[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

But his move to the dark side next year will tell the tale.

The "dark side" ... I love it! I think you've coined a new phrase.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by NASCAR Gnome

While Jr. was toiling away trying to live up to his father's accomplishments and memory, guys named Johnson, Stewart and Busch were hoisting the championship trophy when I'm sure, deep down, he knew he was just as good (if not better) than those guys!

Oh, boy! I agree with you for the most part. However, at the risk of getting annihilated, I don't think Jr. tried, or is trying, to live up to his father's accomplishments and memory. I think he's trying to make a name for himself. Perhaps that's his biggest struggle. And yes, I do think he knows he's as good or better than the recent Cup winners.

Originally Posted by NASCAR Gnome

Let's get this clear: Hendrick does NOT NEED someone like Dale Jr.! His stable is well-stocked with "gunslingers" enough to embarrass even the stoutest of teams out there but Mr. H knows a good thing when he sees it and for him to sign a mega star like Jr. means he surely sees something with this guy other than simple respect. He sees a winner and by bringing Jr. aboard is a ringing endorsement of his skills. Will we see Junior at his best? In my opinion, the BEST is yet to come!

Again, agreed, but with one caveat. "Mega star" ... hmmm ... most popular ... fan favorite ... hmmm ... Perhaps somewhere in the recesses of his mind, Hendrick may have thought that this addition to the team would be good for Hendrick. I don't think Hendrick is in this for Jr. Hendrick is in this for Hendrick. Heaven knows there are Gordon and Johnson haters out there, and bringing Jr. on board could only help Hendrick. If Jr. does well in 2008, I know that Hendrick will be thinking, maybe subconsciously, "See ... look what I did for Jr. Now he's a winner."

I hope you are right in that the BEST is yet to come! However, if a member of the Hendrick's team gets caught cheating again and it impacts Jr., I'm gonna be some kinda p*ssed!

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

The "dark side" ... I love it! I think you've coined a new phrase.

Congrats, 3FF! The Dark Side made it to the GTG NASCAR Forum Dictionary!

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

car numbers aren't a big deal to me .. 'course I think tatooing the number on your body or shaving your head in the form of a car number is.... (what's a synonym for "not cool"?)

Would stupid fit the bill ???

[Bob Tanner]

I believe everyone here knows I have no favourite. That say, my prediction is that Junior will win his first Cup this year.

I'll explain my rationale in my 08 Predictions thread in a week or so.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

... my prediction is that Junior will win his first Cup this year.

That would make me very happy. If not 2008, maybe 2009 ... but it'll come to him eventually, I'm sure.

[LSC9901]

OK people .. listen up. When Bob makes a call he's not far off the mark. Last year at this time he made his predictions and for a fair amount of them he was right on the money. Place your bets now.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

OK people .. listen up. When Bob makes a call he's not far off the mark. Last year at this time he made his predictions and for a fair amount of them he was right on the money. Place your bets now.

I cant place my bets.... I spent my money on beer

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I cant place my bets.... I spent my money on beer

Oh well ... that was a safe bet.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

OK people .. listen up. When Bob makes a call he's not far off the mark. Last year at this time he made his predictions and for a fair amount of them he was right on the money. Place your bets now.

Steve, one thing came up this morning which is giving me some pause.

Alan Gustafson, Kyle's former CC who will be on top the box for Casey Mears, Junior's garage-mate, this season, was interviewed on the Saturday morning SIRIUS radio show. Pat Patterson, an announcer I have some regard for, did the interview. Junior's name came up, of course. Pat asked Alan about Tony Eury Jr. I believe the question went something like, "Can you tell us anything you see in Tony Eury Jr. which will assure us that Junior is going to have a good year?"

Alan then took a couple minutes to tell how nice of a guy Tony is, how much fun he is to work with, how everyone likes him, and how enthusiastic he is. He then alluded to the fact that things are done a whole lot different at Hendrick than Tony was used to doing them at DEI and that he was working to pick things up. You'll notice absolutely nothing was said about how good a crew chief he thought Tony is.

I'll probably keep my prediction but if Junior's year is anything less than stellar I'd look at Eury before I'd blame Junior.

I hope Junior's bringing him to Hendrick with him isn't another example of why it is seldom a good idea to do business of any kind with relatives.

Time will tell...

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Steve, one thing came up this morning which is giving me some pause.

Alan Gustafson, Kyle's former CC who will be on top the box for Casey Mears, Junior's garage-mate, this season, was interviewed on the Saturday morning SIRIUS radio show. Pat Patterson, an announcer I have some regard for, did the interview. Junior's name came up, of course. Pat asked Alan about Tony Eury Jr. I believe the question went something like, "Can you tell us anything you see in Tony Eury Jr. which will assure us that Junior is going to have a good year?"

Alan then took a couple minutes to tell how nice of a guy Tony is, how much fun he is to work with, how everyone likes him, and how enthusiastic he is. He then alluded to the fact that things are done a whole lot different at Hendrick than Tony was used to doing them at DEI and that he was working to pick things up. You'll notice absolutely nothing was said about how good a crew chief he thought Tony is.

I'll probably keep my prediction but if Junior's year is anything less than stellar I'd look at Eury before I'd blame Junior.

I hope Junior's bringing him to Hendrick with him isn't another example of why it is seldom a good idea to do business of any kind with relatives.

Time will tell...

Honestly when Jr announced that he was bringing Tony along with him I thought it was a mistake. I think Jr would be better off starting with a clean slate. Why make personnel issues a part of your job when you have a large corporation, a winning one, who can do all of that.

Relatives ??? No thanks

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Honestly when Jr announced that he was bringing Tony along with him I thought it was a mistake. I think Jr would be better off starting with a clean slate. Why make personnel issues a part of your job when you have a large corporation, a winning one, who can do all of that.

Relatives ??? No thanks

I think Eury going with Jr. is a good thing..

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

I think Eury going with Jr. is a good thing..

In just a few months we'll see for sure !!

What percentage Vince ???

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

I think Eury going with Jr. is a good thing..

Well the combo was workin when the equipment wasn't headin south. Maybe it will pick back up with better equipment.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Well the combo was workin when the equipment wasn't headin south. Maybe it will pick back up with better equipment.

I certainly hope so just for the sake of the team but some of the small news bites just make me wonder if it is the best combination.