Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Right) and crew chief Lance McGrew (Left) have struggled together. (Photo: Getty Images)

Though the next three races – Bristol, Atlanta and Richmond – are all at good tracks for him, the chances of him rallying to make the Chase are slim.

And the way he has run this season – just 68 laps led and an average finish of 17th – it’s hard to imagine him winning a race.

If he doesn’t make it again and doesn’t win a race before the season is over, what hope is there entering 2011 and beyond?

So what does Hendrick do now?

He made a crew chief change on Earnhardt Jr.’s team last year, replacing Tony Eury Jr. – Junior’s cousin – with longtime Hendrick crew chief Lance McGrew.

Earnhardt Jr. and McGrew began working together in May of last year, but made little progress the rest of the season.

Hendrick gave them another chance this season, but again, the progress has been minimal. They looked like they were improving earlier this year, but, following the pattern of the last three years, just when things seem to be getting better, they take another turn for the worse.

One of Hendrick’s primary goals this season was to turn around the No. 88 team, get Earnhardt Jr. back to victory lane and, hopefully, back into the Chase.

It hasn’t happened.

So what is Hendrick’s next move?

Does he make another crew chief change?

Does he perhaps give Earnhardt Jr. Alan Gustafson, Martin’s current crew chief?

That wouldn’t be fair to Martin, but he’s leaving after next season anyway. And Martin, the consummate professional and team player, has proved over the years that he can win with just about any crew chief.

Is there another young, up-and-coming crew chief in the Hendrick stable that might be able to provide the secret ingredient? Or does he go outside the organization, looking for an old-school crew chief that might better fit Earnhardt Jr.’s style?

Earnhardt Jr.’s mysterious struggles must be troubling to Hendrick, who recruited Earnhardt Jr. to join his organization and put together a lucrative sponsorship package for him.

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Though Hendrick has won 188 Cup races and nine championships, he has had teams that struggled before. In fact, he almost always has at least one team that struggles.

But it’s different when it’s the sport’s most popular driver, one with 18 career victories, a famous last name and millions of dollars worth of sponsorship.

So how does Hendrick solve this problem?

And how long does he keep trying?

Earnhardt Jr. is in the third year of a five-year contract. Does Hendrick ride it out for the full five years, giving Earnhardt Jr. more rope and more chances than he would give another driver?

And when does Earnhardt Jr. get fed up, growing tired of the pressure and constant struggles and deciding to move on to a less stressful environment.

Hendrick a master problem-solver, but time is running out. And this one might take his best work.

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