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Boil Tony Eury Jr in Oil
4/18/08: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
When will Rick Hendrick come to his senses? You surround yourself with Rolls Royce's and Ferraris yet in the back of the shop you keep this basic Chevy called Tony Eury Jr employed. This is no different than the Kentucky Derby trainer who keeps that old broken down racer in the barn because he calms down his champion horse. Dale Earnhardt Jr wants Tony Eury Jr around because he is family so Mr. Hendrick keeps Eury Jr employed it is just that simple! If it wasn't for growing up with Dale Earnhardt Jr Eury Jr probably couldn't get a job at the local Jiffy Lube! Certain members of Junior Nation can confess to me…were you starting to get all excited that someone finally spoke your language? If so then stop it right there! Get all those silly thoughts out of your brains and let some common sense in instead! Tony Eury Jr was brought to Hendrick Motorsports as Dale Earnhardt Jr's Crew Chief because he is one of the best in the business…no more or no less!
Team Chemistry
In addition to being one of the best in the business at setting up the cars, Tony Eury Jr has that chemistry with his driver that is needed to build a team. They know each other's strengths and weaknesses and can plan ahead. Is Tony Eury Jr the best at keeping up with the changes a track goes through during the race? No he is probably not as good at that as Chad Knaus. Is Tony Eury Jr the best at coming up with better ways to make his driver's car handle even better? No he is probably not as good at that as Greg Zipadelli. But guess what Junior Nation, that is pretty good company to keep! Those two Crew Chiefs also have a great chemistry with their driver and Tony Eury Jr shares that component too. Anyone who thinks team chemistry is bunk can look back at the sport in any era and see great Crew Chiefs linked up with great drivers with the resulting team struggling. Never discount team chemistry and Dale Earnhardt Jr and Tony Eury Jr have plenty of that!
Best in Points Not Enough
OK do you still have doubts about Tony Eury Jr? Eury Jr works for the best race team in the sport over the last several seasons and the team with Tony turning the wrenches is off to the best start of those teams. His fellow Crew Chiefs have had at least one bad race each. Chad Knaus tried some setups that didn't agree with his driver on the mile and a half tracks this year. Steve Letarte missed the setup big time at Texas and his driver struggled. Meanwhile Mr. Consistency Tony Eury Jr has helped his driver stay at the top of the speed charts each and every week! The only race his driver Dale Earnhardt Jr finished outside of the top 12 was at California Speedway when the weeping track took them out. Each and every week you hear some Earnhardt Jr fans whine about Tony Eury Jr! Enough already this guy is one of the best in the business and the results prove it.
Before You Give Me a History Lesson
Oh I hear you talking about last year and how Dale Earnhardt Jr missed the Chase for the Championship and how it was all Tony Eury Jr's fault. Last season that No. 8 car only failed to finish in the top 20 once when it was damaged or having its engine go up in smoke! Consistency is what NASCAR racing is all about. Put a consistent car on the track every week and it will race up front. Race up front and you will post top tens. Post those top tens and you will find yourself in the top three. Eventually if you are running in the top three everything falls into place and you win races and maybe a Championship. Tony Eury Jr did his part last season putting consistently good racecars under Dale Earnhardt Jr. You can't blame Tony Eury Jr for every step motor that went up in smoke!
Dale Junior Doesn't Need a Whipping Boy
Do you really think Dale Earnhardt Jr's only reason for bringing Tony Eury Jr to Hendrick Motorsports was out of some sense of loyalty and kindness? That might be the reason you hire someone to drive your motor coach but not to Crew Chief you car! Rick Hendrick didn't win seven Winston/Nextel Cup Championships because he plays favorites. Hendrick wins because he puts the best people together and gives them all the tools they need to win! Is Tony Eury Jr the first guy you would call for a Crew Chief if everyone became a free agent at the same time? No I wouldn't even argue you on that point! But I can tell you for a fact that every owner in the sport would have Tony Eury Jr's name on their short list if they were looking for a talented Crew Chief they could trust to be a good team player! Dale Earnhardt Jr doesn't need a whipping boy and it is about time those vocal fanatics in Junior Nation that love to beat on Tony Eury Jr every week learn to chill out and lay off.
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