Change was inevitable - Eury Jr. out as 88 crew chief

[6 Shooter]

We knew it had to happen. Something needed to be done. Why are we so
surprised? David Caraviello explains the machinations behind the latest
driver-crew chief change.​

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. will have a new crew chief starting with this weekend's race at Dover.

The team said Thursday that Tony Eury Jr. was replaced as crew chief of Earnhardt's No. 88 team.

They left Dale Earnhardt Inc. last season to drive for Hendrick Motorsports, but they've yet to find consistency despite driving for NASCAR's top team.

"Our performance hasn't been where it should be," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "It's impossible to pin that on any one factor, but a change is the right decision at this point. We have a plan in place, and we're going to move forward with it."

They have one win in 48 races with Hendrick and are 19th in points. They hit rock bottom with Monday's 40th-place finish at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Team manager Brian Whitesell will be the crew chief this weekend. Lance McGrew will take over next week on an interim basis as team owner Rick Hendrick figures out a long-term plan for NASCAR's most popular driver.

"We're cousins, but we're a lot like brothers," Earnhardt said Thursday during an appearance for Michigan International Speedway at Motor City Casino. "We've been sort of at odds with each other over the last couple of weeks.

"As a whole, our relationship is really, really strong, and we've always really had a great enthusiasm to work together. We came to Hendrick with a little bit of a risk. We felt a lot of pressure when we went to Rick to work, but we jumped in with both feet and really felt like we were going to make it happen. It's really, really disappointing that it didn't work out like we wanted."

NASCAR Article Link

 

[6 Shooter]

I like JR, but he ain't "The Intimidator" and never will be!

​

L8TR - D

 

[vett boy]

Although Jr. is the most popular driver his fan base is slowly moving elsewhere.

 

[rascal_rascal_99]

I guess my curiosity is the same as everyone elses, wondering who'll come in now. Who was the guy that took over as crew chief for the 48 team when Chad K got suspended, Brian Gruber or something like that wasn't it? I'm pretty sure he's chiefing for another race team but unless there was bad blood when he left, I wouldn't be surprised if RickH managed to go buy him back.

I don't think it'll be Eury Sr even though I keep hearing from everyone I know swearing that's who's coming back to him, I just don't see it happening.

Part of the question here too I think, is who will want to? From a crew chiefs side of it, Jr isn't that good at communicating with them from the sounds of what I've heard and tends to go off at them over the radio...other chiefs won't put up with that like Eury Jr did. The flip side to that is who can they bring in willing to take this job that Jr will have enough respect for and to me that says Rick is going to have to throw a ton of money at a seasoned chief somewhere to buy them away from where they're at. Someone that will be able to put Jr in his place and keep him focused, something that I think hasn't happened since when he lost his father.

 

[Baldie88]

I predict that there will be changes soon at JR Motorsports also. I have a fairly reliable source that says Jr. has a lot of relatives working there now and it is being run more like DEI (disfunctional) rather than Hendricks (winning organization). Apparently Rick Hendricks isn't real happy but keep Jr. around because of all the money he generates from t-shirts and other stuff. I also heard that Jr. isn't real happy driving a Nationwide car but has to do so for sponsor support. Consequently he probably isn't giving it his best effort.

Ron
"Baldie88"

 

[jrose7004]

The crew chief change was needed but it's not going to make any difference in his performance.

 

[vett boy]

I guess my curiosity is the same as everyone elses, wondering who'll come in now. Who was the guy that took over as crew chief for the 48 team when Chad K got suspended, Brian Gruber or something like that wasn't it? I'm pretty sure he's chiefing for another race team but unless there was bad blood when he left, I wouldn't be surprised if RickH managed to go buy him back.

Sorry the crew chief in question is now with the greatest driver in NASCAR history. I'll give ya a hint (T.S)

The change in crew chiefs will help possibly in the short term ,but 10 races or less Jr. will still be out of the chase.

Just my humble opinion as a NASCAR expert.

 

[rascal_rascal_99]

Sorry the crew chief in question is now with the greatest driver in NASCAR history. I'll give ya a hint (T.S)

The change in crew chiefs will help possibly in the short term ,but 10 races or less Jr. will still be out of the chase.

Just my humble opinion as a NASCAR expert.

Glad you know who I'm talking about better than I do! Yep, that's who I was thinking of, can't believe I didn't remember thats where he is at now, I had it stuck in my head he was working on some mid-pack second tier team...maybe that's because before the season started I was afraid that'd be where Smoke would be running at. In this case, I'll be madad if Rick buys him away from where he is to come sit on Jr's pit box.

Jrose, if they don't get a crew chief that can put Jr in his place and that Jr will really respect and listen to, I think you're totally right. I think it's going to take one that can come in, throw his success in Jr's face and be able to say "look at all the races I've won as crew chief and what I've done, now shut up and do what you're told and drive the car like you're supposed to". I'm just having trouble coming up with someone that fits that description who I think would leave where they're currently at to take this job. Robbie Loomis for example, or Zippy from JGR (besides, I think he knows he's working with one of the best young drivers out there and will want to stay with him).

 

[vett boy]

I just looked and Jr. is about 200 points out of the chase.Thats a lot of ground to make up .