[Robertdjr]

CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 30, 2009) – Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick has named Lance McGrew the full-time crew chief of the No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolets driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The 41-year-old McGrew assumed the role May 28 on an interim basis.

"I have total faith in Lance and what he's capable of accomplishing with Dale Jr.," Hendrick said. "There was a lot of pressure with how he came into this deal, and the way he's handled it has been extremely impressive. Lance is confident in himself and in his decisions, and all the outside distractions aren't going to faze him. He's a strong-willed guy who will keep his eye on the ball and not settle."

"Lance has been part of the solution, not the problem," said Earnhardt, an 18-time winner in the Sprint Cup Series. "He's tough, which is what I need, and we've really clicked in a short period of time. The communication has gotten better every practice and every race, and I know that's going to keep improving. Having this decision behind us is really important, and now we can focus on the future instead of the past."

Official Site of Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Racing & Team Store

[oncea3fan]

poor guy, he was probably hoping to get moved

[Robertdjr]

I think what Junior really needs is a picture of his old man on the hood showing him how to get to Victory Lane.

[Miz+Zou]

I just think its pretty much all up to Jr, its almost as if he chooses when he wants to drive well.

[NASCAR Gnome]

Good for the 88 team!

McGrew is more than capable to be a crew chief at this level and having listened to him and Junior on the scanner gives me confidence that he will take care of the crew chief end of the arrangement!

[Bassdogs]

Doubt that I am alone, but am wondering how the 48, 24, 5, 14, 39, etc for a few other HMS motors; tend to have pretty good days and typically good finishes and JR crashes and burns just about every race. If its not an engine, tranny, tire issue, or whatever; its just something that ends up w/ Jr into the wall or limping into the garage.

It will never happen, but I'd love to see HMS repaint a 48 car and put Jr on the track with it. Let Chad set it up and prep it for race trim and don't let Jr know. I'm now of the opinion that he would crash and burn just like always.

Sorry Jr, I like you but its time to pull those belts tight and GO!! Its not the cars, the engines, the set-ups, or just bad luck. It's you.

[Quality88]

All I got to say is, Godspeed to McGrew.

[oncea3fan]

I don't think jr.has respect for lance, and until jr. changes his adittude he will continue to run mid pack.

does jr. even want to race any more , has he lost his fire to compete ??

[Robertdjr]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

I don't think jr.has respect for lance, and until jr. changes his adittude he will continue to run mid pack.

does jr. even want to race any more , has he lost his fire to compete ??

You may be right. I saw him asked about it this weekend. He said all the right things, but there was zero excitement in his answers. I don't know if that's because he was more concerned about running at Talladega, or he's completely burned out with the way things have gone this year, or he just doesn't care anymore. Whatever the reason, there was no fire.

[LSC9901]

I'm not sure about that. Jr is a terrible interviewee on a good day. There is no doubt that he feels the pressure to perform. I won't discount the thought that he just doesn't have the desire anymore but I'm just not sure you can tell much from his interviews.

[Robertdjr]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I'm not sure about that. Jr is a terrible interviewee on a good day. There is no doubt that he feels the pressure to perform. I won't discount the thought that he just doesn't have the desire anymore but I'm just not sure you can tell much from his interviews.

Good point! He's never been the best interview in the garage.

[Miz+Zou]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Doubt that I am alone, but am wondering how the 48, 24, 5, 14, 39, etc for a few other HMS motors; tend to have pretty good days and typically good finishes and JR crashes and burns just about every race. If its not an engine, tranny, tire issue, or whatever; its just something that ends up w/ Jr into the wall or limping into the garage.

It will never happen, but I'd love to see HMS repaint a 48 car and put Jr on the track with it. Let Chad set it up and prep it for race trim and don't let Jr know. I'm now of the opinion that he would crash and burn just like always.

Sorry Jr, I like you but its time to pull those belts tight and GO!! Its not the cars, the engines, the set-ups, or just bad luck. It's you.

I wouldnt let Jr. drive my car and im wondering if you realize that you want Dale to drive

[nascaraddict]

There's just been too much upheaval with that team. There's been no firm foundation since Dale Earnhardt Jr. got to Hendrick. And that's part of the reason why he's not succeeding.

[loco4pablo]

Originally Posted by nascaraddict

There's just been too much upheaval with that team. There's been no firm foundation since Dale Earnhardt Jr. got to Hendrick. And that's part of the reason why he's not succeeding.

i knew someone would find some reason other then the obvious

[Bob Tanner]

I'm going to give an opinion and make a prediction which goes against what many state and will probably get my butt handed to me. So be it.

I think a lot of this years pee-poor showing was Junior's fault. He kept his old crew chief (Tony Jr.) who was family and way too close to the problem. I believe that junior intimidated him and it ended up being the classic case of a ship with no rudder.

I believe Junior used Tony Jr. as a "Security blankie," much like Linus does in the comic strip Peanuts. When he got his security blankie taken away he psychologically threw a little fit. Missed pit stops, wrecks, etc., etc. Stuff happens.

That said, as much as I detest Rick Hendrick, the man knows talent and he can motivate. I predict that he will take some of the swelling out of Junior head over the off season, get his feet firmly planted back on Terra firma, and with McGrew, will turn the kid around and he'll be a solid contender next year. If Junior fails, and has another 2009, I firmly believe Rick'll dump him and get a driver who will perform.

OK, have at me.