Tuesday, March 1st 'What If' Question

It's hard for NASCAR's most popular driver to go under the radar, no matter how hard Dale Earnhardt Jr. tries.

Heading into 2011 it will be even harder now that team owner Rick Hendrick has again made changes to his No. 88 AMP Energy / National Guard Chevrolet team. In a widely discussed and publicized move, Hendrick took Earnhardt Jr. and had him pick up his driver's seat and head over to the shop that used to be the 24/48 shop. Earnhardt Jr. inherited everything that used to be Jeff Gordon's.

With that move came the move for Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin. Gordon now has everything that was once the 5 team and Martin has everything that was once the 88 team. Hendrick denied all claims that the move was made solely for the purpose of Earnhardt Jr., instead saying that he wasn't pleased with any of his team's performance in a year where Jimmie Johnson was the only HMS car to win a race.

When the combination of Steve Letarte and Earnhardt Jr. hit Daytona it was instant chemistry. By luck they sat on the pole for the Budweiser Shootout, but ended up wrecked in the garage. The next day, by speed, they won the pole for the Daytona 500, but again ended up wrecked in the garage after a practice session.

Never one to panic, Letarte told Junior not to worry they had another car. The two got to work and went out and ran strong all during the 53rd running of the great American race. Only, to once again, end up wrecked. While many will say that's nothing to be proud of, others will say looking at their performance as a whole they did everything right.

At Phoenix it was more of the same. All of the HMS teams struggled in practice and qualifying but were able to fight their way to front come race time. Earnhardt Jr. in a surprising turn of events never really lost too many spots on the racetrack and instead was fighting all day long to crack the top 10.

When the checkered flag flew he had done so and came home with a 10th place finish. Again, some will say it's nothing to be excited about but for a team that has a long season ahead of them it was a step in the right direction.

But ...

What if Dale Earnhardt Jr. did not have a flat tire at Daytona and a loose wheel in Phoenix, does he still end up with same results? #NASCAR
@mbauerherzog: No, he would have been at least a contender in both races. He may not have have gotten the win but would have been up there.

@Talon64: Top 10 at Daytona but not at Phoenix; forced Phoenix pit strategy gave him fresher tires at the end. He'd be top 10 in points

@cruetten: absolutely not--Jr's final results would've been much better! I still think before his wreck, Jr had a legitimate shot to win the daytona 500. This year Jr has the crew chief, the cars, and the confidence to win races and possibly make the Chase. He just needs a little luck...

@Jim_Yoak: What if? At Daytona YES. At Phoenix, NO. He wasn't a top 10 car until everyone else had bad luck. he was top 10 by default.

@The_Bumpdrafter: doubtful. Prob top sox or seven at Daytona. About the same at phoenix. Maybe ninth.

Stephanie Davis (via Facebook) I say no...atleast in Daytona