Dale Earnhardt Jr. is NASCAR's most popular driver. I have said before that I do not understand why, other than respect for his lineage.
However, and the myopic citizens of "Junior Nation" need to realize: BEING MOST POPULAR DOES NOT WIN RACES! In fact, it works to increase the pressure to perform, in a sport whose popularity has been slipping recently.
Jr.'s employer, Rick Hendrick, finally did the deed on Thursday. He pulled Jr's cousin and crew chief, Tony Eury Jr., off the pit box. Brian Whitesell will pinch hit this week in Dover, before well-regarded Lance McGrew, whose won as a crew chief in all of NASCAR's top three series, takes over as leader of the 88 band in a couple of weeks.
Even Jr. admitted it: their performance has been poor the last couple of months, and they've not been enjoying the work as they should.
While Tony Jr. will take a post in Hendrick's R&D department (don't be surprised if his relationship with Mr. Hendrick ends sooner, rather than later), Dale Jr. now has to show that HE'S not to blame for the dismal, 19th in points, hasn't won a race in ages performance. Good luck with that.
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