Saturday, February 8th 'What If' Question

The short and successful pairing of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and crew chief Steve Letarte comes to end following the 2014 season.

Letarte has taken a position with NBC to become a broadcaster in 2015 as the network begins their NASCAR takeover. He’ll serve as an analyst alongside Jeff Burton and Rick Allen when the second half of the season coverage begins. Yet in doing so that means he has to relinquish his position as crew chief and the only home he’s ever had in Hendrick Motorsports.

Letarte and Earnhardt Jr. have been paired together since 2011 and have made the Chase every season since. Finishing a best fifth in points this past year. In their three seasons together thus far, the two have scored one win and four poles.

Even more important however, was the chemistry the two had built. Something that appeared difficult for Earnhardt Jr. and the numerous crew chiefs who came before. After the announcement was made, the most popular driver talked about how much Letarte has done for him both personally and professionally, changing his personality and confidence.

The two now enter their fourth and final season together. With both firmly stating that nothing would change this year as they continue to prepare the same to win races and challenge for the championship.

The new crew chief for Earnhardt Jr. won’t be announced until late in the season or even after the 2014 season has come to an end. Earnhardt Jr., while he said he doesn’t want any part in deciding who gets the job, might not have a choice as team owner Rick Hendrick said that he among others will have input in the next man to take the hot seat on the 88 pit box.

But …

What if Hendrick Motorsports allowed fan input on who Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s new crew chief should be, who’s your first pick and why?

@BeeOhBeeRT_R Pete Rondeau. Because I like to laugh.

@jerracing10 It should be his race engineer. They should promote him up to crew chief.

@skeene1202 don’t matter-he is the most overrated driver ever. If his last name was diff he would be sitin at home watchin tv.

@RRP88 either Alan Gustafson or wishful thinking Chad Knaus! They have experience working with Jr and know how to handle the pressure

@JamersonD Darian Grubb. Already knows the Hendrick system how Knaus operates. Proven race and championship winning crew chief.

Monday, January 13th 'What If' Question

For those who haven’t heard, Chase Elliott is now officially going NASCAR racing.

Earlier this month it was announced that Elliott had signed a full-time deal with JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series. He’ll drive the No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet with crew chief Greg Ives. Coming after Elliott won his first career Camping World Truck Series race last season but has yet to run a single lap in NNS competition.

The son of 1988 Cup champion Bill Elliott has grown up in NASCAR garages. Having the best to learn from as he’s made his way through the racing ranks. The younger Elliott becoming a legend in his own right on short tracks.

So with the name come the expectations. Before Elliott was even old enough to compete in NASCAR he was already being called the heir apparent to Jeff Gordon’s No. 24. Now that Elliott is signed to a NNS deal, as well as linked to Hendrick Motorsports as a development driver, the scenario could become quite likely over the next few seasons.

Right now his NNS deal is a multi-year one according to JRM. The trend seeming to be for young drivers that two full years in the NNS and then it’s time to move to Cup. Should Elliott follow in that direction, a decision will have to be made about where he ends up and if he does indeed end up replacing Gordon.

It’s all part of speculation, something that’s familiar in NASCAR. The 2014 season hasn’t even started yet and the future is already trying to be predicted. Yet, with Elliott that’s been the case since he could walk.

And let’s not forget the biggest part of this deal: Jeff Gordon. Many have been ready to attach the retirement tag to the four-time champion since about 2005. Yet he’s not ready to entertain such notions and hasn’t revealed when exactly he plans on stepping away.

But …

What if Chase Elliott is ready for the Cup Series in 2-3 years, and with being connected to Hendrick, how do you fit him in?

@MarshallGabell After Jimmie Johnson wins two more Championships then Elliott will become Hendrick’s franchise driver

@ABolt89 5 team or will they cut ties with whoever the weaker driver is!! Honestly that is a great question

@Talon64 If it’s 3 years, then at least any one of Gordon, Stewart or Danica will be gone to open up a seat within the HMS family.

@ThomasCHitch JR Motorsports emerges.

