Eury Jr. Out as Earnhardt's Crew Chief

After months of speculation this would or should happen, team owner Rick Hendrick made the move Thursday to replace Tony Eury Jr. as crew chief on the No. 88 Chevrolet driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., effective immediately.

While the other three drivers in the championship Hendrick Motorsports stable have won races this year, Earnhardt has struggled mightily -- including a season-worst 40th-place effort Monday at Charlotte, placing Earnhardt 19th in the points standings.

The cousins have been together throughout Earnhardt's driving career, however, the partnership has resulted in just one win during the two-year tenure they've had at Hendrick, a team that's won the past three championships with driver Jimmie Johnson.

Team manager Brian Whitesell will be Earnhardt's crew chief Sunday at Dover, then Lance McGrew will take over on an interim basis.

"Our performance hasn't been where it should be,'' Hendrick told the Associated Press. "It's impossible to pin that on any one factor, but a change is the right decision at this point.''

According to reports out of Charlotte, Hendrick informed the cousins of his plan to change up the pairing after they returned from a test session in Virginia on Wednesday.

"I have mixed feelings and that's just natural,'' said Eury, who will remain with the team in some capacity. "But I enjoy working at Hendrick Motorsports and this is where I want to be. I'll do whatever I can to help all of our teams and try to be a part of another championship. I think a new challenge will be good.''

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Photos

CONCORD, NC - MAY 25: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet, stands next to his car during a red flag due to rain in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2009 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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CONCORD, NC - MAY 25: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet, pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2009 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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CONCORD, NC - MAY 24: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet, waves to the crowd during driver introductions prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 24, 2009 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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CONCORD, NC - MAY 23: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (C) speaks with race winner Mike Bliss, driver of the #1 Miccosukee Indian Gaming & Resorts Chevrolet during a red flag that ended the NASCAR Nationwide Series CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 early due to rain, on May 23, 2009 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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CONCORD, NC - MAY 23: Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits in the #88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet, in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 23, 2009 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images)

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CONCORD, NC - MAY 23: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet, stands in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 23, 2009 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images)

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Earnhardt's lone points-paying win last year came at Michigan, although he excited the NASCAR nation by winning his first race out with Hendrick, the 2008 season-opening exhibition Budweiser Shootout.

This year, Earnhardt's lone top-five finish was a runner-up showing at Talladega Superspeedway in April. He has just three top-10s, and fell back a position in the championship this week. He trails 12th place Mark Martin, his 50-year old Hendrick teammate by 203 points. Only the top-12 drivers qualify for the Chase for the Championship, NASCAR's version of playoffs.

Hendrick driver Jeff Gordon currently leads the championship standings. Teammate Johnson is fourth, while Martin, in 12th place, is coming off a win this month and enjoying a career resurgence with the Hendrick organization.

"Tony and I talked through this Wednesday night,'' Hendrick said. "I want him here, he wants to be here, and he's going to be a big contributor to our future success.''

McGrew has worked with Earnhardt in the Nationwide Series and has won as a crew chief at the Sprint Cup level.

Earnhardt has not commented on the situation yet.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

5-28-2009 @ 2:38PM

mnlmiller1 said...

FINALLY,Tony Jr Sucks he is a True Hillbilly!!
now Dale can win some races!!!!

5-28-2009 @ 2:51PM

Chuck said...

I think this is a good move..now we will see if Jr can make a come back...sometimes in life we have to make changes too see if it will help..I think this will ..ok Jr it's your turn to get -r-done..I know you can ....Go for it..a true fan !!!

5-28-2009 @ 3:13PM

Brad said...

Well it was just a matter of time. But after listening to other drivers and pit and nascar personal over the last few years talk about Eury Jr. and how hard he works and his talent I'm sure he won't have a problem finding a job. My problem with this is that most Jr. fans are going to lay all the blame on Eury when they need to take a long look in the mirror and realize Eury wasn't driving the damn car. Now I'm not going to say a crew chief change won't help hell look what it did for Kyle but there again the crew chief is only part of the equation. Jr. needs to step it up himself. He's not a bad driver or great one, but you don't collect 17-18 wins or a couple of nationwide titles by just being mediocre either. All the fans out there that bash and hate on Jr. and Eury do so (JMO) because of what the Jr. fans have to say when showing their support and a lot of those Jr. fans need to just shut the hell up because a lot of what they are saying just adds fuel to the hate fire and makes no sense anyway. There's a reason he is the most popular driver and has the largest fan base even if a lot of those fans are misguided with there comments at best. This should be interesting and I'm not sure which will be more interesting, the future results of the crew change or the plethora of just plain dumb comments that will follow this news from all the fans, haters and non-bashers. LMAO.

5-28-2009 @ 5:38PM

Welcome Dawn said...

I have an idea where Tony can provide a really good service, he can maintain the Hendrick's mowing equipment.
This team sucks from top to bottom. Fielding a car that gets worse not better during a race and a driver making rookie mistakes that should never be made. This is a start and if JR can't produce within a short time then Hendrick needs to look at him also.

