'Funny how time slips away:' Tight Race to Chase (cont'd)

One point to remember in this Race to the Chase is the possibility that, as Mr. Jones said, "The winner loses all." Here is what I mean by that perplexing lyric: Being in that 12th position is a smidge tougher this year considering the season the man at the top of the standings is putting together.

In fact, the biggest gap between any two drivers in the entire Nextel Cup point standings is Jeff Gordon's 371-point lead on his nearest competitor, Denny Hamlin. So while getting into the Chase keeps a team's season alive it's the "Drive for Five" that's living largest as the season heads down the backstretch.

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Last week's Question of the Week

Before I get to last week's question, I'd like to say to any NASCAR fan that cares to listen: If anyone ever tells you that Junior's popularity is fading, you hereby have my permission to tape that person's mouth shut forever. Or better still: Send them my way to have them sift through the thousands of responses I received from Junior's faithful supporters. I'll keep them busy until the next Car of Tomorrow rolls around in 2020.

The question was: Have the events of the last six months made you more of a fan, less of a fan, or had no change on your opinion of Dale Earnhardt Jr.?

The responses fell into some categories I didn't anticipate, but the vast majority of fans support Dale Jr. as much if not more than ever before. Below are some of the best responses:

I have always liked and respected Dale Jr., however, I'll like him even more now that he has left Teresa's shoestrings and moved on. I know that someday he'll build his own team which will far exceed DEI, which should be known as TEI. I also have more respect for him now that he has the confidence to change teams. Go Junior, 2008 Nextel champ.
-- Joyce from Michigan

My advice to Teresa Earnhardt and anyone in the DEI family: Unless you want to be hunted down by wild dogs and rabid fans, keep the "D" in DEI forever.

I think it's pretty clear that what Junior had at DEI wasn't working. If he wants to win championships (which I am more than eager to see him start doing) he needed to make a change. HMS has proven it can produce champions and looks well on its way to producing another one this year.
-- Jamie from Incirlik AB, Turkey

Jaime was an example of a voice of reason in this flurry of e-mails I've received in the past two weeks. Thanks for the moment of sanity from Turkey and stay safe.

I'm still on the Dale Jr. Express, and I don't want to get off. I am still a loyal fan of him as a person and a driver. He comes across as a very down to earth and honest person, no phony baloney. I think it took great maturity for him to make the decision he made to leave DEI. So, I guess I could say I like him even more! I will still be a Dale Jr. fan whoever he drives for, regardless of who sponsors him.
-- Marilyn from Ohio

Those who weren't busy casting voodoo spells on Teresa Earnhardt but still supported Junior fell into the category of notes like the one above from Marilyn.

At this moment I'm less a fan. I can't believe I'd say that. It's made me more a Kyle Busch fan. I wanted Junior to have more control of his life. I want to see a burning desire to win, to take control, to take a wife and get a life. Right now it's like Col. Parker just bought Elvis and we all know the end to that story.
-- Sharron from the Outer Banks of North Carolina

Any mention of Col. Parker and Elvis is worth publication, but Sharron's rationale seems a bit off. Going to HMS is nothing, if not an outright statement, of Junior's "burning desire" to win.

Also, he has taken more control of his life. It was, in fact, his lack of control that pushed him to leave DEI. I'm checking my notes to see if Sharron listed Outer Space instead of Outer Banks as her place of residence.

This week's Question of the Week

I refuse to utter the word that begins with an "s" and ends in a lump when talking about Hendrick Motorsports performance in the past few weeks. These guys set such a high standard that they were bound to fall from the sky at some point. Still, they are in a bit of a dry spell. In fact, the last time the HMS gang won a race, many would argue it was due to a break from the rain and that was nearly two months ago.

This week the HMS guys head back to the scene of their last checkered performance. Jeff Gordon won the rain-shortened Pocono 500 and at the time the team appeared on a march of inevitability. They were pointed straight at the record for highest owner win percentage for a single season in the Modern Era of NASCAR. Now, the record looks a bit sturdier. For the mark to fall, drivers from HMS will have to win six of the remaining 16 races.

My question this week is simple: Do you think HMS will break the all-time record for win percentage in a season by a single owner? A yes or no is a good start, but feel free to explain. Send your e-mails directly to my inbox at Beau@Turner.com. (Continued)