@jshaunAU2006 in reply to @Talon64 and @KellyCrandall I still think JRM will have a cup team in the future.

@Talon64 to @jshaunAU2006 Dale Jr. would have to leave HMS for it.

@Revvin4Seven48 I figure Gordon will be done after 2015.

@jshaunAU2006 to @Talon64 Dale Sr. didn’t leave RCR for DEI.

@Talon64 to @jshaunAU2006 4 car limit in Cup would prevent Dale Jr. for owning another team while he’s driving for HMS.

@MattWisneski Chase Elliott has been lined up for the 24 car since we first head his name. I sat 2015/16 all but signed #napa24

@jasonskow I think that Jeff Gordon retires or goes part time

@jackrlewis Gordon will retire. I don’t see any other instance, unless Kahne regresses

@AustinPollak8 Gordon retires

@MikeGraf2 Gordon will be retired

@R_Informative I think we’re seeing Jeff Gordon’s career come to a close, like it or not, and that is what will make room for Chase

@HarpAmyStabler He becomes the heir apparent to Jeff Gordon. Or, he goes to a satellite team like SHR until a seat opens up at HMS.

Saturday, November 30th 'What If' Question

Not since the championship battle of Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards in 2011 had two drivers gone into the Chase for the Sprint Cup so equally matched.

Stewart and Edwards ended up tying for that title with Stewart earning his third crown because he had more wins. This past season history very well could have repeated itself with Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth. The two drivers who all season and all Chase long, proved they were the cream of the crop.

Kenseth opened the Chase with two straight wins and quickly took commanding control of the point lead. Johnson stalked the Joe Gibbs Racing driver and racked up top fives and wins of his own. During the second half of the Chase they traded the point lead back and forth, setting themselves up for a fantastic finale in Homestead.

But before Homestead comes Phoenix.

It was Johnson on the pole with Kenseth starting deep in the field. While the 48 Lowe’s team from Hendrick Motorsports had a solid top five day – escaping what could have been two major incidents – Kenseth struggled mightily. The No. 20 team never hit the setup and were only able to salvage a 23rd place finish.

Suddenly the exciting championship battle was out of reach. The point lead for Johnson heading into Homestead was an insurmountable 28. A top 25 finish in Homestead would (and did) seal his sixth Sprint Cup championship.

An anti-climatic ending to a Chase that had been shaping up as one of the best in its 10 year history.

But …

What if Johnson and Kenseth had gone into Homestead a lot closer in points, in a winner take all, who'd you put money on and why? 

@Revvin4Seven48 Johnson, been in championship situations more often that not. Plus Knaus would have been the X Factor. 

@kbr81911 Wow...thats a hard question. They are both great under pressure! I cant say Id even want to bet on either one! 

@MC412 Easily 48. They've been through this enough that the pressure wouldn't affect them. I think the JGR crew could choke. 

Josh Jones (via Facebook) Even though I am not a fan of his, I would still say Jimmie, just because Chad and him always know what to do during the chase races

Marshall Gabell (via Facebook) Jimmie, because he's Jimmie 

Brian Cullather (via Facebook) I'd say Jimmie too because of the Chad factor 

Thursday, September 9th 'What If' Question

It all comes down to one race and two drivers. While others are still mathematically eligible  to make this year's Chase for the Sprint Cup Series Championship, all eyes are on Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon going to Richmond.

Busch holds the second Wild Card spot, with his one win from May at the same track. Gordon sits 14th, fighting a year of bad luck and many mechanical failures. He too, has a lone win from Pocono. And the scenario is simple: whoever finishes ahead of the other will make the Chase.

Yet, while both Busch and Gordon have had their fair share of success at the Virginia track, Busch enters the weekend as the favorite. He's the most recent winner at the track and it's Gordon who has to beat him. A tall task simply because of the fact that anything and everything that could happen to a driver and team this season, has to Gordon.

