[PenelopePitStop]

... After Daytona 500.

I feel the need to resurrect and/or add a footnote to the original Thread created by kcoruol. The original Thread got a bit off topic, and at the time, I didn't think Jr. was so melancholy. Now, I'm not so sure.

After seeing Jr.'s post-race interview at Las Vegas, I'm scratching my head. He was so darn dejected with a 2nd-place finish. Remembering the glee in his face after winning the BSO, it was disheartening to see him so unhappy with a good finish, yet not a win, at Vegas.

Come on, Baby Dale! You can't win 'em all. You did good, kid! Lighten up! You're in the top-ten in points, aren't you? Sure, I know Dale is hungry for a win. Been almost two years. But come on!

What do the rest of you think? Don't go bashing Dale's talent. That's not what this is about. Love Dale, always will, but to be so unhappy with a 2nd-place finish, just doesn't sit well with me. Granted, I know everyone is out there to win, but finishing 2nd is nothing to scoff at.

[Phils20]

I was just thinking he has that Flu that has been going around. He sounded the same last week, just a bit hoarse!

Nothing a win won't cure, and it's on the way!

Maybe even this weekend. I was really pulling for him this weekend, but it just wasn't to be!

[simple simon]

i actually see this 2 ways PPS

ive never been to thrilled with Jr's level of talent ... been almost 2 years since he has won

but since you say the thread isnt about that lets move on

as for him being dejected .... i think its exactly how he should feel .... as you say everyone is out there to win ...... when you start to accept not winning, your career is on the way down

2nd, as they say, is just the 1st loser

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by simple simon

as for him being dejected .... i think its exactly how he should feel .... as you say everyone is out there to win ...... when you start to accept not winning, your career is on the way down

2nd, as they say, is just the 1st loser

gotta agree with simon. understandable that he was hoping to win, but if he thinks about it, he was lucky (there's that word again) to get 2nd. Gordo and Kenseth were flying by him .. he had nothing for either of them .. the best he could have hoped for in that scenario was 4th.

I think his dejection was from his spinning his tires (again) on the restart after they'd told him to watch it (and after he'd probably beat up himself a couple times too!) guess he just hasn't found the handle on the gas pedal of all that HMS power. (yeah, I know, it's a sorry pun .. but ya get what ya pay for)

[Bob Tanner]

I think Junior has put a ton of pressure upon himself. he has, at his option, put himself in a "Must Win" position.

As Simon stated, he went into the deal with Hendrick with a two year loss record. I think he knows full well that a huge number of people fully expected him to come out of the gain winning, and this hasn't happened. Because of the level of this expectation, second place is only the first loser in Dale's eyes.
He knows that if he doesn't win he probably won't be the first to be blamed. That will go to Tony Jr. for incompetence and to Rick for "not giving him the tools." Both are total BS (especially the second; I'm still "iffy" about Tony Jr.) I think Junior has enough honor in him to not want others to be blamed for his failings.
If he continues to not win, THEN the blame may shift to him and he knows the ride he has now is probably the best chance he will ever get in his career. If he blows this one the best he can hope for is comparison to Junior Johnson, a great driver who never pulled off a championship.

Dale Junior has a whole lot of weight on his shoulders. I wouldn't trade places with him for anything. My problems are minuscule compared to his, no matter how wealthy he is. Some things money just can't buy.

I'd probably be a bit melancholy too.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by simple simon

2nd, as they say, is just the 1st loser

True. But finishing 2nd all season just might win you the Cup.

That is not to say that Jr. or any driver shouldn't go for the win. I actually hate that ... when they don't race for the win.

Thanks for your comments.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I think Junior has put a ton of pressure upon himself. he has, at his option, put himself in a "Must Win" position.

As Simon stated, he went into the deal with Hendrick with a two year loss record. I think he knows full well that a huge number of people fully expected him to come out of the gain winning, and this hasn't happened. Because of the level of this expectation, second place is only the first loser in Dale's eyes.
He knows that if he doesn't win he probably won't be the first to be blamed. That will go to Tony Jr. for incompetence and to Rick for "not giving him the tools." Both are total BS (especially the second; I'm still "iffy" about Tony Jr.) I think Junior has enough honor in him to not want others to be blamed for his failings.
If he continues to not win, THEN the blame may shift to him and he knows the ride he has now is probably the best chance he will ever get in his career. If he blows this one the best he can hope for is comparison to Junior Johnson, a great driver who never pulled off a championship.

Dale Junior has a whole lot of weight on his shoulders. I wouldn't trade places with him for anything. My problems are minuscule compared to his, no matter how wealthy he is. Some things money just can't buy.

I'd probably be a bit melancholy too.

True. I think that Dale has a lot of self-imposed weight on his shoulders, and I don't think that has anything to do with his namesake or legacy.

As for "blame", I don't like that word. It's collective, don't you think? Driver? Team? Crew chief? Owner? All are one, as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks for your comments.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by simple simon

i actually see this 2 ways PPS

ive never been to thrilled with Jr's level of talent ... been almost 2 years since he has won

but since you say the thread isnt about that lets move on

as for him being dejected .... i think its exactly how he should feel .... as you say everyone is out there to win ...... when you start to accept not winning, your career is on the way down

2nd, as they say, is just the 1st loser

Now this I can see eye to eye with you.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Now this I can see eye to eye with you.

Elaborate?

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Now this I can see eye to eye with you.

agreeing with me ........ you must be drunk again .... or still

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by simple simon

agreeing with me ........ you must be drunk again .... or still

Nah... I'm sober.... It's only Monday.... Friday I'll be nice and toasty by 8

[3fanforever]

I think Junior's finally grown up and realizes what his dad meant about coming in second. I'm seeing a hunger in him to win that I haven't seen before. So anything short of 1st place is disappointing. What he has to do now, is learn how to balance that hunger and disappointment.

[WestCoast]

I didn't think Jr looked "dejected", more like he needed to go to the bathroom and the reporter got in his face and wouldn't go away.