What if Jr left DEI and went to HMS..........?

Question

Would you Jeff Gordon and Hendrick fans be mad? Lets face it, y'all say that he cant drive, but owners are foaming at the mouth at the chance that he may not re-sign. Would y'all still say that he cant driver now that he's your favorite drivers team mate. Jeff himself has said that he would like to have him as a team mate, which means one thing, the guy can drive.

Scenrio, Hendrick drops Casey, puts Jr in the 25 with Budwieser on the hood. It would be fitting being that Budwieser did sponsor that car for a while. Again, this is a what if, I'm not looking for bashing, or Jr fans being pissed, I'm a Jr fan, but I want to see how Hendrick fans will respond.

Hendrick fans, I know that y'all arent the only ones that dislike or hate Jr, sorry for the sterotype. I ment to edit that before I submitted.

Found on jayski.com
The latest on the Dale Earnhardt Jr. saga: The “Robert Yates” NASCAR brand will remain a Ford brand, even in any merger with Dale Earnhardt Inc., according to sources familiar with the Yates-DEI negotiations. However Earnhardt, who has been the heart of DEI, insisted he will be in Chevrolets again next season, no matter what. Those two facts make the DEI-Yates negotiations peculiar, particularly since Earnhardt has been negotiating a new contract with DEI owner Teresa Earnhardt, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. demanding controlling interest in DEI. If DEI officials are negotiating a possible switch to Ford, then Earnhardt would clearly appear to be not involved with those talks. Which would mean if Yates and DEI do come to terms, it would almost certainly be a Yates-DEI merger without Earnhardt in the mix. There has been rampant speculation the past few days that Earnhardt may be moving to either Richard Childress’ Chevy team or Rick Hendrick’s Chevy team.

I also want to add, this isnt about Jr going to RCR, everyone knows that Jr will always have a home there if he wants it. I would be a fan of seeing him in the #3, but this question is about him going to HMS and how Hendrick fans would react to him being part of the Hendrick stable. They're are many Hendrick fans, not all of them, on the Q and A board that say that he cant drive, I would just like to know how fans would feel.

Answer 1

I am a Gordon fan and I don't have any problems with Jr. at all. He's a great guy and a good race car driver. It's all the Jr fans that I have a problem with. Some of them hype him up to be something he's not and react badly when he doesn't win. I think it actually hurts Jr. being so popular. Theresa was right when she said he has to deciede whether he wants to become a personality or a driver.

Having said that I would love to see him at HMS. How awesome would that be, 24, 48, 5, 25 and jr battling for wins every week. And what about plate racing?? No one would be able to stop HMS. Remember that HMS can have 5 teams up until 2009... after that they have a great partnership with Haas CNC racing (remember Haas are building that multimillion dollar win tunnel, what other team do you think it gonna get preference on it?) so HMS can send one of their 5 there.

Honestly, Jr's best chance to win a championship would be to join HMS. Gordon said something that got me thinking about Jr at HMS Friday in his media visit:

"I'd be surprised if he was driving a Ford. I would be. But I think what Dale wants is to be a part of a team that could win a championship. With all the turmoil going on at DEI right now and his contract, it's going to take them a while to get out of that let alone try to combine with another organization. That to me will only take them backwards before taking them forward. I find that hard to believe that he feels like that's the move that can get him where he needs to be championship-wise." [Jeff Gordon]

I think by the end of June we'll know for sure. Here's hoping!

Answer 2

Well I personally wouldnt be mad. I know that others would be upset I personally would think that it would be great if he did. Also I wouldn't drop Casey instead drop Kyle Busch, yes he has talent but him and his brother are both super huge cry babies and they complain about everything and they are no replacements of the people who used to drive their cars. Like Kurt is no Rusty and Kyle is no Terry.. I mean they don't have half the talent that these guys did. Even though last year Terry did drive with a Hendrick engine at Sonoma and he was leading and Jeff caught up to him and passed him for the win but that was still a great moment in time and Jeff said that Terry was a hell of a driver during his interview in Victory Lane... So I personally would love to see what Jr. could do in a Hendrick Car.. Hendrick has the best everything thats why their the best and thats why Jeff Gordon is the best.. Then again Sr. drove for RCR and was considered the best behind Richard Petty and Hendrick was a team back then so I guess it depends on what your view is now I mean what's changed between now and then I guess...