They must continue to fight from behind if they want a shot at the Chase. A situation neither company, Joe Gibbs Racing with Busch and Hendrick Motorsports with Gordon, imagined themselves in before the season started. Except here they are, Busch not wanting to miss the Chase again as he did in 2009 and Gordon hoping to have something go right in his season. Saying it's never over until it's over, and he too, doesn't want to experience being on the outside looking in as he did in 2005.

Each driver knows what they have to do, Busch feeling confident in his team and the track. Gordon looking to avenge a heartbreaking loss to Hamlin at Atlanta, saying he won't make the same mistake twice.

But ...

What if Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon are running together on the last lap Saturday, who makes it back to the checkered flag and into the Chase?

@ARosser14 Whoever's third

@HarpAmyStabler Kyle makes it to the Chase and the checkered flag

Monday, May 21st 'What If' Question

With all the hype and advertising that comes with the Sprint All-Star race, no holds barred and full of wrecks, it was anything but on Saturday night. 

There were no fireworks, except for the ones released post race, nor were there wrecks and angry words exchanged. There was hard racing and smart strategy used and then a familiar face in victory lane. 

The 2012 format of the All-Star race consisted of five segments. The first four were 20 laps each and the final segment a 10 lap dash for the cash. That coming after a mandatory pit stop where as long as all four tires came to a stop in the box, it was considered OK and the driver could continue.

Another new wrinkle was that the drivers who won a segment would be lined up 1-4 coming to pit road for those final stops and that's where things got interesting.  

Jimmie Johnson won the first segment and then disappeared for the remainder of the All-Star. Literally. He restarted in the back of the pack and then let the field drive away as he stayed far behind what could have been potential carnage. 

Then segment two winner Matt Kenseth did the same thing. As did segment three winner Brad Keselowski, all playing possum until the final segment.

After Dale Earnhardt Jr. won segment four, he along with Johnson, Kenseth and Keselowski lined up for the mandatory stop and then exited pit road in the same order. When the green flag flew for the final segment Johnson drove away from the field for his third All-Star win.

Many were left shaking their heads in confusion, disappointment and anger at how the race played out. There seemed to be no racing involved or at least not what the All-Star race is accustomed to. Besides Johnson fans, what happend in the All-Star race wasn't what fans wanted, although Johnson and company simply took the rules and manipulated them to their advantage. 

Clint Bowyer seemed a bit shocked after the checkered flag flew saying, "He ran 30 laps, 30 damn laps and won $1 millon." 

But ... 


What if segment winners weren't allowed to 'sandbag,' how different would All-Star race have played out and does Johnson still win?


@kartracer3886 Lol If JJ didnt sandbag then he would have won every segment. I liked the format. Needs 1-2 slight tweaks


@Race_Girl24_7 idk but I would b good with a system that sends the last place driver to the garage after each segment even if they had won a segment earlier


@JoJo_6040 Each segmt would make 'em have to race. It's a short race, why sandbag? With that scenario, not sure who would've won. 

Monday, April 2nd 'What If' Question

Everything was in place on Sunday for Hendrick Motorsports to have an historic day at Martinsville Speedway.

Kasey Kahne won the pole, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all led laps. And when came time to decide the winner Gordon, Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. were running first, second and third with less than 10 laps to go.

Whoever won the event for HMS would have delivered team owner Rick Hendrick his 200th Sprint Cup Series win. David Reutimann, Clint Bowyer and Ryan Newman had other plans and quickly postponed the celebration.

As Gordon took the lead by inches on Johnson on lap 498 of 500, David Reutimann came to a stop near turn one in his No. 10 Chevrolet. He had been slow for a few laps and had been issued the black flag by NASCAR, get off the track in other words.

Reutimann though was determined to finish the race and try to remain locked into the top 35 in points. Had he done so he would be guaranteed a starting spot in the series next race at Texas. Instead he said he had motor problems and the car shut off, stopping him to get back to pit road.

The caution bunched the field back up and when Earnhardt Jr. pitted it put Clint Boywer in third place, Brad Keselowski fourth, Ryan Newman fifth and Earnhardt Jr. sixth. When the green flag flew Newman shoved Bowyer toward turn one and Bowyer decided to take it three wide for the lead.

