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June 02, 2005
DEI duo will have to help themselves
At this point in the season, I don't think there's any real shame in DEI's having slipped to "second-tier" team status. If it doesn't say Roush or Hendrick somewhere on your race car, chances are that's where you live in this the 2005 Nextel Cup season.
The problem is that Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s No. 8 and No. 15 teams are barely hanging on in that second tier and could slip farther back.
Still, with NASCAR's chase points format, it's way too early for anyone to panic. Not that there isn't a growing sense of urgency at that big, shiny building up near Moorseville, N.C.
Both of the DEI cars were running in the top 10 Sunday at Lowe's Motor Speedway. That was, of course, before they both got wrecked.
But, even if unspectacular, top-10 runs would be good enough to get the Nos. 8 and 15 into the second round of Brian France's chase in the late summer and fall.
Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. each have five - count 'em fans, 5 - top 10s so far this season. That's the same number claimed by three of the drivers currently in the top 10 of the standings.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s average finish of 16.8 is even better than the 10-place guy, Kurt Busch's. Both DEI drivers, though, are sorely lacking in bonus points.
No, it's not time do a Dave Marcis or Kevin Lepage and just stay out when everyone else pits. Five points ain't worth that much when you're buried deep in the field.
Since it's still relatively early, there's no doubt that some of the points leaders will have trouble and come back to the rest of the pack a bit. But, just as NFL treams would prefer to "control their own destiny" as the playoffs approach, the DEI duo will need to do more for themselves.
Which would seemingly include being a tad more careful when their cars occupy the same part of the track.
June 2, 2005 in Racing | Permalink
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Comments
Unfortunately to get those bonuses in points, the driver and team have got to be on the same level of communication... and DEI is definitely not even near that level. Until they start listening to each other nothing is going to work. Yes, they may get a top 10 here and there, but that's as far as it will go. With Roush and Hendrick kicking everyone's doors down you can wish for a top ten and be happy with the day. They need to do whatever they can to take the win.
Posted by: Kali | Jun 2, 2005 11:41:25 AM
I hate tht DEI is going through these hard times, but to be struggling like they are, both teams could still possibly make the chase, though they have some improving to do.
I just wish one day, that HMS would go through this. Just one really bad year is all I ask.
Posted by: 19Jay12 | Jun 2, 2005 12:27:09 PM
Great point, Bob. Lot's of teams move between tiers. I think it was clear that last year RCR had slumped to "third tier" status amoung the Chevy teams, but they seem to have made significant improvements for this season. DEI will be back.....like the cycle of nature. Now if we could just figure out what it's gonna take to restore Petty Ent. to "first tier" status?????
Posted by: Chris Frazier | Jun 2, 2005 1:51:09 PM
Tnx for your notes.
Chris, I'm with you on the Pettys. A time machine maybe?
Posted by: Bob Henry | Jun 2, 2005 1:57:57 PM
HMS will never go through a year like DEI is having because unlike DEI there is alot of communication between the teams. Tony Eury summed it up well by saying that there were 2 single car teams at DEI. Another part of the problem is that Dale Jr. over acheived last year and this year he is just showing his real talent.
Posted by: Bob | Jun 2, 2005 2:00:33 PM
Bob,
HMS will most likely never have a year like that, but a man can dream can't he. Imagine
Jeff Gordon , 1win, 13th in points, Jimmie Johnson 1 win, 12th in points.
But I never would have imagined RCR having the struggles they had in 2002 and 2004. It can happen to the best.
Posted by: 19Jay12 | Jun 2, 2005 2:36:16 PM
what do you get when you take a lengend, a bunch of money, a kid not ready for the presure and lots of family???
you guessed it DEI
add a worn out driver who has ran 3000 races and only won 2 or 3 times???
right again Micheal Waltrip
now what do you get when you take alot of money - over the hill drivers and a assortment of shoulda - coulda - woulda???
right again FOX
Posted by: speedracer | Jun 2, 2005 2:57:29 PM
You think DEI has problems... I think Penske will be having worse ones next season.
