BengalszoneBilly Posted August 28, 2007 Report Share Posted August 28, 2007 I'll bet every Zone dollar I got that he won't make the chase. Kurt Busch has got it going on with his team, and isn't going to slip up now and let Junior pass him in the standings. That being said, the best thing "Little E" could have done was go to Hendricks. He'll have PROFESSIONAL support and direction/consultation there, and will be a regular participant in the Chase for many years to come. It'll show just how bad Theresa Earnhardt manages DEI. Even Martin Truex Jr. is in a struggle to make the chase at this point, although I think he may. Give it up girl. You were Dales wife. That doesn't inherently make you a good manager. I don't care how many other smaller teams or veteran drivers you bring in or decide to merge with. Organizations fail FROM THE TOP! Last time I checked, that's where you sat wasn't it? Dale Sr. is rolling over in his grave right now... Championship slipping away for Earnhardt at DEI By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer - August 26, 2007BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) -- After his best finish in almost a month, Dale Earnhardt Jr. had one thing on his mind. ``I'm ready to go home, get on the lake!'' he said, pumping his fist. But as Earnhardt enjoyed a rare Sunday off from Nextel Cup racing, he was faced with the harsh realization that his last chance to win a championship for Dale Earnhardt Inc. is slipping away. Carl Edwards clinched a berth for the Chase for the championship by winning Saturday night's race at Bristol Motor Speedway, leaving Earnhardt farther from contention with his fifth-place finish. With only two races to go before the championship field is set, Earnhardt is 158 points away from the 12th and final qualifying spot. He knows that not making the Chase is considered professional failure -- Earnhardt lived it during a miserable 2005 season -- and dreads what the final 10 weeks of the season will be like if he again isn't eligible to run for the title. ``When we don't make it, everybody makes a big deal out of it,'' he said. ``They talk about it pre-race. They talk about it post-race. It's a bummer when you see that and have to watch that and read it and what not. You kind of want to go under the radar when you can't get it done.'' But NASCAR's most popular driver can't ever go under the radar. His every move is scrutinized, and Earnhardt is convinced the credit for his success isn't nearly as great as the criticism for his failures. Despite 17 career victories, a Daytona 500 win and two Busch Series championships, Earnhardt is often judged by his inability to win a Cup title. The closest he came was third in 2003, and he's not seriously contended since a brief run at the title in the inaugural 2004 Chase. ``Y'all make it pretty miserable because that's all y'all talk about,'' he told reporters Saturday night. ``I shouldn't tell you that you dictate my mood. But now you know.'' And if Earnhardt fails to make the Chase for the second time in three years, he'll be faced with the fact that he'll likely never win a Cup title for his late father's team. He's leaving DEI at the end of this season to drive for Hendrick Motorsports, where he's got a five-year contract and hopes to finish his career there. His relationship with his stepmother is a bitter rollercoaster ride -- he blasted Teresa Earnhardt a week ago for not letting him take his No. 8 with him to Hendrick, then on Friday implored fans to halt their Internet attacks against her. It seems unlikely he'll drive for DEI again. When he said in May he would leave at the end of the year, he promised to go hard the rest of the year. That won't change the next two weeks as he tries to knock Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. or Kurt Busch out of the Chase. ``All I can do is be (aggressive) and run as good as I can run,'' Earnhardt said. Edwards believes Earnhardt has the right attitude and that Busch, currently 12th, should keep a close eye on his rearview mirror. ``If I were 158 points ahead of 13th in 12th position, I'd still be having trouble sleeping at night,'' Edwards said. ``I think the last spot is still up for grabs. Two bad races for Kurt would be rough.'' Busch, who finished one spot behind Earnhardt in sixth, knows he can't let up the next two races, at California and Richmond. ``We're running more consistent, and that's what it takes if you want to be a championship contender,'' said Busch, who won Tuesday's rain-postponed race in Michigan. ``But for us, we still have to get into the Chase. We're not locked in, so we're not losing focus with two more races.'' Not even Ryan Newman, who is 14th, is giving up. ``We still have a shot at it,'' he said. ``Mathematically, we still have a chance. We're just trying to give it our best shot, each and every lap. That's good enough in my eyes -- whether it's good enough to make the top 12, we'll see.'' With all that pressure, Earnhardt has his work cut out for him. Two engine failures in the last five races have put him in this position, and he believes his No. 8 team is better than its given credit for. But if he misses the Chase, Earnhardt said he won't head to the lake for the final 10 races of the season. He intends to stay committed and try to drive his way into Victory Lane one last time in his red No. 8 Chevrolet. ``Maybe we can get us a win,'' he said. ``I'll be more ticked off if I don't win a race this year because I've run good all year. We've had so many opportunities, you know?'' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenyon1977 Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 Oh yeah it's gone for him. Kurt Busch needs to hit the wall the next two races and JR would still have to finish strong.On the other hand I got the news today that Jr might be driving the 38 next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted August 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 On the other hand I got the news today that Jr might be driving the 38 next year.I dunno. It just doesn't have the same ring to it as just saying the "8" car, does it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenyon1977 Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 On the other hand I got the news today that Jr might be driving the 38 next year.I dunno. It just doesn't have the same ring to it as just saying the "8" car, does it.Yeah but if they do the paint scheme right you'll know it's the 3 and the 8 riding together Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted August 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 On the other hand I got the news today that Jr might be driving the 38 next year.I dunno. It just doesn't have the same ring to it as just saying the "8" car, does it.Yeah but if they do the paint scheme right you'll know it's the 3 and the 8 riding togetherHmmm. I never thought of it that way. Interesting idea though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsbengalsbucks Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 Not surprising, an average driver at best in good equipment. He will be lucky to get his obligatory 1 win this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted September 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2007 Not surprising, an average driver at best in good equipment. He will be lucky to get his obligatory 1 win this season.I'm betting (in my fantasy league too) it's tonight in Richmond. It's imperative that he wins tonight to even have a hope in hell of getting into the Chase.BTW, this is the BEST picture I've ever seen of him: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.