Houston, We Have a Problem:
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Mark Martin: I lump two of NASCAR’s favorite drivers into one bucket because they are in the same mess, and work out of the same shop. Junior hasn’t been able to get out of his own way so far this year, with a 26th at Daytona, 39th at Fontana, and finally rebounding from issues to finish 10th at Vegas.
Martin, on the other hand, has become consistent in a way nobody wants, or expected. After a strong 16th in the season opener, he’s finished 40th in the last two races due to engine failure. The issue at Auto Club was bad valves for both the 88 and the 5 team, but I think he may have tripped the car out of gear at Vegas.
One thing is for certain, these two better hope they leave their bad luck in Sin City and get climbing the ladder at Atlanta, or else.
Casey Mears
After taking up residence at Richard Childress Racing and slotting into the warm No. 07 seat, I (and, raise your hand, because you do as well) expect way more out of this kid. Should he remain mired down in the lower-20s in points for long, serious doubts about his ability are going to start being more than a whisper.
He had a shot in good equipment at Ganassi, and didn’t do anything. He won one race at Hendrick (should we throw the fuel-mileage asterisk on that 2007 Coca-Cola 600?) and didn’t do anything else. Now he’s at RCR, and in a ride that’s consistently in the top 10.
No more excuses, Casey, it’s time to “‘Git ‘er done!”
Scott Speed
Another rookie whose expectations are high, but tempered by the reality of coming into NASCAR from Formula 1. He has shown the ability to run fast, and even finish well. Now it’s a matter of time and patience. He needs to get himself locked into the top-35 in points this week at Atlanta. You can’t have guys running fewer races ahead of you on that list.
All that being said, Speed has been a victim of circumstance. He was caught up in the “Big One” at Daytona, and then lost engines at both Auto Club Speedway and Vegas. TRD has identified a flaw in the motor program, and Speed needs them to get it right, less he be out of contention for Rookie Of the Year and the top-35.
Ryan Newman
I have to wonder if he knows what good luck is. Newman has been subject to similar failures that the No. 5 and 88 cars have suffered, but otherwise just hasn’t been up to speed like his owner/teammate Stewart has. I would like to think the 39 U.S. Army car will recover and run better, but for as good as the equipment is, Newman just hasn’t been able to hustle it around the track.
That engineering degree from Purdue should be good for something, shouldn’t it? The “Rocketman” really needs a break and a couple of solid top-20 runs in the next two races to get him away from the precipice.
Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing
Who? Talk about hero to zero. The only upside to this merger was it got Ganassi drivers out of Dodges and into Chevys. Only Juan Pablo Montoya has been worth his paycheck so far this season, and could still contend for a Chase position. As for the others…Uh, who’s on this team?
Well, agree or disagree with my assessment, there have been a number of surprises so far to start 2009. We’ll see how things shake out after Atlanta. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.
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