[vincesanity82]

Jeff Gordon appears to be legitimately in a slump. Gordon was a zero at Texas, in one of the worst performances of his career, and he was never in the game at Phoenix. He finished 13th, a lap down. For the year Gordon's average finish is a painful 18.9, though he's led 183 laps. Maybe Gordon can bounce back at Talladega, where he's won six times. He swept both Talladega races last year. -- Winston-Salem Journal



Winston-Salem Journal | Several drivers facing difficulties

[3fanforever]

Sunday night, I saw an interview with Gordon where they were talking about his problems. He said maybe he needs to adopt Cousin Carl's way of racing...just "shut up and drive." Well, that may help, but I think it's more than that. When Jimmy Johnson was having problems, he spent his week off testing, while Jeff Gordon was in the Bahamas drinking Pina Coladas. Looks like the extra effort sure worked for Johnson, didn't it? The #48 appears to be back on track, and by Jimmy's own words, it's because of the extra testing they did. If Jeff doesn't get his head back in the game, and quit being preoccupied with the "Vogue" lifestyle, I'm afraid his slump will continue. But then, Raygan Swan over there at NASCAR.com wouldn't have anything to write about, would she?

[NASCAR Gnome]

A slump bad enough to have him one spot out of the top-12 after 8 races?!?

Don't fool yourselves people. Gordon is anything but out of it! He's the only driver with three DNFs in 8 races and STILL, he's in 13th place in the standings!

It's like all those Dale Junior fans who are calling for Tony Eury's head because Junior has not won a race but somehow overlook the fact that he's in third in driver standings, people who don't see Gordon on the podium think he's in a slump! No way, no how...

[Racer Duck]

Gordo will only be "officially" in a slump if he finishes outside the Chase. We ain't there yet, and anyone who cares to look beyond the tip of their nose would be able to see that.

Kasey Kahne was in a slump last year. Gordo is no where near that bad, yet.

[3fanforever]

I don't think it's nearsighted to say Gordon is starting this year out slumping. This time last year he was 1st in points with an average finish of 4.5. Right now he's 13th in points with an average finish of 18.875. For Jeff Gordon, that's a slump. Why? Because he's an incredibly good race car driver, one of the best of his era. He should be doing better than he is, even this early in the season, and he knows it. He's even said he needs to get things going, which I have no doubt he can and he will.

[Fireball]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

I don't think it's nearsighted to say Gordon is starting this year out slumping. This time last year he was 1st in points with an average finish of 4.5. Right now he's 13th in points with an average finish of 18.875. For Jeff Gordon, that's a slump. Why? Because he's an incredibly good race car driver, one of the best of his era. He should be doing better than he is, even this early in the season, and he knows it. He's even said he needs to get things going, which I have no doubt he can and he will.

Forever, you sound like you're addressing the star athlete on some sports team that can do all these things all by himself. This stock car driving is not like football or baseball where all the players have the same equipment and shoes. This is different.

What Jeff Gordon was referring to when he said "he needs to get things going" is the entire 24 garage needs to come forth with solutions. The 24 team has about 5 cars ready at all times and 5 new cars in some stage of development. Practice and race results are feed back to the development people on a continual basis who make physical changes to the chassis, engine and suspension. They have a break in their communication that has "buggered up" Jeff's ride.

All these comments about him taking a week or two on the beaches while Jimmie and Dale Jr. tested may have merit. Test time reaps rewards if they hit on the right combination. They just haven't done that yet. You are so correct when you say "Jeff Gordon is an incredibly good race car driver". He'll make the chase and may be one of the leaders close to the end of the season.

[bob101]

Not only that I saw his hauler was broken down west of Fort Worth Sunday on I-20 lol.

Saw nearly all the haulers while heading west on 10 out to New Mexico and they were coming back from Phoenix.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by NASCAR Gnome

A slump bad enough to have him one spot out of the top-12 after 8 races?!?

