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When I learned yesterday that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. decided to race for Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 I was at first a bit surprised. But shortly thereafter I started to chuckle, thinking this news is going to really rile up many of Dale Jr's hard-core fans. Afterall, Hendrick's drivers include both Jeff Gordon and Jimmy Johnson, who are typically reviled by Junior's fanatic fans. When drivers are introduced at most tracks in the south, the loudest jeers are reserved for Gordon and Johnson. Mostly, because they usually win races, and Junior doesn't. Envy, plain and simple. Now that Junior will become part of their team next year, it's going to be interesting to see how his die-hard fans adapt by bringing the "enemy" into their camp.
Makes great sense for Earnhardt to make this move in my opinion. He wants to win the championship, so why not give yourself the best opportunity to do that, by joining up with the best team, so as to have the best support around. Sure, he's going to be under tremendous pressure to win, once he has such support. If, for example, he does not win, he can't blame it on not having a good car, high tech engineering support, or the best pit crew. It's all going to be on his ability to take the top notch support given to him and make it work, by his ability to drive a fast race car and win.
I also think that by joining with Hendrick, he's going to have a wonderful mentor in the form of Rick Hendrick, the team owner. Additionally, by being around Jeff Gordon a lot more, Junior will be able to learn from a person who was a fierce competitor with his father, but was also someone whom Dale, Sr. respected for his driving ability. Like Gordon or not, you have to admit he's very good at what he does.
Now we sit back and watch with interest how the car numbering and sponsorship for Dale, Jr. will work out with the new team. Will he retain the number 8 Budweiser car for example, or will he be in the 5 Kellogg car. Going from "Bud" man to "cereal" man will be quite a leap, especially for Junior's fanatic fans out there in NASCAR land.
