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What do these teams have to do to improve next season?

Sporting News, The, Sept 23, 2005 by Lee Spencer

DALE EARNHARDT JR

In February, did anyone think Earnhardt would be on the outside of the Chase looking in? What initially seemed like Dale Earnhardt Inc. imposing a timeout on two of its principals, Earnhardt and cousin-crew chief Tony Eury Jr., backfired on DEI, leaving it without a driver on the stage at the Waldorf-Astoria this December. How to turn things around? Reuniting the cousins is merely the first step. There's no time like the present to solidify the No. 8 car's position for next year. The organization also must begin strengthening its leadership and restructuring its engine department to come out fighting in 2006. Next? Test, test, test. Moving the Nos. 1 and 8 crews under one roof will encourage an exchange of ideas and a friendly rivalry between Earnhardt and Martin Truex.

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ELLIOTT SADLER Wrecks in back-to-back races, at Chicago and New Hampshire, helped knock him from fourth to ninth in points, and Sadler never recovered. This team was consistent at the start of the season, but remnants of those wrecks have haunted Sadler since. He has failed to score a top 10 since June. At Indianapolis, Sadler led 39 laps but pitted after he thought a tire was going down. Sadler has immense talent, but he needs a sports psychologist to help him deal with the demons and get him back up on the wheel. DALE JARRETT Is there a crew chief in the house? Bill Wilburn is officially the No. 88's crew chief, but there's no one person calling the shots for the team. Jarrett needs one chef in the kitchen, not several tripping over each other. Despite finishing every race this season, Jarrett has led just two races and posted three top fives and five top 10s. That won't get a driver into the Chase. D.J. ripped his crew at Pocono, so Robert Yates Racing should audition crew members who can support the nucleus of this team and help it interact with teammate Sadler's team. JAMIE McMURRAY At California, McMurray questioned whether his team and cars were strong enough to make the Chase. Who can blame him? He has led just one lap all season. Chip Ganassi Racing is capable of winning races--though that hasn't happened in nearly three years--but this organization is far from capable of competing for titles. Considering the consternation surrounding McMurray's future departure to Roush Racing, it would be best to cut the cord now and let this team start to rebuild. KASEY KAHNE Failing to finish two of the first three races squashed the hopes Kahne and the No. 9 team had of being a contender. The combination of a new Dodge nose and a different tire compound threw this team for a loop, but Kahne showed potential on short tracks, where aerodynamics weren't much of a factor. As a rookie in 2004, Kahne had plenty of opportunities to test, and it showed in his results. The team needs to get Kahne seat time in the offseason so he's up to speed for 2006.

What do these teams have to do to improve next season?

Sporting News, The, Sept 23, 2005 by Lee Spencer

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