Comments on: Dale Jr’s Attitude To Blame For Struggles http://lead-lap.com/2009/08/04/dale-jrs-attitude-to-blame-for-struggles/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:51:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: The Lead Lap | Team May Not Be, But Dale Jr Turning Corner http://lead-lap.com/2009/08/04/dale-jrs-attitude-to-blame-for-struggles/comment-page-1/#comment-4007 The Lead Lap | Team May Not Be, But Dale Jr Turning Corner Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:17:46 +0000 http://lead-lap.mikejsmith.net/?p=1766#comment-4007 [...] writes just for clicks (and we all know Dale Jr stories get clicks). But a while ago I pointed out Dale Jr’s attitude problems on the radio and wouldn’t be doing my job as a responsible journalist (or this blog justice) if I didn’t [...] [...] writes just for clicks (and we all know Dale Jr stories get clicks). But a while ago I pointed out Dale Jr’s attitude problems on the radio and wouldn’t be doing my job as a responsible journalist (or this blog justice) if I didn’t [...]

]]> By: The Lead Lap | McGrew’s Words Did Not Lead To Dale Jr’s Rally http://lead-lap.com/2009/08/04/dale-jrs-attitude-to-blame-for-struggles/comment-page-1/#comment-3996 The Lead Lap | McGrew’s Words Did Not Lead To Dale Jr’s Rally Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:53:54 +0000 http://lead-lap.mikejsmith.net/?p=1766#comment-3996 [...] year at Pocono, Earnhardt Jr was complaining on the radio about everything from the COT’s lack of down force to [...] [...] year at Pocono, Earnhardt Jr was complaining on the radio about everything from the COT’s lack of down force to [...]

]]> By: freakyfast http://lead-lap.com/2009/08/04/dale-jrs-attitude-to-blame-for-struggles/comment-page-1/#comment-2492 freakyfast Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:53:07 +0000 http://lead-lap.mikejsmith.net/?p=1766#comment-2492 Nice insight into Earnhardt's lack of performance. I think up until a few years ago he was getting enough out of life with all of the attention and perks that one gets from just being a celebrity. A few years ago I saw a great thing happen. I began to see him want more. No longer was Dale interested in just the stardom. He began wanting to live up to the Earnhardt name, and not just that but he wanted to win himself. The drive for success at the top level kicked in. I think Dale is going through a natural cycle of maturity. With all of the distractions that he has had in his life he might be a little farther behind than some at this point but I see the fire there that, if he pulls himself together, could take him to the top. I believe that he has the ability. The next step is to figure out the mindset that will work for him in order to keep himself in a place mentally where he can communicate well with the team. Being a driver for Rick Hendrick would have to be the best place in the world for this to happen. Rick Hendrick knows how to bring the best out of people. This is the best thing that could have happened to Dale. It's going to be fun watching him,as I believe will happen, transform into a great driver. Nice insight into Earnhardt’s lack of performance. I think up until a few years ago he was getting enough out of life with all of the attention and perks that one gets from just being a celebrity.
A few years ago I saw a great thing happen. I began to see him want more. No longer was Dale interested in just the stardom. He began wanting to live up to the Earnhardt name, and not just that but he wanted to win himself. The drive for success at the top level kicked in.
I think Dale is going through a natural cycle of maturity. With all of the distractions that he has had in his life he might be a little farther behind than some at this point but I see the fire there that, if he pulls himself together, could take him to the top.
I believe that he has the ability. The next step is to figure out the mindset that will work for him in order to keep himself in a place mentally where he can communicate well with the team. Being a driver for Rick Hendrick would have to be the best place in the world for this to happen. Rick Hendrick knows how to bring the best out of people. This is the best thing that could have happened to Dale.
It’s going to be fun watching him,as I believe will happen, transform into a great driver.

