Rick Hendrick Providing More Questions Than Answers at HMS

"Junior gave his all the whole race," Jimmy Spencer said as he described Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s day at Pocono Raceway this past Sunday.

Lance McGrew virtually eliminated any chance his driver had at a good finish.

McGrew's strategy seems to set his driver up for bad finishes. If strategy missteps don't work, he just gives Dale a car with "issues." 

We wait to see this routine get turned around, but the wait goes on and on.

Has the time come to unveil the mysterious mandate, that Rick Hendrick appears to have put in place, which governs the No. 88 team?

Rick Hendrick made his money selling cars. It looks like some of those less than ethical traits used in the automotive sales business have perhaps permeated the operations at Hendrick Motorsports.

Could there be some shady dealings with the drama at HMS?

Hendrick, known as NASCAR's most powerful owner, has built a reputation of fairness and respect.

Make no mistake, he has earned his established place in the racing world and is a good and generous man in his personal life. 

He is also a ruthless businessman, with a kind face and soft-spoken demeanor.

As of late, something is amiss with Mr. H's wielding power. He's on an extended power trip, but one has to question where the trip is headed.

Hendrick promised Dale Earnhardt Jr. a grandiose return for the No.88 car when the driver began his new racing life in 2008.

Well, we see how that has unfolded. And the 2009 season played out worse than Dale Jr. could have ever imagined.

Rick Hendrick was going to be the father-figure, friend, and boss that would fast track Junior to wins and a championship.

The Amp Energy/National Guard Chevrolet driver keeps showing promise for making the Chase in 2010, then the rug gets pulled out from beneath him.

There is no question that, at times, Dale Jr. seems to give up when he has a bad car.  Why should he drive his rear end off with a sub-par race car?

People question if Junior has his head in the game. Perhaps he does, and realizes he may have stepped in quicksand when he signed with Hendrick Motorsports.

Does Lance McGrew have a secret hand-shake with Mr. H.? Does it require him to make it look like his driver has a good car and then foil a good run for Earnhardt Jr.?

Is the motive to make sure there is one less car in Jimmie Johnson's way to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship?

Could it be Mr. Hendrick wants that fifth championship for Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordon, perhaps even more than they do?

The all powerful Mr. Hendrick went out and signed Kasey Kahne as a fifth driver for Hendrick Motorsports.

NASCAR has basically said five into four won't go. An owner is allowed a maximum of four teams.

Now we watch with bated breath to see which HMS driver will be grazing in another pasture next year.

HMS promised Dale glory. Now he is like the homely step-child of the four drivers, though he remains the focus of media attention.

Rick Hendrick lured Earnhardt Jr. to HMS to be his cash cow and not a winning driver.

Kasey Kahne will be the new golden boy and Mark Martin will more than likely be the one to take the fall for Kahne.

There seems to be something a bit sinister going on in the ranks of HMS.  Does the power-broker, Hendrick, have more influence with NASCAR than we might imagine?

What grand plan will be unveiled, filled with shock and awe for us mortals in NASCAR-land?

After signing Kahne in mid-April, it was supposed to be announced in 60-90 days as to what car he would drive, where he would drive it, and who Kahne's sponsor would be.

The days are winding down and we just might not hear that announcement by mid-July. The foibles of Dale Jr. keep the media occupied.

We, the humble fans of NASCAR, suspected covert operations in Jimmie Johnson's four consecutive championships. Perhaps there are even more covert dealings in the Hendrick Motorsports' business plan.

Wondering minds just see more questions than answers at HMS.