KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. has given a formal endorsement for crew chief Lance McGrew.
He’s just not sure if that carries any weight.
Earnhardt will start a season-best second in today’s race at Kansas Speedway, his 16th race with McGrew calling the shots for his underachieving Hendrick Motorsports team. Although there’s been few tangible results since McGrew replaced longtime crew chief Tony Eury Jr. in late May, Earnhardt is pleased with their progress and wants McGrew back next season.
“I like working with Lance. I get along great with Lance,” Earnhardt said. “We have had some great runs and I feel like I can build on that type of success.
“I hope that we’re successful the rest of the year and that we go into next season with the same group of guys. But the decision isn’t mine, and never will be mine.”
The decision will ultimately be made by team owner Rick Hendrick, who put McGrew in the job when Earnhardt’s season was spiraling out of control. Coming off five finishes of 20th or worse in six races, Hendrick made the difficult decision to separate Earnhardt and Eury, cousins who had worked together for Earnhardt’s entire NASCAR career.
McGrew guided Earnhardt to a 12th-place finish in the debut race at Dover, although there’s been just two top-10 runs since their pairing. Even though the record books don’t reflect it, Earnhardt’s performance has improved since he started racing cars built by McGrew.
Earnhardt heads into today’s race only 22nd in the standings with just five top-10 finishes all year. He’s also stuck in a 57-race winless streak dating to Michigan in 2008.
But Earnhardt thinks Mc-Grew is the key to brighter days for the No. 88 team.
“I feel like I’m a different race car driver than I’ve been over the last several years, just my temperament and my disposition throughout the races and the weekend,” he said. “I still have to check myself every once in a while — I get a little angry, but just during practice and stuff when something you do to these cars can frustrate you. But for the most part, I’ve enjoyed the experience working with him.”
Today’s races
NASCAR SPRINT CUP Price Chopper 400
Site: Kansas City, Kan.
TV: KMGH-7, noon
Track: Kansas Speedway (oval, 1.5 miles)
Race distance: 400 miles, 267 laps
Next race: Pepsi 500, Oct. 11, Auto Club Speedway; Fontana, Calif.
On the Net: www.nascar.com
Points standings
1. Mark Martin, 5,400
2. Jimmie Johnson, 5,390
3. Juan Pablo Montoya, 5,335
4. Kurt Busch, 5,325
5. Tony Stewart, 5,294
6. Denny Hamlin, 5,292
7. Ryan Newman, 5,290
8. Jeff Gordon, 5,278
9. Greg Biffle, 5,262
10. Brian Vickers, 5,249
11. Carl Edwards, 5,247
12. Kasey Kahne, 5,211
FORMULA ONE Japanese Grand Prix Site: Omaya, Japan
TV: Speed Channel, 8 p.m. (tape)
Track: Fuji Speedway (road course, 3.61 miles)
Race distance: 191.12 miles, 53 laps
Next race: Brazilian Grand Prix, Oct. 18, Interlagos; São Paulo
On the Net: www.formula1.com
NHRA O’Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals
Site: Memphis, Tenn.
TV: ESPN2, 5 p.m. (tape)
Track: Memphis Motorsports Park
Next race: Virginia NHRA Nationals, Oct. 9-11, Virginia Motorsports Park; Richmond, Va.
On the Net: www.nhra.com