Johnson spun, Gordon got sideways and then spun Bowyer. Newman came out with the lead, AJ Allmendinger second and Earnhardt Jr. third. That's how they would finish when the race had their second attempt at a green-white-checkered finish.

Afterwards it was hard to find a happy driver. Either upset with the move by Bowyer, the push from Newman but most certainly because of the caution caused by Reutimann. Days later harsh words still remain for both Reutimann and the top 35 rule with both being the main topics of conversations concerning Martinsville.

HMS will once again put away the boxes full of 200 win hats and wait until Texas in two weeks to see if one of their drivers can win capture the checkered flag.

But ...

What if David Reutimann hadn't caused a caution as Gordon & Johnson raced for the lead, who scores the 200th win for HMS?

@ronsracing88 Jeff Gordon would of won.

@HD388 Gordon would of easily have won the race, he had run Johnson down & was passing him & would of driven off from him

@cruetten Jeff Gordon

@michaelwsays Jimmy would have laid the chrome bumper to the 24

@StrokerAce90 JJ

@CSoloy Niether-M'ville upchucks chunk AGAIN, goes through 24 grill, in turn clips 48 who pits, falls 2 end of lead lap

@HarpAmyStabler Jeff Gordon. My thots on Reuty are the following: He's fighting for the top 35. If you don't want something like that to affect the outcome of the race, then NASCAR needs to get rid of the top 35. But, in this economy, we need sponsors so we need to keep the top 35 rule. It's really a no-win situation here. All drivers have agendas on the track. Respect them.

Thursday, March 22nd 'What If' Question

Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus will go down in the NASCAR history books as one of the greatest driver and crew chief combinations the Sprint Cup Series ever saw.

On the bottom of that page however, it could also be said that they were one of the sports greyest combinations. Their success and five-straight championships haven't come without controversy, instead they seem to be the poster boys for it. Knaus has made quite a name for himself in the garage and around the grandstands, some call him smart, an innovator and hard worker.

Others call him a cheater for the following reasons:

During his time in the Nationwide Series with Stacy Compton:

- unapproved shoulder harnesses, suspended two races and $5,000 fine
- unapproved window clips, $750 fine

Sprint Cup Series with Johnson:

- improperly installed mounting bolts, $25,000 fine
- unapproved air directional device $1,000 fine
- unapproved refrigerant, $2,500 fine
- car failing to meet height sticks after Las Vegas win (2005), team docked 25 championships points and Knaus suspended for two races, which was later overturned on appeal. Was still placed on 90 days probation and $35,000 fine
- shock absorbers taken by NASCAR after failing inspection following win in Dover (2005), NASCAR announced no penalties, saying team had exploited a loophole. Rulebook was later changed
- rear window fails inspection on 2006 Daytona 500 car. Knaus ejected from Speedweeks and later suspended for six weeks
- unapproved fenders at Sonoma (2007), cars were kept in the garage during the first practice. Knaus and teammate Steve Letarte both suspended for six weeks, 100 points taken away

Last fall in Talladega Knaus was caught on camera telling Johnson that should he win the race he needed to 'crack' the back of the car. He wasn't penalized but NASCAR kept a close eye on the 48 for the remainder of the season. That seemed to have carried over into 2012 when the 48 made news on opening day for the Daytona 500.

The car's C-posts were confiscated and the team made to rebuild that area before the car could participate in practice. The car however, never went through inspection. After Speedweeks was over NASCAR announced a six week suspension for Knaus and car chief Ron Malec, 25 driver and owner point deduction and a $100,000 fine for Knaus.

On their second appeal to Chief Appellate officer John Middlebrook the penalty, all except the $100,000, was completely overturned. Johnson moves to 11th in points entering California and won't have to lose Knaus or Malec. HMS reportedly argued that the car was not only legal but the C-posts have been inspected by NASCAR and used last year on HMS cars.

