It's not everyday that a crew chief makes a firm prediction on how many times he expects to visit victory lane before a season.For the most part, they'll stick to quotes and phrases like "we'll find victory lane" or "we look forward to contending for some wins".
That thinking doesn't apply to Tony Eury Jr., the transplanted crew chief of the transplanted Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt Jr. will pilot Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet for the first time in Sprint Cup competition in February at Daytona.
Eury Jr. had a pretty dismal year in 2007 with Dale Earnhardt Inc. as he first watched his team rocked by the news that NASCAR's superstar of superstars was departing the team for greener pastures. Then, down the stretch of the season, Earnhardt Jr. had multiple chances to bring home a victory until a mechanical problem or other incident ruined his chances.
That being said, Eury Jr. says, 2008 looks pretty promising:
"I'd be very disappointed if we don't win at least four, to be honest," he said. "I mean, I just look at the races that we had problems with last year, and we were running in the top three and in contention."Now four might be a stretch for most teams, but you can't count out the three pieces to the puzzle here: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Eury Jr., and Hendrick Motorsports. All of three of those have got to count for something.
But how does Eury Jr. expect to find victory lane with such a new team?
My take? I think it's entirely possible for Earnhardt Jr. to win at least 2 or 3 races. Four might be a stretch, but if Earnhardt Jr. gets off on a good foot with not-too-surprising Daytona 500 victory, anything's possible.
"We didn't win any last year, but it wasn't for lack of effort," said Eury Jr. "I mean there were several races where we were running in the top three, top four at the end of the race and something happen, motor blow up, we get in a accident, something. I don't think it's totally out of line. I think it's up to us what we do."
What say you?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-15-2008 @ 2:13PM
Holly McBain said...
I think it is possible.
In fact, I sincerely hope Dale Jr. wins the Daytona 500, 4 or 5 other races and the Sprint Cup Championship in 2008.
Sure it's a stretch, maybe even a miracle but still it would be so cool if it happened. Don't you know that DEI is just hoping he falls on his face. But, I do not believe Rick Hendrick would let that happen.
Say what you will, but he is at the best place for winning races and championships. Sure he could do that at RCR but he would still have his Father's shadow over him. Now he doesn't. It's there but not as a side by side comparison any more.
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1-15-2008 @ 6:45PM
Kim said...
Holly,
I agree with you. :-) Dale Jr. made the best possible decision he could have made going to Hendrick! Now he has the team, the equipment, a great owner, and his crew chief and friend to help along as well as all the negativity from last year behind him. I think Eury Jr.'s prediction is a good one. Although modest, I think four races or so would be a very good showing for Jr. in 2008! Good luck to him. If I know my Hendrick Motorsports team as well as I believe I do, I believe Dale Jr. is feeling quite at home, welcome, and wanted with his new team! :-)
Kim
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1-15-2008 @ 7:22PM
Mike said...
Eury Jr made similar comments in 2005 after he returned to the #8 team for the Chase (you know, after the Great Switch). It'd be great for NASCAR if he did, but 4 is a lot for any driver let alone one with a new team.
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1-15-2008 @ 8:10PM
KRYPTONITE said...
Good luck!!
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1-15-2008 @ 8:40PM
KRYPTONITE said...
If he doesn't win 4 races you have a built in excuse. He didn,t get the good cars like Gordon and Johnson, just like last year when Truex showed him up.He did'nt get the good cars cause they knew he was leaving.Junior may win a few races in his career but he will NEVER win a championship.Matt kennseth came in the same year JR did,stole his rookie of the year title and already has a championship.He has moved from 2nd best driver at his team to 3rd best at his new team.Thank goodness Kyle bush left or he would be 4th best at Hendricks.Daddy's name will only get him so far.
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1-15-2008 @ 9:34PM
drgrcr601 said...
Like you would know. Got a helluva lot farther than you ever will. Daddy or no Daddy.
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1-16-2008 @ 8:52AM
Mike said...
Ah let the fun begin. Four wins? I think Tony is being a bit agressive in his prediction there but hey, he should support his driver. His driver supported him by bringing him along. It certainly is possible as he has done it before but DAMN, paint a big X on your back for coming out and saying that one before the season has even begun. I would have waited until after you win the Daytona 500 before making that prediction.
I can see I am going to have to make sure I list my name or change the signature to avoid any confusion.
Michael Bishop LeVan
PS, Ron, I called Kimi the other day. You of all people HAVE to know I was having fun a few weeks ago. I was bored and having fun. Laughed my big butt off on that one.
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1-16-2008 @ 10:07AM
drgrcr601 said...
Mike, you seemed pretty adamant to me, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Next time you want to off like that maybe you should use an alias. :-)
Ron
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1-16-2008 @ 11:04AM
BOB EDWARDS said...
DALE,DON'T YOU THINK ITS TIME TO BE DALE AND DROP THE JR. WE ALL LOVED DALE SR.AND WILL NEVER FORGET HIM.
STARTING WITH THE NEW TEAM MAYBE ITS TIME TO CHANGE.
BOB
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1-16-2008 @ 12:29PM
Mike said...
I did write a couple things under an assumed name but it was no fun. Besides, the very regular people here would pick up on my raves and out me in no time if I kept it up for long. Good luck in the upcoming season to ya Ron.
mikey mike
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1-16-2008 @ 9:05PM
drgrcr601 said...
Thanks Mike, can use all the luck we can get but we can never seem to get enough.
Ron
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1-17-2008 @ 12:33PM
Brad said...
Mike,
You must have been really bored a few weeks ago but I'm sure glad you survived the "Iquisition". A few of those people sounded like they still live somewhere that allows burning people at the stake.
Krypton, your crystal ball predictions are a hoot, Wow "NEVER" win a championship! ! I'll be in disneyland all next week so I'll probably bump into you in FANTASYLAND. Jr. won 6 races in one year before so who knows.
Aloha, Brad
P.S. Kim, Ron, Mike nice to see ya back
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1-17-2008 @ 12:34PM
Brad said...
Inquistion, sorry
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1-17-2008 @ 1:12PM
deerslayer said...
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Not too loud. We do not want to wake them up again.
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1-18-2008 @ 9:25PM
SHAWN said...
DALE JRS GOING TO KICK A** IN 08
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2-03-2008 @ 1:01AM
cliffwizard said...
jr will get great cars over there, but really he needs to get a better paint job on those cars, and maybe a few more better racing suits. go jr #88
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