Should LiL E have changed crew chiefs when he changed teams?

Question

I think its a big mistake bringing Eury Jr with him to Hendrick. Earlier this year i heard Eury Jr say after one of their 6 DNFs that he was ok with it, and basically was content and happy with being mediocre. I lost all respect for that dude at that moment, and was blown away when Dale Jr. as well as Rick Hendrick decided to bring him along. cousin or not!

Answer 1

From what I have learned, Dale Jr negotiated control over his crew chief when he was working out the particulars of his contract with Rick Hendrick. Too bad for him, I think he would have been better off going with Alan Gustafson. Yes, Jr and Jr have history and similar genes but they don't have the type of driver/crew chief relationship needed for long term success. Tony makes a pit or race strategy call, Dale yells at him and then Tony gives in. In my opinion, Jr should have taken advantage of the personnel at HMS and started off fresh. You can see a big difference with Jeff Gordon and how he actually listens to Steve Latarte as opposed to when he would constantly argue with Robbie Reiser. Jeff has easily won 2 and maybe even 3 races this year because he trusted the decisions his crew chief made.

Answer 2

Jr changed teams in the name of winning a championship. I do not see Eury Jr as a championship caliber crew chief. Here's my argument: We see Jr run strong some times, and when he runs strong, he stays strong. But sometimes he starts the race back in the 21st spot, and never seems to advance throughout the race. When Jimmy Johnson or Tony Stewart start the race back in the pack, they may run poorly the whole day, but by the end of the race they are pulling up to the front. They don't come to the front by luck...it's because of Knause and Zippy. That is the trait of a championship caliber crew chief.

Last Saturday night is a perfect example - Jr started off strong, but then faded back as the track conditions changed. It is the crew chief's responsibility to adjust the car to the changing conditions. I know that Eury Jr went to Hendrick after Talledega so it wasn't his fault, but he may have a wake-up call over there.

Answer 3

Yes , I think it's a mistake bringing Eury JR. along.If the car's set-up isn't right from the start,he never seems to know what to do with it to make it right. How many times have we seen Little E charge to the front only to drop back because the handling has gone away. Then Eury JR ends up chasing the set-up all day ,and never gets it right.

Answer 4

Well I'll be the first to say I'm not a huge fan of Eury Jr. But they have won races together and considering they're both starting fresh on a new team, it might good for them to stick with one another at least for the time being. It just makes things a little easier in the transition period. If things don't work out that well, then I'm sure Rick won't hesistate to make needed changes.

Answer 5

This is a really good Q and one I have thought about quite a bit. At first I was thinking like you are sort of.
I could see the whole DEI group falling behind while teams from like RCR and HMS catch and pass them right up and consistently getting better while DEI I guess you could say they bottomed out at a around a top 15 team or organization. So I don't think it's anything that they are just OK with, I think it was the best they could do with what they had to work with. Knowledge from testing and equipment.
Give them a year and see what happens. Hendrick's isn't new at this stuff so I think he might just know what he has done.

Answer 6

Jr. is going to have enough changes just going to Hendricks.

He and Eury Jr. work well together and this will be a chance for Jr. and Eury Jr. to prove with good equipment they can win. If Jr. didn't take him everyone would blame Eury Jr. for the rest of his life.

Eury Jr. is not the problem. Inferior equipment is the problem.

As to being okay with the DNF what other option did he have? The DEI engines were blowing and there was nothing he could do about it. Live with it for now and then move on.

Answer 7

I agree with you jr4prez for all the rasons you stated plu these also--They argue to much during the race I have heard them on the Tv broadcasts where the TV announcers replay the car radio to crew chief radio transmissions. And during races I attended I heard the same back and forth arguments over 2 tires or 4 or which adjustments to make and so forth. I think if he is starting over he should have a complete fresh start and had one of Hendricks crew chiefs like Alan Gustufson be the crew chief someone who is familiar with Hendricks Operation-Cars-Equipment and procedures for doing things.

Answer 8

Great question! I really think so. Because of several reasons but mostly to get away from the old situation. He has seemed to do a little better without him but really it is indifferent. I do not think Eury, Jr. is the best crew chief for him but I am not real sure of their dynamics. I think a new start-across the board would be better.

Answer 9

Remains to be seen. Jr knows which side of his bread is buttered now, family or not, Mr. Hendrick would not tolerate a defeatist attitude. Eury may have said that because he was fed up with DEI. I don't think he had a say in how the car was built at DEI, he will at Hendrick.

Answer 10

I bet Hendrick wants Junior to feel comfortable with their organization for awhile. You know. Wait untill Junior gets adapted to his new connections. Juniors crew cheif could be replaced at any time in the future. You can't totally change Juniors surroundings and expect a progression. At least this way Junior will be right at home with his radio communications during a race. The team owner will know when and if it's time for a change.