Don't fool yourselves people. Gordon is anything but out of it! He's the only driver with three DNFs in 8 races and STILL, he's in 13th place in the standings!

It's like all those Dale Junior fans who are calling for Tony Eury's head because Junior has not won a race but somehow overlook the fact that he's in third in driver standings, people who don't see Gordon on the podium think he's in a slump! No way, no how...

Now, now, Gnome. Don't go pigeon-holing us Jr. fans. I, for one, am not calling for anyone's head at this point. Jr. has done quite well for himself so far this season, as you pointed out. I just wish Jr. would see it that way.

As for Gordon, I actually agree. Don't count the guy out. Did I just say that? The Hendrick team has set the bar for themselves, and that bar it quite high. It's not easy to meet that bar year after year. I could be wrong, but I vaguely remember Gordon having a few remarkable years, then a few not so remarkable years, then right back again.

Everyone knows I'm not a Gordon fan, but I don't care what he does during his down time. He's not going to lose his ability to drive.

Slump? So what? How many years did Sr. go between winning a race toward the end of his career? It's been what ... almost two years since Jr. has won? There are 40+ other drivers out there. Look at Burton. He's tearing it up this season. Nobody says that Burton is out of a slump.

Bottom line is that this sport has become extremely competitive. I wouldn't go so far as to say anyone outside of the top 12 is in a "slump".

If the top 12 drivers were the same every year, my interest in Cup would surely fade.

[SpaceCadet]

One of the last things my dad and I talked about before he passed away in February was, of all things, Rick Hendrick and HMS. Dad was a huge racing fan, a former driver as well. He predicted that JG would have a lousy start, and if Hendrick suddenly grew a pair he'd do a little CC switching, just to see what happens. You can always switch back. Switch Letarte and Knaus, get rid of Eury all together. Gordon will come back with a vengance, JJ will falter a little and it will become more evident that Letarte gets an A for effort but can't keep up. Find CC for Jr. and he'll have a win within three races of the change. Leave Mears alone because he'll be ok with Gustofsen. (sp?) Another point he made is one I think I read on here somewhere. It's not all up to the CC to put the car together. But where is he in the chain of command? As Dad put it, "in my day there were lot's of guys workin' on the car, but who did I piss and moan at if the thing was junk? That'd be my CC." I think it would be mighty interesting to shake things up a little, but like Dad, I'm thinking it's not going to happen.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

One of the last things my dad and I talked about before he passed away in February was, of all things, Rick Hendrick and HMS. Dad was a huge racing fan, a former driver as well. He predicted that JG would have a lousy start, and if Hendrick suddenly grew a pair he'd do a little CC switching, just to see what happens. You can always switch back. Switch Letarte and Knaus, get rid of Eury all together. Gordon will come back with a vengance, JJ will falter a little and it will become more evident that Letarte gets an A for effort but can't keep up. Find CC for Jr. and he'll have a win within three races of the change. Leave Mears alone because he'll be ok with Gustofsen. (sp?) Another point he made is one I think I read on here somewhere. It's not all up to the CC to put the car together. But where is he in the chain of command? As Dad put it, "in my day there were lot's of guys workin' on the car, but who did I piss and moan at if the thing was junk? That'd be my CC." I think it would be mighty interesting to shake things up a little, but like Dad, I'm thinking it's not going to happen.

I think your dad was spot on. Letarte is OK, but not a super star. And if Jr (Dale) could find it in his being to shed Jr (Tony) and put a good CC in his place, he'd start taking home trophies again - but that's akin to taking castor oil for a sore throat (not something you look forward to - yech, that stuff tastes terrible!!!)

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

I think your dad was spot on. Letarte is OK, but not a super star. And if Jr (Dale) could find it in his being to shed Jr (Tony) and put a good CC in his place, he'd start taking home trophies again - but that's akin to taking castor oil for a sore throat (not something you look forward to - yech, that stuff tastes terrible!!!)