The ruling has sent shockwaves through the garage. Surprise seeming to be the biggest reaction while others say it was the only fair ruling since the car never went on the track, Johnson didn't gain an advantage. Kyle Petty went as far to say last weekend that the appeals process and those involved didn't know the team, the sport and shouldn't be judging Johnson or anyone else.

Once the appeal was overturned Petty declared how satisfied he was. There are still those however, that are wondering what exactly happened and if Knaus got one past NASCAR. The haters will continue to call him a cheater, others say no harm no foul since the car remained in the garage.

But ...

What if the No. 48 had made it to inspection then C-posts failed, does penalty still get overturned & do some still agree w/ruling? #NASCAR

@cruetten no. only reason I agree w/the penalty being overturned is 'cause it never got on the track. If it had, I would feel differently

@Albee_M no it would not have been overturned, and no I do not agree with the final ruling

@HD388 no way the ruling gets overturned if the 48 fails inspection probably would of made for a tougher punishment given Chad's past history, I agree with the ruling given the fact that the car never made it to inspection & they weren't allowed to sand or grind the C-post down like the other teams though I still am not sure why the fine stood

Tuesday, February 21st 'What If' Question

The signing of Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Hendrick Motorsports have brought forth a major change to the landscape in the NASCAR garage. That includes the news, attention and focus by those watching and covering the sport.

The 2008 season featured the HMS lineup as Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Casey Mears and Earnhardt Jr., with Kyle Busch being the odd man out and landing at Joe Gibbs Racing. To some it appeared that Hendrick had chosen Earnhardt Jr. over Busch and the consensus, those that weren't profanity fulled, seemed to be that he [Hendrick] would regret it.

Busch went out and won eight races in 2008 to Earnhardt Jr.'s one and when the two tangled in Richmond while racing for the win with less than five laps to go, the racing world ignited. It was fueled further when Earnhardt Jr. seemed to return the favor at the fall race in Richmond later the year. The have been constantly compared while the the team changes for both have been dissected and analyzed for who it has benefited more.

Busch has experienced both the highs and lows at JGR. He's won multiple races and contended for the championship only to see it disappear when the Chase started. He's broken records in the CWTS and NNS and then been benched in the Cup Series because of his actions.

Earnhardt Jr. has also had the ups and downs of racing. In 2008 he broke his winless streak and made the Chase. But in 2009 and 2010 fell off the map again and went through many team changes. To which Kyle Busch said, "It's always the crew chief, it's never the driver" and Earnhardt Jr. replied by saying that he's always had a problem with him and would take a shot whenever he could. Including during a race when laughing that Earnhardt Jr. was a lap down. In 2011 Earnhardt Jr. returned to the Chase but still hasn't won a race.

Meanwhile, Casey Mears only lasted the 2008 season with Hendrick before moving the RCR. Mark Martin came to Hendrick for the 2009-2011 season and now Kasey Kahne inherits the No. 5 for the next few years. Mears went from RCR to Key Motorsports in 2010 but then subbed for the ill Brian Vickers at Red Bull Racing for the remainder of the year. Starting in 2011 Mears became the driver of the No. 13 GEICO Toyota for Germain Racing.

Time will tell what's ahead for everyone involved as the 2012 season gets underway in Daytona with the 54th annual Daytona 500.

But ...

What if Rick Hendrick & Hendrick Motorsports hadn't kept Casey Mears over Kyle Busch in 2007 when signing Dale Earnhardt Jr., would the two still have been watched as closely and compared by others, would Busch still have taken jabs at Junior when he struggled and changed crew chiefs or would the two have been able to coincide on the same team with no problems?

@cruetten I think KB would've become an even bigger PR disaster at HMS because he would've constantly tried to outshine Jr's star.

@dougthethird Kyle would still be there, Kasey wouldn't, and RCR would still have 4 teams

Monday, February 13th 'What If' Question

Blame it on the milk and cookies.

Had it not been for that now infamous meeting at Hendrick Motorsports between Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus following the 2005 season the two most likely wouldn't have gone on their incredible five-year championship run. The reason is at the time the No. 48 team was going through some internal turmoil and the relationship between Johnson and Knaus wasn't what he once was, they no longer were seeing eye-to-eye.

