What is Helium

Should NASCAR sensation Dale Earnhardt Jr. join Nemesis?

Results so far:

No		42%	26 votes	Total: 62 votes
Yes		58%	36 votes	Total: 62 votes

No

1 of 2

Dale Earnhardt Junior announced that he was leaving DEI, claiming that he wanted a chance to win championships. For some fans, that explains why he chose to join Hendrick Motor Sports, but that was not the right choice. Let's examine the facts.

1) Jeff Gordon made the Chase 2 of the 3 years since it began, missing last year alongside his soon to be teammate Dale Jr. This year he has clinched his spot in the Chase, picked up 4 wins, and had his crew chief suspended for infractions.

2) Jimmie Johnson is the defending Champion. He has made the Chase every year, won 4 races this year, and also had his crew chief suspended for rules infractions.

3) Casey Mears. Picked up his first win in the Coke 600 this year, but has no chance of making it in the Chase.

4) Kyle Busch, the future Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, won the first Car of Tomorrow race, made the Chase last year, looks to be part of the Chase this year, and is a Rookie of the Year.

Why does Junior think this team is going to bring him to glory? Some argue that Casey Mears is a phenomenal racer, but he has yet to show it. Kyle Busch is good, but has been replaced. That leaves Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, two fantastic drivers that can put a 20th place car in Victory Lane.

Dale Junior is not going to be given the benefit of the doubt next year. He will not have the same chances that other drivers have when they switch teams; after his actions, he will have to instantly begin winning races, or face questions from fans, second guessing his decision.

Will Hendrick truly be able to help him? They have won 10 races this season alone, but 8 of those came from the same 2 drivers. Is their even "room in the stable" as owner Rick Hendrick so eloquently phrased it just a few short months ago?

Dale Junior is moving to a team where he will be their third tier driver, not in terms of popularity, but rather in terms of talent. No matter what he does, he will have difficulties in matching the abilities of Gordon and Johnson.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Eblin.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Yes

1 of 4

by Kandice Crabtree

Yes! Besides Junior being in better equipment, with a hands on boss - he will have everything he needs. Most importantly he'll have that hunger for being wanted and appreciated fulfilled.

Since the early 80's when his father married Teresa (DEI's current owner) their relationship has been rocky. Add to that the death of his father, her husband, and the family slowly fell apart.

Driving for Hendrick will give Junior the frest start he needs. More room to grow as a driver, an owner and business man. Hendrick Motor Sports has (and as much as this pains me to say) ALWAYS risen above everyone else. Meanwhile, over the past seven years Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated and Teresa Earnhardt have been under undeniable scrutiny, and rightfully so.

The two time Busch Champion has expressed his overwhelming desire to win more races and eventually take home that elusive Nextel Cup Championship trophy. With Mr. Hendrick and his top tier teams giving Junior everything he needs to succeed, why would he watch this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity pass him by?

On that note - who would let the four-time most popular driving in NASCAR and arguably the biggest icon in this sport slip through their fingers?

As a faithful follower of Dale Jr, I believe it will be a great ride and I'll be there cheering him on each and every race day.

Learn more about this author, Kandice Crabtree.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.