Bleacher Report - Articles by Heather L. Ruelle

A Fistful of Juniors

Heather L. Ruelle — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:52:03 -0400

Over the last couple of days, a lot of cannon fodder and jocularity has come out of the supposed rant that Dale Earnhardt Jr had with his boss, Rick Hendrick. Some have blown it out of proportion, saying Dale screamed into the radio about his tires being bad wanting car changes that weren't coming. Dale did want changes, but he was nowhere near a high octave range.

With that being said, Rick Hendrick agreed with him, to appease him maybe. However, it did calm the addled Dale Earnhardt Jr down.

I think the radio chatter was unsettling to some, and comedy to others. As for me, it was a boss keeping Dale "on the chip" as he put it, or as many of us have said, "on his toes." First thing, Dale had no idea Hendrick was at the track, and his voice showed his surprise. "How are you doing this from the couch?" Was the reply to him being there.

Mr. Hendrick being on the pit box, he brought his calming-zen like demeanor to that show, which is normally a verbal fistfight between the two Juniors. It never did accomplish anything. It made for Dale angrily wanting one thing, and Tony Jr doing the direct opposite.

A change needed to be made or Dale Jr would have probably lost Tony Jr on the pit box, a change that would only come up bad. The JR Nation was looking for the missing link between these two, because the explosive nature that is their relationship is baffling.

The JR Nation has been used to the angry approach of Dale Earnhardt Jr, and its unproductive results, for far too long. However, we have now found that missing link, in Rick Hendrick, to fix the broken chain. He taught the two Juniors how to use their anger in a positive way.

Before Dale got back on the radio, telling Rick he had thought about it, he might have been cussing a blue streak at Tony Jr. We can't be sure of that, but it is clear that Hendrick helped him channel his anger. The result: focused productivity.

Rick Hendrick said he may get lynched by fans for this; however, I praise him. I think it's a big deal because it involves Dale Earnhardt Jr, NASCAR's most popular, but that's beside the point. It has to do with a boss wanting a more productive and proactive team.

Rick Hendrick said he will be on the 88 pit box until the end of the Chase for the Cup. It's a welcome change to see an owner who is hands on with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Eury Jr.

Hendrick Motorsports: What's in a Team?

Heather L. Ruelle — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:22:12 -0400

There is this word being spun about the Hendrick camp, called "team." It would appear that some don't know what this word is, or means. To the force that is Hendrick Motorsports, they don't compromise their integrity by saying that they're all for one.

No, they're all for the other.

Rick Hendrick, CEO of Hendrick Motorsports, as we all know, appears in victory lane for all his drivers. It's a family unit there. Sure, back in 2006, in Martinsville, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon raced each other hard for the win. "As long as you don't wreck each-other," quipped over the in-car radio, by Rick Hendrick. This team thrives on being competitive with each other.

It isn't for appearance sake that one teammate appears in the others' victory lane. It's because they care about the other guy winning that's on the team.

We have seen Johnson appear in Junior's twice now, as well as Gordon and Casey. They're all recipients of hugs and adulation when the other wins. So why are some writers calling Jimmie the top dog at HMS now?

Each of them are happy when the other wins. It's good for the entire company's morale when this is reflected in victory lane. Chad Knauss, Steve LeTarte, and Rick Hendrick shook Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s hand on the way in to the winner's circle in Daytona.

They were ALL very proud of Dale's win. They were all proud of Jimmie's a few months later, as well as last week. That was a well earned one I might add.

What matters most is that they're team players who help each other in the respective drafts and stick together. That is, unless someone misses their set-up and can't keep up. Then it's all bets off when those last ten laps happen. Competition among teammates is healthy and not a deterrent.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: To Be or Not to Be Champion

Heather L. Ruelle — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:52:29 -0400

It would seem to me, as to anyone, that Kyle Busch has this championship lock, stock, and smoking gun. The smoking gun being that he drives a Toyota, and is wrecking people left and right to get attention.

He calls it his dream season, but for us fans, it has been far from it.

In my opinion, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Kyle Busch are running two entirely different seasons. One has been very consistent, the other has been rough and impetuous. As I write this, I'm wondering if it has to do with age and maturity. The blaring answer is yes, on both counts.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is a 33-year-old man, whereas Kyle is 23. Kyle is being young and impetuous, whereas Dale is acting older and smarter. Dale also runs things old school and I think he's saving all these wins for the chase.

Jimmie Johnson was 10th in points at the end of last years' season in New Hampshire, and he won it. It ain't over until the checkered flag in Miami.

So, yes, Kyle has won seven races, but what does that really mean? That he has 70 points come the start of the chase, and that is it.

All the drivers in the top 12 will have 5,000 points at the start of the chase.

That puts Busch at 5,070, as of this moment. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will have 10 bonus points, but he also has the humble pie eaten, because he is humble. He learned how to maintain that demeanor a long time ago. Dale grew up in the shadow of his father, and despite all that, managed to become someone his father could be proud of, in absentia.

With that, we also don't want Kyle Busch taking home that beautiful checkered flag trophy at the end of this year. This young boy has not earned his licks in this sport yet. Dale Jr. has.

I know it's not a really material, but where Dale shines, Kyle fails miserably. He hasn't earned the right to be champion. This sport is brutal, and one day Kyle will undoubtedly learn that fact.

However, Dale is handling it right. He's being old school about it, and not going for the glory, the praise, and the accolades.

The unfortunate thing is this: If Dale Earnhardt, Jr. doesn't get the championship and the younger man does, they will call Dale overrated and think Kyle is the better driver.

Still, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s attitude about it will be, "Well, there's always next year."

In my own frame of mind, the pressure is on for Dale Jr. to win this year's championship, because he needs to. Also, if you look at it, it is pretty much anyone’s take. There always is that one dark horse.