! Stairway To 7 this year!!!!!

3-21-2009 @ 9:42PM

You are joking right? Share the wealth? Sounds a little to liberal for me. Where have you ever heard that the best team of any sort should share their head coach with other teams?
I am a little tired of the argument that because he is Dale Earnhardt Jr people should line up to kiss his ass and just give him everything. I have never ONCE heard Jr ever say he should be given anything he does not go out and earn. Why do some of his fans think this crap?
While I am no Jr fan I do know that he wants to win on his own, with a team he wants and supports. If Jr were to ever imply he should be given an advantage because he is Dale Earnhardt Jr I am quite sure the intelligent fans he has would drop him like a hot potato.
Two years ago I am sure you are one of the people that cried "if Jr had decent equipment he would win championships". have you ever heard a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush? Why would Hendrick take away from a proven THREE in a row Champion to give to an unproven driver? While I am willing to listen to the argument that Jr won under another crew chief and has struggled since, there is also the well made argument that he is not focued on racing. He is focused on capitalizing on his name and popularity while it lasts.
In case you missed it, last year it was reported that Chad Knaus was helping Jr's team to an extent at the beginning of the season. Sooner or later it stops being a helping hand and starts being a hand out. Getting his team up and running last year was handled well by Hendrick. The fact that Jr went from 13th place going into the chase the year before to 4th, I think, shows that. Maybe all the other drivers should just pull over and let Jr win because after all, he is Dale Earnhardt Jr.
MBL

3-21-2009 @ 9:57PM

Denny said...

I am so tired of reading about Jr this and Jr that!! It's enough to make a long time (over 45 years) NASCAR fan puke. When can we just focus on some of the drivers that actually have some talent and not just the last name of one of the biggest #%&*holes to ever race in NASCAR.

3-21-2009 @ 10:15PM

All i know is that illsell4u just said what everybody who is NOT a dale jr fan see's! Rusty Wallace has a son in nascar, but that doesnt mean that stevie is going to win a bunch of races at bristol or win on road courses like daddy did! Face it jr lovers, in nascar you win championships because you win races or you know how to 'race for points' and dale jr doesnt know how to do either! He only knows that he has his daddys name.

3-21-2009 @ 10:30PM

Brad said...

That's 7 time nascar champ and big #%&*hole to you dumb%@#$. And maybe all the people that suffer from severe Jr. envy should just put away their crystal balls and let the year play out and let the cards fall where they may because if we're going handle what's going on in nascar with this vigilanty thinking then other than Edwards, JJ and Kyle all the other drivers should just quit, fire their crew chiefs and let someone else drive. INNIBENNIECHILIBENNY LET ALL THE O-B-JUAN-NOBODYS SPEAK SSSSHHHHEEEEEESH ! ! ! 4 races in and the sky is falling already.....WTF ! ! !

3-21-2009 @ 10:50PM

1st, my favorite drivers are Happy Harvick, Tony Stewart and yes I do like Jr. but I'm just wondering how this no talent, can't race for points or championships won the Busch title in his first two full seasons, no I don't believe he's the greatest but you don't win in Nascar unless you have some talent and Jr. with his 17 or 18 wins does have talent. Will he win a title? probably not but with the line of reasoning ( or lack of ) and thinking on this blog then there are only about 5 to 10 drivers with enough talent to ever race again and that REEEAAAALLLLY makes alot of sense.

3-22-2009 @ 12:00AM

auagsmith said...

Man, someone just writes an article about Jr's (Earnhardt) and Jr's (Eury) misfortunes in the first 4 races of the season and all the Junior haters pile on. Sounds like jealousy to me...

3-22-2009 @ 6:04AM

face it, without that 2 car in busch, he's michael waltrip without the personality..

3-22-2009 @ 8:27AM

Ah, Brad!! Good to see some things never change. I know how fired up about Jr. you get. As always, my intention is not to tear the man down personally, just his driving and abilities. You know I've said many times....the guy's a nice guy and I truly believe that. I just must agree with the argument that he doesn't seem to be 100% committed to racing as others like, JJ, Gordon, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, Kenseth, Edwards, Harvick, Hamlin (I really could go on and on), are. Every week these guys seem to give 110%.

I am no Kenseth fan, but his win from behind was amazing. The guy started the race dead last and won on driving ability and an excellent pit crew. That was amazing and to me, that is talent! Jr. seems to start a race in a position, may gain some here or there, but in the end, finishes where he started or even behind where he started the race. That just isn't going to get him anywhere in the winner's column.

And yes, he did win a Busch Series Title, but how long ago was that and it isn't Sprint Cup? I just think he isn't committed to what he is doing and I think a lot of that has to do with the numerous other committments laid upon him. The guy is a marketing gold mine!

Anyway, Happy Harvick seems to be off to a better season this year! I have always liked Kevin and think it is so cool how devoted his wife is. She is at every race, in the pits or pit box, and in matching jump suits at that. Sometimes though, I wish Harvick drove for someone other than Childress. I think Harvick is another driver that definitely has the talent, but could use better equipment! :-)

Kim

3-22-2009 @ 8:57AM

Hey Robert, in the last 150 races hes had eury jr. by his side, he hasnt had eury sr. since 2004 which would make him with eury jr. for 180 races.And glad to see another steelers fan!! Illsell4u yes all the hendrick teams share secrets not just with jr.In case you missed it none of the Hendrick drivers are winning consistenly.And Ill guarantee Knaus didnt tell any secrets he was just helping them get settled in to the new organization.All the hendrick teams could run good if they would just help each other more.

3-25-2009 @ 3:48PM

BSpauld said...

I feel Jr is a good race car driver but he seems to lose places during pit stops,sometimes he loses 2 places every time,Thats not Dale Jrs fault,I feel Jr Eury wants to argue with Dale way to much