Posted by: M Benson | Jun 2, 2005 5:00:18 PM
Speedracer
You don't pull your punches, do you? LOL
19jay12
Yes it's a shame that NASCAR has come to the Rich Multi car teams, but that's where it is today, and as long as HMS has Jimmy and Jeff, and if the tracks stop taking out Jeff. You just AIN"T goina see that, so go ahead and dream.
Posted by: Don | Jun 2, 2005 5:36:23 PM
Bob,
DEI is far from a second tier racing organization, just because they are having some issues they aren't that bad right now. When it is all said and done the issues will be a thing of the past and the #8 and #15 will be back up near the top where they belong. It is so easy for people like you to bash them and make claims of gloom and doom when the problems are made so public.
Posted by: Jon | Jun 2, 2005 7:42:35 PM
I agree with you Jon,its easy to kick someone when they are down. They better enjoy it. Maybe if Teresa were a convicted felon with more money than Rockafeller she could buy the Coca-Cola 600. Wonder how much it cost to get a race red flagged when you need it ?
Posted by: Steve | Jun 2, 2005 8:14:46 PM
I don't know but obviously Hendrick had enough to pay it. :)
Posted by: Jon | Jun 2, 2005 8:42:40 PM
hey I just speak what is on my mind.
I do not have a dislike for anyone.
I am just fed up with Nascar and their double standards. Lets wave the red flag with 9 laps left WHY makes people wonder and gives people the will to think that yes Nascar has 2 sets of rules.
As for Jr he was kind of a rowdy kid when his dad died and then boom everything is in this kids lap. So all this power is just a bit too much for him I suspect. Hell it killed Elvis. Besides when you are it they come out of the woodwork to get ya - so in many ways what Jr has is not something anyone should wish for.
Finaly I just can't handle FOX - ESPN was way better but money honey and Nascar was gone like a cheap date out for all she can get.
Would somebody please vote DW off the Island!!!!
Posted by: speedracer | Jun 2, 2005 9:17:10 PM
Jr has a lot of maturing left to do, no doubt. I don't think he or anyone else expected that he would have to take on the role he has, both at DEI and as the media's appointed representative for Nascar to the rest of the country. In a way, DEI is still operating the way race teams did back in the day (as are Penske, the Pettys, and many others). Maybe that does mean they'll occasionally lag behind the super-teams, but I still wouldn't trade them for the world.
Posted by: Sara | Jun 2, 2005 10:10:52 PM
Sara just remember that Nascar has changed.
Those who do not change with it will get left behind.
Penske racing is a joke.
Petty racing is just over the hill since King Richard left.
DEI is going to have to change for the better or they will just fade away.
Posted by: speedracer | Jun 2, 2005 11:57:57 PM
Speedracer, most of the time I disagree with what you post, but you are right about how Nascar has changed, and Penske, Petty and DEI have not.
I still like FOX better than NBC coverage.
Posted by: Marty | Jun 3, 2005 5:44:49 AM
I think the expectations that are placed on Dale Jr. is so great that he is not living up to the expectations and it maybe weighing heavy on him. junior will never reach the level of his dad and I think he doesn't really want that, he wants to be judges on his accomplishment and not as they compare to his dads. Besides he is a little ahead of his dad at this point in his career (195 races and 15 wins as compared to Sr.'s 12 after 195 races).
Posted by: Jon | Jun 3, 2005 7:48:52 AM
Don,
You are probably right, HMS isn't slowing down right now, much to my dismay.
MBenson,
I'm not sure if you're blind, ignorant or what, but Penske is doing fine. Ryan Newman's 4th, Rusty's 11th, and both have ran strong. Just because they don't communicate well doesn't mean they are in trouble. Penske has been the best all around dodge team this year. Even Travis Kvapil is showing some promise. SO quit taking cheap shots at Penske.
