Rick Hendrick says no decision has been made on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s crew chief for next year, but he remains happy with the way the Hendrick Motorsports team is going and also said it is normal for a driver to be frustrated when he’s not getting the results he wants.
Earnhardt Jr., who qualified 39th for the NASCAR Banking 500 tonight at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, talked about his frustrations Friday.
“There has never been a driver that I can remember at Hendrick Motorsports that hasn’t felt that way,” Hendrick said just prior to the race Saturday night. “They maybe didn’t say it, but they all go through it, they all get frustrated and how you respond is what counts. … I’m kind of happy he was upset.
“I get that way. I just don’t say it. What I admire a lot about Junior is he says what he thinks and he says what he feels. He’s disappointed and frustrated.”
Hendrick said it was decided this week to wait at least another two weeks before making a decision on whether Lance McGrew would remain as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s crew chief. McGrew replaced Tony Eury Jr. as crew chief in late May and Earnhardt Jr.’s finishes have not gotten better as he has dropped from 19th to 22nd in the points.
Hendrick said he has seen Earnhardt Jr. have days where he could finish in the top five only to have something happen where he doesn't.
“I’ve been real pleased with the way the car has been running – we just can’t get a break,” Hendrick said. “It’s frustrating for all of us. If we were going south, I would be super concerned. … They definitely have turned the corner.
“Qualifying is a disappointment here. But that’s one lap and all I can look for in a team is we’re getting better rather than backing up, and we’re getting better. This is a hard deal. Sometimes when you start doing good and then you have a problem, it’s worse than if you were just steady Eddie.”
Just as he went as long as he could before replacing Eury Jr., Hendrick said he is more willing to see Earnhardt Jr. and McGrew work through any issues they might have.
“My philosophy has always been if you can fix something rather than start all over, then I’d rather fix it,” Hendrick said. “When I see the car as the best car out there in my group in two or three races and have crappy luck, it’s almost like, ‘Hey, let’s focus on the little things that can make us better.’”
