Dale Jr. Opens Mouth, But Why?
After the fourth of sixteen scheduled CORN events it’s readily apparent Dale Earnhardt Jr. is camping unhappy.
“It’s going to take some time to figure it out, but right now it’s about the most frustrating thing I’ve had to deal with in this sport, and I’ve had to deal with some pretty frustrating things,” Earnhardt said Monday.
“Everyone is struggling with getting the cars to turn. Even when you’re running in second or third position, you’re just the best of the worst cars out there,” Earnhardt said. “Nobody’s cars were that fun to drive. You’re just trying to be the guy with the least amount of problems when it comes to handling and that seems to get you toward the front.”
More frustrating than missing the Chase in 2005 Junior? Somehow I doubt that.
Anyway, lets’ roll the tape: In 4 CORN events Junior’s finished in 7th, 5th, 19th and 13th for an average finish of 11th.
In non-CORN races he’s had finishes of 32nd (crash), 40th (engine), 11th, 14th, 36th (engine) and 7th. Junior’s average finish is 23.3 overall but without the toasted engines and the crash at Daytona the average is 10.6.
I don’t know how to break this to ya Junior but by position your finishing only 4/10ths of a spot difference when steering a “stalk of CORN.”
I have to ask, isn’t it normal to have the guy with the least amount of handling problems always near or at the front of the race?
Junior readily admits part of the problem, “they’ve got a lot of resources [Hendrick Motorsports]. “They’ve got a great company, two, three really good cars every week, great crew chiefs,” yet he’s trying to connive NASCAR into making changes to even up the competition.
When Tony Stewart went on his WWE rant he was basically told to shut-up and drive, I’ll repeat that here. I understand his frustration and desire to do better, I also realize when the CORN is sold with a secondary mission of evening things up between teams and you bought into that line horse hockey shame on you, it’s time to just shut-up and drive.
As far as taking some time to figuring out handling characteristics of the CORN Greg Biffle has the answer for that as well: “They say that Hendrick’s had almost 100 days of testing in the COT car … we’ve [Roush-Fenway] spent nine days testing,” Biffle said.
If what “they” say is true it goes a long way to explain the current state of competition. It’s an established fact Jack in the Hat baulked at the CORN program and missed more than a few of the scheduled tests.
(EDIT: Hendrick officials say they’ve tested the car only 25 to 30 days. Even at that number it’s approx three times what Biffle claims Roush-Fenway has done)
And I damn sure haven’t seen any press reports of DEI testing their version of the CORN at Iowa, Kentucky or a couple other tracks the testing rules don’t apply to.
It’s time to get with the program, do the extra testing required to catch up with Hendrick Motorsports and stop whining!
UPDATE: Ahem… “Sorry, Junior, but the Car Of Tomorrow didn
They all do the whining to some extent, but you’ve made a good point and less not forget jeffyboy’s ranting about how much he hated the CORN oh and Shrubs too.
Ah, but “Jeffyboy” went out and practiced with the car. Kyle Busch ranted about it and said so, but still, he practices. “Jeffyboy” - uh, he’s 35, married, about to be a father. Any chance of calling him Jeff?
And most people call Dale Jr who is 30 plus years of age, Junior.
So what’s your point Linda?
As Michael noted, and I agree, almost all the drivers have complained long and loudly about the CORN. The only possible exception would be Jeff Burton who has been fairly moderate in his comments.
It’s also obvious Jeffy and his teammates are far ahead in both testing and actual competition. If the rest hope to catch up they will need to spend the bucks to test at every opportunity.
If they don’t well… it just sucks to be them.
Maybe I misunderstood the use of Jeffyboy. Most people use it in a perjorative manner. It just gets a little old. Comparing the use of Jr to Jeffyboy is like apples and oranges. No comment needed there. If I misunderstood (or didn’t) your use of Jeffyboy, I apologize. It’s just semantics, afterall….with a little extra thrown in.
These drivers need to realize that the COT is just different. Get Over it!
Affirmation form the Red Green Show:
Linda:
“Most people use it in a perjorative manner.”
That’s probably true and it is ever so slightly here but with full recognition of his accomplishments. not to mention by all indications may well be on his way to another championship.
I would say the vast majority use Jeffy or Jeffyboy do so as a reaction to his “personna” (i.e. built by media tripe like Golden Boy labels etc) than a reaction to his “personality.”
Setting aside the bottle tossing lunatics of course.
Jeff, Jeffy, Jeffyboy, Goldenboy, Wonderboy, Ironboy, Big Daddy, Rainbow Warrior, add infinium….but he is one of the greatest NASCAR drivers ever
When discussing Mr. Gordon around my TV in the not too distant past he’s been called a LOT worse than Jeffyboy, usually focusing on his alleged sexual orientation.
Thank goodness that has faded, and we can dislike or like him for track actions only! At least in my house.