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Does Dale Jr.'s move make sense?
It's still going to come down team chemistry. I assume that current No. 5 crew chief Alan Gustafson will stay in that position, and it's going to be up to those two guys to make it work.
As Earnhardt Jr. said when he announced he was leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season, making the move would be the last decision that he would make in his driving career. He's at the age Dale Earnhardt Sr. was when he made a really major decision about his future, joining Richard Childress Racing. Dale Jr. feels like he's in that same position now.
Father would approve
It doesn't matter whether Hendrick Motorsports is driving the Car of Tomorrow or the current car, all four teams have their act together. Earnhardt can go to sleep saying to himself, "This is where I need to be to step it up. If I can't get it done here, it just wasn't meant to be."If Dale Earnhardt Sr. were here, I think his dad would say, "(Going to Hendrick) is what you'd better do because it's your best shot to win multiple races and a championship. You'd better get over there and make it happen."
What's next for Kyle Busch?
Where's Kyle Busch going to go? Every race team wouldn't mind having him. I've got to believe his phone is ringing off the hook. If I had a Nextel Cup team, I'd be ringing his phone right now. When you consider that he's only 22, he could be the most talented driver in the garage area. Does he need someone standing behind him and pulling the reins on him? Absolutely. Busch is an awesome race car driver. He's got to learn to control his emotions and throttle back a little bit. In time, he'll only get better at controlling himself and his aggressive driving.Can Jr. and Gordon fans be friends?
Blaine from Olney, Md.: I am not a Dale Jr. fan though I find that he appears to be personable, sincere and seems like a good guy. However, a move to Hendrick would be odd. Drivers aside aren't Jr fans and Gordon fans mortal enemies. How is this going to sit withthe current 8 fans. And does that figure into his decision?Larry McReynolds: I firmly believe that Dale Earnhardt Jr. could drive for anybody on the circuit. As much as it appears that people are not big fans of Kurt Busch, if Kurt fielded a Nextel Cup car and Earnhardt drove it, Dale Jr. would still be just as popular as he is. "Junior Nation" will always be there and continue to grow, no matter his owner, type of car, number or sponsor. Whether he's making a pass for the lead, 10th or 30th, his fans just about rip down the grandstands. It's just his following and level of popularity that he has attained.
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OK with or without Eury
Cheryl from Kansas City, Kan.: How do you think Dale Earnhardt Jr. is doing without crew chief Tony Eury Jr., and how do you think he will do with a totally new team next year? I'm a little worried that he does not seem to communicate well with other crew chiefs.Larry McReynolds: I've been pretty impressed. We're only three races into it with three to go, but interim crew chief Tony Gibson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. — with help from his spotter, Dale Earnhardt Inc. technical director Steve Hmiel and a host of others — they've actually rallied together nicely. I firmly believe that Dale Jr. is going to put pressure on himself, whether Tony Eury Jr., Alan Gustafson or someone else is his crew chief. He's got to make this work, and I believe he will.
FOX race analyst Larry McReynolds has more than 25 years of NASCAR experience as a mechanic, crew chief and broadcaster. He and his fellow Crew Chief Club members take you behind the wall at www.crewchiefclub.com.
"How to Become a Winning Crew Chief" is on bookstore shelves, or you may order your own autographed copy from www.DWStore.com.
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