]]> By: Lead Lap http://lead-lap.com/2009/08/04/dale-jrs-attitude-to-blame-for-struggles/comment-page-1/#comment-2465 Lead Lap Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:25:01 +0000 http://lead-lap.mikejsmith.net/?p=1766#comment-2465 Thanks for the comment Speedway Guide. I'm sorry I missed it until day. It must have slipped through the cracks. I don't think Dale Jr is having fun driving a race car anymore. But, I think that has more to do with struggling than anything else. It's not fun when you're performing poorly, and it's less fun when your last name is Earnhardt and you're the most popular driver with the largest fanbase. He has won over the last six years, and he was a contender last season until late in the season, so I'm not entirely sure what change he made six years ago that you're referring to. Still, you're absolutely right. He's not having fun anymore, at least during the races. I think he'll thoroughly enjoy the time away during the offseason. He'll relax, get refreshed and will come back next year looking to make a fresh start. Having some time off, combined with gaining more experience with Lance McGrew during the offseason will help him rebound in 2010. I still don't think he's championship material yet, but I think he'll win a couple of races next season, and will make the Chase. Thanks for the comment Speedway Guide.

I’m sorry I missed it until day. It must have slipped through the cracks.

I don’t think Dale Jr is having fun driving a race car anymore. But, I think that has more to do with struggling than anything else.

It’s not fun when you’re performing poorly, and it’s less fun when your last name is Earnhardt and you’re the most popular driver with the largest fanbase.

He has won over the last six years, and he was a contender last season until late in the season, so I’m not entirely sure what change he made six years ago that you’re referring to.

Still, you’re absolutely right. He’s not having fun anymore, at least during the races.

I think he’ll thoroughly enjoy the time away during the offseason. He’ll relax, get refreshed and will come back next year looking to make a fresh start. Having some time off, combined with gaining more experience with Lance McGrew during the offseason will help him rebound in 2010. I still don’t think he’s championship material yet, but I think he’ll win a couple of races next season, and will make the Chase.

]]> By: Lead Lap http://lead-lap.com/2009/08/04/dale-jrs-attitude-to-blame-for-struggles/comment-page-1/#comment-2464 Lead Lap Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:15:15 +0000 http://lead-lap.mikejsmith.net/?p=1766#comment-2464 Thanks for the comment, Richard. I never said that I blame him for his attitude. If he wasn't so passionate about winning and performing well, then he wouldn't get so heated in the car when it isn't performing up to standards. That said, when he gets mad, he stops communicating, which is far worse than any ill-handling car. His teammates run out front because they know how to improve the car. Listen to Gordon, Martin, and Johnson over the radio. While they do sometimes lose their tempers, they never stop telling the crew chief what the car is doing and what they think might fix it. Dale Jr doesn't do this when he gets upset. Since writing this posting, Dale Jr has improved his communication in the car. But he still needs to work on his it if he ever hopes to win a championship. I also don't buy that Hendrick Motorsports is giving him subpar equipment. He's received extra attention in getting the car prepared for races, but ultimately, how you keep up with the track is what determines how well you perform. At this point, the breakdown in communication results in taking swings at the car with varying degrees of success. A lot of the time, however, those swings miss and Dale Jr doesn't finish well. This isn't an equipment problem, it's a driver-crew chief communication problem. The team did improve their communication over the last few races, even though he doesn't have the finishes to show for it. If they continue on, they'll be fine and Dale Jr will be a factor next season. As always, thanks for your comment and keep on reading. Lead Lap Thanks for the comment, Richard.

I never said that I blame him for his attitude. If he wasn’t so passionate about winning and performing well, then he wouldn’t get so heated in the car when it isn’t performing up to standards. That said, when he gets mad, he stops communicating, which is far worse than any ill-handling car.

His teammates run out front because they know how to improve the car. Listen to Gordon, Martin, and Johnson over the radio. While they do sometimes lose their tempers, they never stop telling the crew chief what the car is doing and what they think might fix it. Dale Jr doesn’t do this when he gets upset.

Since writing this posting, Dale Jr has improved his communication in the car. But he still needs to work on his it if he ever hopes to win a championship.

I also don’t buy that Hendrick Motorsports is giving him subpar equipment. He’s received extra attention in getting the car prepared for races, but ultimately, how you keep up with the track is what determines how well you perform. At this point, the breakdown in communication results in taking swings at the car with varying degrees of success. A lot of the time, however, those swings miss and Dale Jr doesn’t finish well.

This isn’t an equipment problem, it’s a driver-crew chief communication problem. The team did improve their communication over the last few races, even though he doesn’t have the finishes to show for it. If they continue on, they’ll be fine and Dale Jr will be a factor next season.

As always, thanks for your comment and keep on reading.