5-28-2009 @ 6:10PM

artjendunckel said...

Maybe , tony need to retired Dale is a good driver. he need a break, Just like Jeff did.

5-28-2009 @ 6:12PM

Like I said......a plethora of just plain dumb comments! ! !

5-28-2009 @ 6:30PM

gregsachiko said...

Well....only time will tell who and what the REAL ROOT CAUSE that was hurting the team.

We will have to sit back and keep our mouths SHUT and just WATCH.

If the team does not get any better.... Then the finger may just be pointed at the driver.

Greg

5-28-2009 @ 7:19PM

dongo4345 said...

i think jr and his cousin just got stale together.sometimes change is a good thing. but is not all tony jrs fault,look how many times jr missed his pit stall,only one person to blame there. i think jr can still drive with the right crew chief and not his cousin whos more like his brother.

5-28-2009 @ 7:47PM

illsell4u said...

Personally I think it will be the next two or three weeks of comments by the fans and the media that will be most amusing if not interesting. Once again the media is going to hound Jr with the same old question, When are you going to start winning again? That was part of my point in the other blog, the unreasonable pressure. But Jr has to want to win for himself, not for the fans. Wanting to win for the fans only burries himself in more pressure. He needs to have the fire within to win for personal gain.
Just like the change in teams last year inspired him maybe the new crew chief will inspire him again. I disagree with Don that it is too late for this year. It is exactly the right time if not to make a comback but to build and be ready for next year IFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF Jr really has the desire. My crystal ball is a little fuzzy on which way it will go. Maybe I need some Windex.

5-28-2009 @ 8:37PM

Windex....LMAOROF.....that was good Mike.

5-28-2009 @ 9:12PM

jbocox said...

This is twice now that the overrated JR has used his cousin as an excuse for his pathetic racing ability. maybe it's time to hang it up JR.

5-28-2009 @ 9:37PM

CJ said...

All i have to say if FINALLY! Dale Jr has the talent to win races, when has Tony Jr EVER shown he can succeed without Dale Jr? Dale Jr had all his success with Tony Sr on the pit box, not with Tony Jr. People can take up for Tony Jr all they want, but in the end i knew a change was coming and i got sick of hearing all these Nascar analyst saying that Tony Jr would be there as long as Dale Jr wanted him, and it looks like it isnt happening, thank god!

5-29-2009 @ 6:59AM

jhshillc said...

What is the next move, replace the driver?. Hope that is not out of consideration. Jr. is not that good, just because of the name doesnt mean he is a good driver. I dont hear anyone asking when is Kerry Earnhart going to get a cup ride.

5-29-2009 @ 7:23AM

Ggnpritchie@aol.com said...

bring back ray everham for his grew chief

5-29-2009 @ 7:47AM

Two weeks ago I was looking for you CJ and asked who you thought was going to be the replacement. People in the know were whispering that this was going to happen after the Charlotte race should Jr not finish well. And low and behold, Jr finishes 40th. Almost as if it were planned Jr has his worst finish in two years.
Any ways, since you are such a Jr fan and you appear to put alot of thought into the inner workings I wanted your thoughts on who is going to be the replacement.
mbl

5-29-2009 @ 10:54AM

Jim said...

So I suppose Tony jr. is overshooting his pit box every week and crying in the radio " I don't know what's wrong, Just fix it" and has 1/10th the dedication and drive his daddy had. What happens if this fails? Do we fire Rick Hendricks next?? Get over it people. Dale jr. has been and always will be overated. Know doubt with some of his stupid driving moods and pit row problems, he is delivered to the track every week in the short bus. And while were at it. DW, Dale is NOT your son. Quit protecting him and covering for his ass like you do. Anyone who watched FOX's mid season grade on pre race last week knows what I am talking about. Who you going to blame now when you fail Junior? Chevrolet? Goodyear? Look in the mirror!!

5-29-2009 @ 10:57AM

5-29-2009 @ 11:00AM

Like I said a plethora,,,,,,and this coming from a guy who just 'OVERSHOT' his blog box. LOL

5-29-2009 @ 12:44PM

wckline said...

The next headline "Dale Jr released by Hendrick Motorsports" to join Richard Childress Racing. More than ever NASCAR needs a boost, look for the black car to return. And Kyle Bush shut your freakn mouth you punk.

5-29-2009 @ 9:47PM

tiepinagin said...

i personally would love to see DaleJr in the black #3 - that might give him back what he's been missing - the dad who was too tough and finally rid him of that sorry Teresa who took away his dad even more by treating him so bad & taking anything his family could have earned with DEI. i'm sure he would love to drive that black #3 !! more power to DaleJr and i know he will win more than ONE (1) championship given the right incentive to get back with the program !! if his dad were still here, DaleJr would have already won a championship !! am loving it :) GOOD LUCK DALEJR !! xoxo

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