Will this Make or Break Dale Jr's career??

Question

Just curious on your thoughts. I like watching Jr. I like nascar. But jr's comments about not having the proper equipment. Well, He sure as hell will have some of the best technology and team behind him. So if he performs, He'll be great, but what if, just what if this doesn't work out. I mean with the best equipment, (hendricks dominating this year) if he doesn't perform, will people say he can't win. And what is performing, winning races in 2008, or championship in 2008, what's realistic to all of Jr. Nation. No championship, no love. What are your expectations????

Answer 1

This is a good question.
I think dale is a lot harder on himself than any of his fans could ever be. He has made it clear that he wants a championship...this is the whole motivation for moving to HMS. I have no doubt that he will perform, but a championship in his first year is a little unrealistic.

Personally, I don't care if her ever wins a championship, I like his commitment and passion for racing. He's a stand up guy with good values and I challenge anyone to prove that wrong..That's what NASCAR needs. And he NEVER let anyone take advantage of him!

EVERY real Jr. fan knows why her left DEI, and that It was the only choice he had. Once Dale Sr. died, that was no longer his company...it was his wifes to run.......into the ground.

Answer 2

It is a put up or shut up alright. His entire career depends on him performing next year. He needs to make the chase obviously and win several races (not just one) next year alone to earn any respect and justify his decision to leave the family business. That's not expecting too much considering all the whinning he has done about not having the proper equipment with DEI which he has used to justify why he left his own father's company. Not to mention he did make the chase last year and won 1 race while driving for DEI without the proper equipment. Well he'll definitely have the equipment now, so he should be capable of soo much more. 2009 he should go all the way and win the cup, him being so good and he'll have the equipment. No excuses left. Lets see if he has the guts and talent to use it. Sadly what Jr doesnt know is it takes more than just winning to be a champion.

Answer 3

I pulled for Jr. after Dale Sr's. death - no longer. Both Dale and his sister were well over 21 when Dale Sr. died - he left Teresa in control. Check on the internet and also in books published prior to Dale's death and you will find that Dale and Teresa had Kelly and Jr. for lots of years after their mother moved away. I am ticked that he turned his back on DEI - it was all about having controlling interest in DEI; wanted 51%. Wanted Kelly and him to run it - Teresa to take a back seat. NOT what Dale Sr. had envisioned nor wanted or he would have made those provisions.

I have always thought that Jr. felt he was as good as Dale Sr. I haven't been so sure of that but guess we're gonna find out the next couple of years. I will not be pulling for Rick Hendrick cars and I won't pull for Jr. just because it is junior. What he did was disloyal . It isn't all about wanting to "win" or be a "champion" - that is part of it but much of it was control and power.

Oh, so Dale died, he and Kelly have tossed aside any relationship with Teresa who helped raise them and now his Mom is at his side at races. Guess more of that is to be expected now at Hendrick.

Don't you know Dale Sr. is just real proud of Jr.???/

Answer 4

I agree with chugs......Theresa really didn't give him much an option with DEI, if he really wants to win championships he needed to be with an owner/company that will support him 100%, obviously DEI hasn't lived up to that. So what if he isn't the top driver for HMS....he has the passion and the skill to be one of the best drivers that company has. We may not see a big difference in 2008, but give the guy a year to settle in and then watch out. As far as this decision ruining his career....no way. Any fans that he does loose were never true fans to begin with. Who cares who he races for.....its JR!!!! I can only speak for myself, but I think he made the right decision. JR Nation needs to get over it.

Answer 5

I relatively have heard because of fact the wicked Stepmother won't permit him take the 8 with him, that he is going to have an 8 in his type. probably even 08, or any type in the eighty's. the folk with Jr tattoos could get touch up for Sr and Jr the three and eight will in no way die.

Answer 6

I know its gonna get very interesting for next year. I think only Dale Jr. can answer that one in the mirror after all the technology and equipment he'll be getting. I love Dale Jr. with all my heart. I think honestly he will prevail and do gr8t!!! He's an Earnhardt thick and through!!!!! Go Dale Jr.!!!!!!

Answer 7

You are right about Hendrick having the best equipment, I think that Jr will do much better now that he has the proper support

Answer 8

Next year will be put up or shut up for Dale Jr. No more bad equipment excuses. We will see what he's really made of. I cannot wait.

Answer 9

This appears more to be a mid point of his career.He has been with the family bussiness and has had some success.Now he is with a championship caliber team and is (will be) in contention now that he has less politics to deal with.
As for end of his career that is still 10 or more years away.

Answer 10

Tough to answer. He is now third on a four car team, and trust me, he is third. I think he would have been better off going to Ginn or somewhere where he could blame the team for his mediocre talent. When he is not IN a race, he's really not IN a race....laps down. Kyle could have won 5 races by now.