What in the world is wrong with the #8???

[lawdog]

Good Grief, talk about a team in dissarray. Jr. was 42nd fastest in the first practice and 43rd in the second today. Qualifying tonight and then impounded until Sunday. They are in DEEP trouble at DEI!

[Sifty]

Could this be the result of the crew cheif change :confused

sifty:

[BUSHWAC]

Prediction- Jr doesn't make the chase and Flee's DEI to race for RCR in 2006. He'll be in the #3 one year after he boot's Harvick out of the 29 car!!

[JohnMickish]

They also hired Roush's head aerodynamicist this year. I don't think it's from a lack of money, but maybe a lack of commitment? I don't know but it would sure be frustrating to work there right now.

[Guest]

Was really thinking Jr would turn it around at Atlanta.After looking at the practice speeds, it looks like the whole DEI team is in deep doogy do.Maybe the loss of some of the shop personnal and crew change isnt working.He may not be the greatest racer around,but Atlanta and some tracks have been good to him,lots of problems in camp.

[Guest]

Even if Iam a Jr fan,after watching qualifing today, he just plain stinks. He is lucky he has his car left, because it looked terrible and thats being kind.

[Guest]

JRs car from last year at Atlanta looked pretty good with Waltrip in it.Dont think the team change has so far done him any good,might be a long year.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I was a huge Dale Sr fan, and now I'm kind of a Jr fan.

Maybe he should stop doing commercials and shows and pub stuff and concentrate on racing. When he actually becomes a winner he can do the shoe commercials. That is sarcastic, I know. I'm just wondering about his level of commitment.

[JohnMickish]

I wonder that myself. With all the commercials and the Busch team, and of course he has this image he has to uphold. Makes ya wonder??

[eyepatrol]

I wonder if the publicity stuff like commercials is done during the season or during the offseason? If it's during the offseason, I wouldn't think it would hurt too much.

Not exactly sure what they're doing over there at DEI. But, whatever it is, the problems they've had on the flatter cookie-cutter tracks have compounded this year, so far. From what I've heard on TV, they're way loose on one run, then way tight on the next. Don't know if they tried some different chassi configuations, but the car just doesn't seem to want to ride for him.

It isn't so bad to be off for the first few races because there can be large swings in point standings due to the lack of accumulated points, but they're going to have to do something soon or it will be very, very difficult to make up ground.

I'm a Gordon fan myself, but I'm also a Chevy man, and I'd like to see the Chevy's do well, whomever is driving them (mostly...okay, I'm not a big fan of the 20 car).

[lawdog]

Any of you watch wind tunnel last night? Truex was on and Dave Dispain asked him how good he expected to be NEXT YEAR as a Cup rookie. His response was essentially, "if we don't get our DEI cars better nobody will be any good in them." They obviously have major issues there!

[NAPAFISH]

I think he justs needs a little time to work with Pete. He has only had the Eurys, I think they will get it right eventually. Maybe it has to do with the large umbrellas that these other teams have ie Hendrick Roush they have so much input from so many different teams. Thats probably why they seem to be performing better.

[JohnMickish]

Remember, DEI is not some small one car team. They have three cup cars, at least two Busch cars and provide motors to a few others. I pesonally don't think they had a good enough handle on things to do such drastic changes. Their not totally lost, but getting close.

What do most owners do when they are not performing. First they fire/change crewchiefs. Next is the engineer. Then it's crewchief again then driver.

I don't like the guy (don't feel he paid enough dues) but they boy sure does fill the stands, which is both good and bad for the sport. I know I'll have more respect for the guy if he can dig himself out of this mess without whining or blaming others, and emerge with character and class.

I could totally be full of it to. This is just my opinion, and if I knew the answers I wouldn't be here.

[Uncle Bill]

Dale Jr. looks and drives like he's always sportin a major hangover.

I think he needs a jug of water and some rest.

[JohnMickish]

Quote:

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Dale Jr. looks and drives like he's always sportin a major hangover.

I think he needs a jug of water and some rest.

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I think we have found the problem!

[iffwalleyes]

Always interesting to hear everyones view. I thing that Jr. has paid his dues. He didn't just step into a Cup car first think he worked his way up just like most drivers. Might not have spent as many years as some on the dirt tracks. But what about Busch Bros. have they put there time in I don't think so they aren't old enough to have put in their dues. I will admit they are good drivers even though I can stand either of them.

[TNFL]

His car just can't go that fast when he's trailoring the #3 bandwagon. Or maybe the coat tails he's been riding are starting to wear down.

[peerchking]

what happend in vegas didn't stay in vegas!!

[JohnMickish]

Quote:

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His car just can't go that fast when he's trailoring the #3 bandwagon. Or maybe the coat tails he's been riding are starting to wear down.

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How would you like to try and live up to those expecations? No thanks.

[Guest]

Iam a huge Jr fan,and yes so far he has looked pretty slow.Given time DEI will rise to the top,its just tough watching him struggle like this,but then all teams have gone throught this.And yes,who would want to try and fill the #3 shoes,even if some dont care for him, he was a great racer and helped take Nascar were it is today.

[walleyeking#8]

I too am a huge Jr. fan. Why did jr. switch crews and crew chiefs? One reason I feel he did was to help Micheal Waltrip out. Jr. is a lot younger than Micheal and has many years to prove himself. I have noticed that Micheal has been doing much better on the tracks this year than he did on the same tracks last year. Dale Jr. has paid his dues. How would you feel losing your father only a couple years into your cup career. Did he not win two Busch championships. What puzzles me is, If one DEI car can do well, why cant the others? My prediction is when Jr does and he will, gets on a roll, lookout the great eight is going to move up into the top ten.

[Joe Harty]

Hang in there guys, he'll get it going. There may well be a ways to go before he hits bottom, then again he can turn it around quite quickly. I have alot of confidence in him, but it sure is painful to see him struggle like this. The Pied Piper will be back stronger than ever, just hurry up will ya !!

lakeman

[Cyberfish]

Junior runs good on short tracks.

[lawdog]

Quote:

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Junior runs good on short tracks.

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That's because the aero and the spoiler/tire package isn't as big there. I really think they are lost figuring out the new package and applying it to intermediate sized tracks which is the vast majority of NASCAR racing now...

[Double D]

He was the last interview on Sportscenter on ESPN last night. Jr basically blamed DEI for not keeping the right people and not keeping up with the necessary changes on tires and aero. Sure sounded disgusted, like a guy in his last year in that ride.

My personal opinion is we don't need to see Jr on every commercial break; that has to tkae a lot of time during the week. The guy really doesn't bother me but think about it - Enterprise, Domino's, Gilette, NAPA, and the list goes on of stuff he sells.

Just my .02.

DD