No way... Tony may be a better "race strategist" than Letarte. But, maybe not better than Knaus.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

I think your dad was spot on. Letarte is OK, but not a super star. And if Jr (Dale) could find it in his being to shed Jr (Tony) and put a good CC in his place, he'd start taking home trophies again - but that's akin to taking castor oil for a sore throat (not something you look forward to - yech, that stuff tastes terrible!!!)

Interesting ...

The easiest way to ditch Eury would have been when Jr. moved to HMS. Too late now. Plus, he's family.

Castor oil? Now that's something I haven't heard of in many, many years. My mother used to give me that as a kid. I have no idea why ...

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

The easiest way to ditch Eury would have been when Jr. moved to HMS. Too late now. Plus, he's family.

That's what I originally thought. But I wonder now. If Hendrick put some pressure on Jr. to win, basically said I'm getting rid of Tony because he can't cut the mustard, what would Jr. do? Is blood thicker than water, or Sunoco in this case? Unless there is a contractual reason why Hendrick can't give Eury the axe, I would think eventually he'd have to make a change. What would Jr. do then? Go along with the change? Does he have a choice? I would find it hard to believe that Hendrick would contractually give up control of CC changes for any of his driver's, so it may eventually be a scenario Jr. faces. I wonder what he'd do.

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

That's what I originally thought. But I wonder now. If Hendrick put some pressure on Jr. to win, basically said I'm getting rid of Tony because he can't cut the mustard, what would Jr. do? Is blood thicker than water, or Sunoco in this case? Unless there is a contractual reason why Hendrick can't give Eury the axe, I would think eventually he'd have to make a change. What would Jr. do then? Go along with the change? Does he have a choice? I would find it hard to believe that Hendrick would contractually give up control of CC changes for any of his driver's, so it may eventually be a scenario Jr. faces. I wonder what he'd do.

SpaceCadet, you're dreaming. Hendrick is set with Dale Jr. and Tony Eury Jr. for the 2008 season. Tony Eury Jr. is one of the better crew chiefs in NASCAR. The 88 is doing pretty good, even without a win this year. They are 3rd in the points race. Remember, they won one of the Duel 150s at Daytona.

I assumed you were looking for Latarte's head because Jeff Gordon is in a "so called" slump. Really, the season is still in the early stages. If Gordon is not in the top 10 by mid season - he may be in trouble of not being able to win the championship. Now that's optimistic, isn't it?

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

SpaceCadet, you're dreaming. Hendrick is set with Dale Jr. and Tony Eury Jr. for the 2008 season. Tony Eury Jr. is one of the better crew chiefs in NASCAR. The 88 is doing pretty good, even without a win this year. They are 3rd in the points race. Remember, they won one of the Duel 150s at Daytona.

I assumed you were looking for Latarte's head because Jeff Gordon is in a "so called" slump. Really, the season is still in the early stages. If Gordon is not in the top 10 by mid season - he may be in trouble of not being able to win the championship. Now that's optimistic, isn't it?

I've got to totally disagree about Eury being one of the better crew chiefs in NASCAR. I just don't see it. I'm just curious as to why you say he is such a great crew chief? I don't have a problem that you feel that way, just wondering what your opinon is based on. I don't care too much that Jr.'s in third. With the equipment he has, his cars have still not been that great. Honestly, I give credit to his driving skills for being where he is. The cars have been less than stellar, for the most part. JMHO. As far as Letarte goes, I have never been a fan. He makes a few good calls and everybody falls all over him, but again, I just don't see him ever being at Knaus' level. Gordon has two good things going for him - his talent, and his spotter, who makes a lot of those great calls. Personally, I like Jeff Gordon. I would like to see him win another championship. I think he will do it eventually, regardless of his crew chief. I hope to see a big turnaround at 'Dega and would agree that he is far from out of the picture.