Answer 3

I don't think most Gordon fans have a problem with Jr himself, just his ignorant fans (and let me state that not ALL Jr fans are ignorant). I actually like Dale Earnhardt Jr some, he really seems like a decent, down to earth kind of guy. I would also put him in the top 10 for driving ability in NASCAR and that would be a step up from Mears who might make the top 15 if he is lucky. Jr has got to be looking at their track record and wishing he had that type of team, equipment and resources. If he REALLY wants to win a championship it would be a great move for him and I would welcome him with open arms (though Jimmie will always be my favorite driver). I think Kyle might have just a little more talent but I think Jr is a smarter driver and could finish higher than the 5 car if they were teammates. The question is will Jr be able to swallow his pride enough to come to Hendrick Motorsports knowing he's 3rd in the pecking order. Obviously he would still be the most popular driver. If DEI goes to Ford they will not only lose a lot of Sr fans but the Jr Nation as well. If he were to go to RCR he would just be following his dad and would never get out of his shadow and comparisons to him.

Answer 4

I am a Hendrick fan and would love to see Junior come to Hendrick. Jr. is one of the most impressive drivers on the circuit and after a year or less could contribute a lot to the Hendrick organization. Also, it would remove the stereotype that Rick Hendrick only hires west coast drivers. I think Dale Jr. and Jeff would work well together and continue the Hendrick dominance that we have seen this year. Also, imagine Jr., Jeff, Jimmie, and Kyle as teammates at Daytona and Talladega. If Hendrick has the best restrictor plate program now, it could double its success with Jr. there.

Answer 5

When (not if) Jr. leaves DEI, the only real choices for him will be RCR and Hendrick. RCR is obviously the sentimental favorite due to his relationship with Dale Sr. but I get the feeling that Jr. wants to make a name for himself out from under his father's shadow. I think that Jr. is seeing the success Hendrick is having and thinking about what he could do with equipment like that and, ultimately, will sign with Hendrick. Kyle Busch is probably the odd man out, due to Mears' friendship with the late Ricky Hendrick, so we will see Dale Jr. driving the #5, sponsored by Budweiser (unless Theresa can be persuaded to relinquish the #8, which I don't see happening).

Answer 6

The man asked a simple question and everbody got riled up. I am a junior fan i don't care where he drives or who he drives for i won't even sit in a chevy because i like Fords its a personal preference. The first vehicle i had was a chevy impala and it blew up with only 36 miles on it for that reason i will not drive a chevy, but every week i tune in to see junior race. If he goes to HMS he will probably win 3 or 4 races every year and contend with his team mates for the title i just don't see that happening because of the 4 car rule that is in effect. I do not see Rick Hendrick letting promising stars go just to sign junior. Joe gibbs can put another car in the show and so can RCR. I see him going to gibbs before hendricks, but chances are he will end up at RCR. Teresa would probably sell him the rights to use the # 8 because it would be hard for anybody to get in that car after junior and not get compared to him every week and that is to much stress on a driver. I do not see junior driving the # 3 year round but i do see him driving it on his dads birthday or at daytona and talledega, could you imagine him winning at talledega in a red # 3 the fans would tear the place down and there wouldn't be a dry eye in the place. Budweiser is going to be his sponsor until somebody out bids them and considering the sales of bud beer i doubt thats going to happen so my personal opinion is junior in a red # 8 for RCR in 2008

Answer 7

Too many "EGOS" at hendrick for JR to go there JR will always be in a Chevrolet and I for one don't see him at DEI next year the negotiations have went on way to long and there is obviously bad blood there between him and his step mom I see him at RCR next season eventually in the #3 car think of the money they could raise and isn't that what this is all about NOW all he needs is GM Goodwrench to come back and presto richest team in Nascar!!!!

Answer 8

With the 4 team limit he won't go to HMS because of contracts. RCR has a spot open and the #3. If Dale, Jr. leaves DEI, he'll go to RCR. Junior has indicated recently that he would only drive a Chevy.

Answer 9

First off the sun would still rise tomorrow if he did sign with Hendricks.
Next which ever car he was put into would be an instant contendor.
The real fans od Junior would make the transition smooth.Where the "party" fans would complain and gripe.
So which every way Junior goes his true fans would follow.
I am not a Junior or a Hendricks fan,I just like good racing.

Answer 10

I'm huge HMS fan, and I love my four boys. Jeff, Jimmie, Casey and Kyle. Personally if that would happen. I'll anxious to see Jr. fans reaction. that would be really interesting, but I believe the team HMS is cool as it is right now, besides HMS has 4 teams already. and the drivers of the 24, 48, 25, 5 have their current contracts. so not gonna happen!!