Speedracer,
If Penske is a joke, then where's the punchline, 4th and 11th in points? Much better than any team beside HMS and Roush. The only joke around here is your comments.
Posted by: 19Jay12 | Jun 3, 2005 11:48:03 AM
hey 19jay12
who cares where they are in the points.
look at the fighting going on in that team between the # 2 & # 12.
Do you call that a team.
Points who cares
Where will they end up at the end of the year - it won't be with a championship that's for sure. WHY - no team work and without team work that's all the higher they will go.
In a normal team there is team work and people work together but not at penski.
Look at DEI no teamwork is leading to big problems on and off the track.
So who cares if you like what I say. IT's the USA and I have every right to speak my mind 19Jay12
so FO *******god bless America***********
Posted by: speedracer | Jun 3, 2005 1:00:30 PM
OH so where you are in the points don't matter. Speedracer, obviously you aren't very knowledgable on the sport. Who cares that you speak your mind and free speech whatever, that doesn't mean you're right. It just means you are not afraid to make dumbass statements on the comment board.
Ryan Newman and Rusty Wallace will be in the chase, they don't use the same setups, who cares, the two teams are talented and have won races for the last 3 or 4 years, and they didn't work together then. Newman is still my pick to win the title.
Posted by: 19Jay12 | Jun 3, 2005 1:23:49 PM
Steve said it right, "convicted felon with more money than Rockefeller.." I'd be ashamed to be a fan of Wonderboy and Unibrow if their owner were a criminal.......wait! He is! Bob and speedracer show their ignorance every time they open their comments on here. HMS sharing info????? Give me a break! They have a billion cars and only two regularly compete for the win. Yeah, looks like Terry Labonte got all kinds of information from the other teams as well as he ran at the end of his career (that's sarcasm, in case you ignorant jackasses can't figure that out).
Posted by: Ironman | Jun 3, 2005 1:45:24 PM
Hey 19Jay12, that would be cool to see Newman win it if my favorite driver doesn't (anybody but one from The Felon), but the one nobody's watching is Elliott Sadler. He's going to sneak up on everybody. Hell, nobody notices how well he's done since he came to Yates. Look how sucky Rudd has done since swapping rides, which I find hilarious after he bashed Sadler before taking over the 21.
Posted by: Ironman | Jun 3, 2005 1:48:32 PM
I don't know how speedracer can't like DW. Hell, DW has his nose so far up Hendrick, Jeffy, and Jimmy's asses that he could give them a prostate exam. The old bastard doesn't ever talk highly about his brother; I'll bet he'd trade Mikey for Jeffy to be his brother any day. And you don't like him as an announcer????
Posted by: Ironman | Jun 3, 2005 1:51:05 PM
been watching nascar for 20 years.
seen it all - seen jeff gordan come in a piss off all the rednecks for bringing nascar to the mainstream.
seen Nascar just screw espn all for the love of money.
seen nascar change the rules so one team can win and then turn around and not do the same for another team.
seen this sport change and sometimes it has changed for the worst.
seen rusty flip so many times at daytona it took him 5 years before he would get back in the saddle.
went from dale to davy to ernie and lost every driver that I liked.
so bite me if you think I don't know racing.
all I know is that nascar changes the rules so often it's like believing all the crap that comes out of Washington.
Yes Elliot Sadler is a good driver and will do well but better watch out for Harvick.
Posted by: speedracer | Jun 3, 2005 3:10:15 PM
Ironman
It's odd you see DW that way, from reading on the Gordon boards, they see it just the opposite, They complain about DW only talking about Jr, even if he’s in the garage, and always raving about Mikey, guess it depends on where you’re coming from. But DW wasn’t giving the nickname Mouth for nothing. He’s doing what he gets paid for if we like it or not.
Posted by: Don | Jun 3, 2005 5:08:27 PM
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