Earnhardt Jr. and McGrew: Prepared For The Chase In 2010

Lance McGrew recently made it clear the 88 team is stronger than ever.  The 2009 season having been a bit of a debacle mandated improvement.

Several personnel changes have been made.  Chris Heroy, previously chief engineer for Mark Martin's team joined McGrew.  Several people from the 5 team will serve in the same capacity for Earnhardt Jr.

Pit stops will continue to be handled by the same over-the-wall crew.

McGrew has stated that the Johnson and Gordon teams were more of a single team operation in their building.  Many responsibilities were assigned to people working on both the 24 and 48.

The 5 and 88 teams had been much more segregated in the various duties.  Personnel were either one team or the other.

Alan Gustafson, Martin's crew chief,  is working with McGrew to assure team 5 and team 88 work as one out of their building.  Reorganization with their shop should make for greater efficiency than they previously had.

McGrew realizes Dale Jr. needs strong personalities around him.  Chris Heroy has an outgoing manner that meshes well with Jr.  This should bode well with feedback on engineering data.

Lance McGrew knew major changes had to be made after the past season of failures.  Preparation and having the right people in the right place is key to a good season in 2010.

The changes made for the 88 team are designed to get Earnhardt Jr. in the Chase this year.

The pressure is on McGrew to pull his driver and team personnel together to win races and finish well consistently.

Dale Jr. spent a lot of time during the off season chilling out with friends and family.  Hopefully he was able to shake off the disappointments of 2009.

Jr. appears relaxed, but excited about the upcoming season.  He exudes confidence in McGrew and the changes that have been made.

Lance McGrew has been with Hendrick since 1999.  He was a crew chief for Jeff Gordon.

In 2004 McGrew was successful with Kyle Busch driving the #5 in what was then the BUSCH series.  He worked with Brian Vickers in the #25 then transitioned to R&D at Hendrick.

Now MCGrew is crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr.  For many reasons it is incumbent upon him to bring Jr. back to the winner's circle.  The option to flounder again is off the table.