Nearly every week, anyone who scans Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s team radio can eavesdrop on a not-so-pleasant conversation between NASCAR's most popular driver and his crew chief, Lance McGrew.
When things aren't going right during a race, the duo often snaps at one another and the conversations can sometimes sound – at least to outsiders – like an all-out fight.
But Earnhardt Jr. said on Friday that his radio exchanges with McGrew sound worse than they really are.
"I have a hard time biting my tongue and always want the last word and all that good stuff," said Earnhardt Jr., who is mild-mannered outside of the car. "And I'm in 120-degree hot car and at the moment I feel like I'm doing the majority of the work. And right or wrong, I'm just saying that's how you feel, whether it's right or wrong."
Earnhardt Jr. said he and McGrew have improved their communication the longer they work together, adding that their working relationship has "survived" a recent rough stretch on the track.
"I like holding him accountable," Earnhardt Jr. said. "And I want him to do the same to me. I like getting that same pressure. I want him to ask me, 'What was the deal right there? Why did you do that? Why did you make that decision?'
"It makes me a better driver when I put myself in a situation to think the process out and figure out if there was a better way to do it or a better decision to make. I don't like arguing too much but when you're in a hot race car and you're not leading the race by half a lap, you're going to argue. You're not going to be happy until you're just dominating and dominating."
But does it have any residual effect on their relationship? Does Earnhardt Jr. stay mad at McGrew after the race is over?
"I don't even remember what I've done or said after a race," he said. "For some reason you're so plugged into hitting the corner and you forget about any exchange over the last caution, whether it was good or bad or whatever."
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Radio Chatter With McGrew Sounds Worse Than It Is
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I'm a Jr fan
but I’m at the point right now where I am not sure what the team needs right now. I don’t think anyone really knows. I am still a huge Dale Jr fan and I will continue to support him no matter what.
by NASCARfan_Travis on Aug 14, 2010 11:39 AM EDT reply actions
I listen to the in-car audio each week. Lance is usually the one who wants the last word, and it’s usually a very smartass remark. Jr as always takes the blame on himself.
by factfinder on Aug 14, 2010 12:47 PM EDT reply actions
R&D-ing...?
“Dale Earnhardt Jr. pinning hopes on familiar car at Michigan” JJ is pinning his hopes on his new 2nd generation car and Jr. is pinning his on his 2 year old car. Too bad Rick doesn’t have enough money to field 4 2nd generation cars. The announcers said that all of the HMS cars have the new engine today. That some of the cars had used the new engine before. That would explain why Jr.’s engine blew in Pocono, & it was never mentioned in the official recap of his race. I wonder that are R&Di-ng on his car today…?
by 1123marybeth on Aug 15, 2010 2:55 PM EDT reply actions
Sound familiar?
This article sounds very familiar to one that might have been written during the Eury (Sr & Jr) crew chief days. Their radio chatter was very heated at times too.
I don’t think the radio chatter is anything to worry about. Junior tells it like it is outside of a racecar so it doesn’t surprise me he would be candid and very vocal when things aren’t right inside the racecar (and things haven’t been right inside the racecar very often).
by hogfan1980 on Aug 16, 2010 10:37 AM EDT reply actions
You know what I feel bad for Jr so what he gets salty on the radio I mean if I were running in second hand stuff compared to the 24 and 48 and not doing well I would be the same way. That said, this is the problem, people are reading into this and it is really creating drama thats not really there. I bet he would be just as upset about sutff even if he were running in the top 5. Smoke, KyBusch, Gordon, and even his dad(back in the day) do this but some how its a massive deal when its Jr. Just more stuff that he has to answer that he really shouldn’t have to in the first place.
Now about running bad thats a seperate issue and the more it keeps happening the more I think its his equipment, than the driver. Jr is still a good driver a very good in fact, just not on the level of say Stewart, but not a bum or average. How can the 88 and 5 run so off the pace and not be equipment related?
by Len_DiJoseph on Aug 16, 2010 8:25 PM EDT reply actions
I agree
I think the radio chatter and the performance are two different things. I think Jr will always speak his mind on the radio and there’s nothing wrong with that.
I think the 88 and 5 team will go through some crew chief changes soon. I have heard that Kenny Francis( Kahne’s current crew chief) may go over to HMS next year to be the crew chief of the 5 car to get ready for 2012. That would move Alan Gustafson to Jr since Alan has a multi-year deal with HMS. That would take Lance out(he would probably go back to R&D). All the HMS crew chiefs have a contract with HMS for a few more years except for Lance. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a crew chief swap with the two teams this year if they both miss the Chase. This would also reunite Alan with Chris Heroy, who was moved from the 5 team over the offseason.
All off these things are just some stuff that I have heard. They are just rumors. But I gotta say, it does make sense.
by NASCARfan_Travis on Aug 16, 2010 10:41 PM EDT reply actions
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