Lead Lap

]]> By: Richard Petersen http://lead-lap.com/2009/08/04/dale-jrs-attitude-to-blame-for-struggles/comment-page-1/#comment-2438 Richard Petersen Sat, 19 Dec 2009 06:45:31 +0000 http://lead-lap.mikejsmith.net/?p=1766#comment-2438 Dale Jr does not have an attitude problem, he handles his tempers very well. I mean yea, he can get out of control a little, but I don't blame him. I would do the same exact think is my car was the worst car out there and no where near the front like my teammates. Maybe if that team of his gives him a car to compete with, maybe we won't be talking about this now would we? Dale Jr does not have an attitude problem, he handles his tempers very well. I mean yea, he can get out of control a little, but I don’t blame him. I would do the same exact think is my car was the worst car out there and no where near the front like my teammates. Maybe if that team of his gives him a car to compete with, maybe we won’t be talking about this now would we?

]]> By: Speedway Guide http://lead-lap.com/2009/08/04/dale-jrs-attitude-to-blame-for-struggles/comment-page-1/#comment-1963 Speedway Guide Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:08:54 +0000 http://lead-lap.mikejsmith.net/?p=1766#comment-1963 Dale Jr. doesn't seem to be having fun driving a race car anymore and he hasn't for the last five or six years. Back then he was just racing and winning. At some point about six years ago it seems he started trying to get serious about his career and since then he's not winning and he doesn't appear to be having fun anymore Dale Jr. doesn’t seem to be having fun driving a race car anymore and he hasn’t for the last five or six years. Back then he was just racing and winning. At some point about six years ago it seems he started trying to get serious about his career and since then he’s not winning and he doesn’t appear to be having fun anymore

]]> By: GBN http://lead-lap.com/2009/08/04/dale-jrs-attitude-to-blame-for-struggles/comment-page-1/#comment-1785 GBN Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:08:59 +0000 http://lead-lap.mikejsmith.net/?p=1766#comment-1785 On a lighter note... If you're a fan of Dale Jr., you might like playing around with this site I got in an email. You upload a photo of yourself onto the car of the fan you like and watch it in this silly video. My kids loved it. http://raceyourfaceoff.com/ On a lighter note…

If you’re a fan of Dale Jr., you might like playing around with this site I got in an email.

You upload a photo of yourself onto the car of the fan you like and watch it in this silly video.

My kids loved it.

http://raceyourfaceoff.com/

]]> By: Michele http://lead-lap.com/2009/08/04/dale-jrs-attitude-to-blame-for-struggles/comment-page-1/#comment-1692 Michele Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:03:35 +0000 http://lead-lap.mikejsmith.net/?p=1766#comment-1692 I totally agree with you! This is a great article! I hope that Dale uses the off season to his advantage, and gets his temper fits in check. Hendricks must see potential in him, or he wouldn't keep him. It may be up to Rick Hendricks himself that gets the point through Dale's hard head. I like Dale, and I like the way he drives, but like you said, his attitude is getting in the way. I totally agree with you! This is a great article! I hope that Dale uses the off season to his advantage, and gets his temper fits in check. Hendricks must see potential in him, or he wouldn’t keep him. It may be up to Rick Hendricks himself that gets the point through Dale’s hard head.
I like Dale, and I like the way he drives, but like you said, his attitude is getting in the way.

]]> By: Lead Lap http://lead-lap.com/2009/08/04/dale-jrs-attitude-to-blame-for-struggles/comment-page-1/#comment-1648 Lead Lap Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:01:01 +0000 http://lead-lap.mikejsmith.net/?p=1766#comment-1648 Thanks for the comment, Bill. I think Dale Jr's attitude is due to him wanting to win and run up front every week. And, that I don't have a problem with. The issue is that his attitude/temper prevent him from effectively communicating what the car is doing, which makes it difficult for the crew to make adjustments. Once he gets mad, or the car performs poorly, he gets mad rather than trying to focus on getting it better. And, only until he realizes this, will he run up front and win races. That said, he has made strides since I've written this posting. But, he's still not quite there. Thanks for the comment, Bill.

I think Dale Jr’s attitude is due to him wanting to win and run up front every week. And, that I don’t have a problem with.

The issue is that his attitude/temper prevent him from effectively communicating what the car is doing, which makes it difficult for the crew to make adjustments. Once he gets mad, or the car performs poorly, he gets mad rather than trying to focus on getting it better.

And, only until he realizes this, will he run up front and win races. That said, he has made strides since I’ve written this posting. But, he’s still not quite there.

]]>