Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick isn't anticipating any changes atop his No. 88 team's pit box.
Hendrick said Saturday afternoon that his plan is to keep crew chief Lance McGrew and Dale Earnhardt Jr. paired together heading into the Chase and beyond.
"We make decisions as things develop during the season and at the end of the season, and right now we've got a game plan and we're sticking to it," Hendrick told a group of reporters. "... Our plan is for those two guys to be together."
McGrew has come under fire from Earnhardt Jr. fans eager to place blame for the source of their driver's struggles, which will result in him missing the Chase for the second straight season.
Some fans who listen to the radio chatter between Earnhardt Jr. and McGrew believe the driver-crew chief relationship isn't healthy based on sometimes acrimonious back-and-forth.
But Hendrick said he feels the two are getting along just fine based on what he's seen behind the scenes.
"I'm actually pretty happy with the chemistry there now," he said. "Maybe some of you guys don't agree. But I'm around them in the shop every week, I'm in the Tuesday (debrief) meetings, I talk to Dale and I talk to Lance and I've talked to them both after they've been testing."
Earnhardt Jr. agreed with the team owner.
"No, I don't think that's something we need to be discussing at this point," he said of a possible change. "... I'd rather stay out of that argument, myself. It's never a fun situation. I like working with Lance."
Earnhardt Jr. said the chemistry with his crew chief is "good," but acknowledged the team needs to improve its performance.
"We need to start producing some speed really quickly," he said. "...We've been testing trying to get better for Richmond and a couple other places coming up."
Hendrick categorized a possible crew chief change as unwise at a time when the entire organization isn't up to speed and the problem can't be pinned on a single individual.
"If you miss the Chase and just decide that you're going to change something just to change it, then I think that's a mistake," he said. "I've never tried to do that. I keep my options open, but at the same time, if the driver and the crew chief are getting along and they're working together and they're trying, that's all I can ask for."
Hendrick said his four teams are trying very different setups this weekend in an attempt to hit on something for the Chase (only two of his four cars – Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson – will likely make NASCAR's playoff this year).
The owner said he wanted to be winning races and dominating again, but the lack of results showed how competitive NASCAR is.
"We're not happy with where we are as an organization, but we're working on it," he said. "Nobody's blaming anybody and nobody's giving up."
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Rick Hendrick Plans On Keeping Dale Earnhardt Jr., Lance McGrew Together
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Well, all I wanted as a Jr. fan was to know what the plan was. Now, I know what will happen.
by NASCARfan_Travis on Sep 4, 2010 6:09 PM EDT reply actions
At least we know where RIck stands
too bad it isnt behind his driver.
Would be nice to have a quality experienced crew chief instead of a R&D guy who’s used to collecting data and analyzing it over time. Doesnt happen that way in the races.
With Martin also struggling it would have been a perfect time to bring over Kahne’s crew chief, pair him with Martin and move Alan Gustafson to Jr. Then after next year Kasey could be paired again with his current crew chief. Instead Hendrick will allow yet another experienced crew chief go to another team (Pat Tryson, Kenny Francis, Tony Gibson, and Darian Grubb to name a few.
Hate to think where the 88 team would be had Rick not been so supportive…keep telling us that Rick…maybe we’ll be dumb enough to believe it. One engineer move from the 5 team is hardly what I consider going all out…
by Bobbie1231 on Sep 4, 2010 7:37 PM EDT reply actions
can't get him a top crew chief, then what would the excuse be for poor performance?
Even wit the best cars in the sport, I am glad we can still put JR’s poor racing on the crew chief.
"Sorry bro, he Jason Bourned me"- Drama
by BL3ACH on Sep 5, 2010 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I could say the same thing about Matt Kenseth, he’s gone through as many crew chiefs as Jr…
by Jr_Fan on Sep 5, 2010 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Rick is afraid of Jr. being competition for JJ.
“Next week, going into the Chase and into the Chase our plan is for those two guys to be together.” …to be the R&D car. Have you ever heard of the 25/88 R&D car running competitively for the championship…?
“If you miss the Chase and you just decide you’re gonna change something just to be changing it I think that’s a mistake,” Hendrick said. …just to be changing it…? How about they missed the chase, again & are 18th in points. As if he has no concept that racing is suppose to be about winning…?
Jr. is, once again, the HMS car that is looking for speed…not set-up…but speed!
@ Bobbie, You said it very well! :) He hired Jr. to keep him from being real competition for JJ & he has no intention of helping him to be competitive. In the common vernacular it is called being ‘chicken’.
“Indianapolis Preview: Dale Earnhardt Jr. INDIANAPOLIS CHASSIS: Crew chief Lance McGrew and the No. 88 team will unload Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 88-612. This is a new chassis that has not been raced or tested.
Atlanta Preview: Dale Earnhardt Jr. ATLANTA CHASSIS: Crew chief Lance McGrew and the No. 88 engineers will unload Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 88-612. This is a brand new chassis that has not been raced.”
These are both official HMS preview statments. They can’t both be true. If it is the 88-612 chassis, then it was wrecked by JPM at the end of the Indy race. Does anyone know what is really going on…?
by 1123marybeth on Sep 4, 2010 8:09 PM EDT reply actions
LOL
Wow So he signed him because he is afraid of him….I am not a HMS fan what so ever but lets call this what it is. At DEI he had an excuse, a lot of team mishaps, engines blowing up piut road mistakes ect ect He is suppost to have the best equipment in the sport and now its something else.
JR is good for this dying sport but lets not pretend this is some big conspiracy here. JR is doing the best he can, he is just not that good. I listen to what the drivers think they know who is good and who is not. From all I gather JR is just not good enough to win plain and simple.
I always thought it was a mistake for him to go to HMS because JR nation would sleep better at night knowing that if he had better equipment he would win more. We don’t have that cop out anymore. I have never knew JR to be a quiet reserved guy. He is the most popular driver in the sport, if he thought a crew cheif was keeping him from getting Wins, JR would be screaming such from the top of roof tops. He must know that not finding speed is on him.
Look at Mark Martin came to HMS and had one of his best years ever last year. I don’t like Jeff Gordon more then anyone else, but atleast I can admit he is one of the best drivers to ever race in the sport. Maybe you guys should come to terms with the FACT that JR is just not that good, I am sorry.
"Sorry bro, he Jason Bourned me"- Drama
by BL3ACH on Sep 5, 2010 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Hendick is scum thats all I got to say, he was supposed to go all out to turn the 88 around all he did was give Jr a lousy R&D guy for a crew chief and swapped 1 engineer with the 5 team, whoop de do!!!
by Jr_Fan on Sep 5, 2010 9:07 PM EDT reply actions
What an awsome finish good job McGrew!!! 22 last on the lead lap, he would have finished lower if Harvick hadnt blew a tire, Newman had’t wrecked Biffle and Kahne and if Hamins engine hadn’t expired. The team is a joke, and what angers me more is instead of going to Jr or Martin or even Gordon to an extent to find out wtf happened he was in victory lane with Tony!!!
by Jr_Fan on Sep 5, 2010 11:56 PM EDT reply actions
Atlanta slowing
@ Bleach, “Look at Mark Martin came to HMS and had one of his best years ever last year.” Mark finished 21st tonight to Jr.’s 23rd. He was 10th on lap 274 and then he had to pit. I always wonder what they are going to do to his car to slow him down on the last few stops…? I am making a game out of it. I figure Mark is being because slowed down because he did not step aside out of the 5 car for KK next year.
by 1123marybeth on Sep 6, 2010 12:27 AM EDT reply actions
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