After blowing a tire in the season finale at Homestead, finishing 40th and failing to overtake Tony Stewart for the '05 championship tem owner Rick Hendrick sat the two down. It was time to put it all out there and get over whatever problems they were having. And yes, they literally had milk and cookies as Hendrick told them if they were going to act like children he was going to treat them like it. The plates even had mickey mouse ears.

The two hashed it out and the team stayed together instead of splitting up like rumors seemed to indicate. A few months later Johnson went out and won the 2006 Daytona 500, with Knaus at home after having been suspended earlier in the week when the car failed post-qualifying inspection. Johnson went on to win a few weeks later at Las Vegas, then Talladega before earning his first win at the Brickyard and Martinsville on his way to his first NASCAR championship.

Everyone knows what happened in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 before Tony Stewart came along again in 2011 when Johnson finally had a bad year, at least by the standards that many have become accustomed to. While it's impossible to think that Johnson and company will never win another title, his five year title reign will be remembered the most. That was the time when he seemed invincible, untouchable and everyone's biggest nightmare. He'll go down in NASCAR history and if there's anyone would could match the feat it would be himself.

But ...

What if there was no milk & cookies meeting for @JimmieJohnson & CKnaus before 2006, would their 5yr title run still have happened?

@HarpAmyStabler I think that a championship might've happened. But, maybe not a 5 yr stretch run.

@rcracer20 best ? yet. think chad would be gone and no titles, think chad/gordon would have been unstoppable #ihate24

@cruetten i think if that meeting and every other star hadn't aligned just as it did, there wouldn't have been a five-year run of Cups.

Sunday January 30th 'What If' Question

Two days after Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson won his fifth consecutive championship and as many still tried to wrap their arms around the concept, team own Rick Hendrick decided to grab some more headlines.

Hendrick announced major changes in his organization for the 2011 season. Three of his four drivers - Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin - would be picking up their driving seat and moving to different teams. Earnhardt Jr. would now be paired with Gordon's team led by Steve Letarte and be driving old 24 cars. Gordon would be moving to Martin's old team led by Alan Gustafson and would be driving old 5 cars. And Martin would be moving to Earnhardt Jr.'s old team led by Lance McGrew to drive old 88 cars.

Everything but the drivers and the sponsors stayed the same. While many were quick to try and point out the change was made because of the continuing struggles of Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick made it clear that he was not satisfied with the performance of any of his teams in 2010. Johnson was the only HMS driver to win a race and in May Hendrick said he felt that Joe Gibbs Racing had caught and passed his organization.

For Earnhardt Jr. he hasn't won a race since June of 2008 and missed the Chase in both 2009 and 2010. Gordon has been winless since April of 2009 but did make the Chase in those two years. Martin has been winless since September of 2009 when he made the Chase but then he too missed it in 2010.

Hendrick decided he wanted to do something fresh, something to give the company another shot in the arm. In doing so he rocked the NASCAR world and made sure there was plenty to talk about during the offseason and heading into the 2011 Sprint Cup Series season.

From the drivers themselves to the media and down to the fan, the opinions of what's in store of HMS this season have been widespread and widely documented.

But ...

What if Rick Hendrick didn't make changes to 3 of his 4 teams, what would you be expecting from Dale Jr, J. Gordon & M.Martin this year?

@cruetten: a mediocre year for Jr, an impressive final year for Martin, and possibly a championship for Gordon.

@StrokerAce90: I'd be expecting Jr to argue with his crew chief, Gordon to give Burton payback & M.Martin to help JJ win a 6th Championship.

Adam Amick (via Facebook) What if Dale, Jr. was worth a crap as a driver? What if Steve Letarte didn't make so many bonehead calls over the past few years? What if Mark Martin had quit when he said he was and someone else (Brad Keselowski) was in the seat? What if Jeff Gordon hadn't hired Jimmie Johnson in the first place? What if? What if? What if? But to answer your question: If there hadn't been any changes, there wouldn't be any changes... (See above)