2009 OPer Awards: Worst NASCAR Crew Chief

December 29, 2009

Let me lodge my official protest of the name for this OPeR. I want it on record that I lobbied for “Most Disappointing Performance by a NASCAR Crew Chief”.

Worst NASCAR crew chief doesn’t fit the purpose here.

That said, my pick of Steve Addington edged Steve’s choice of Tony Eury Jr, for whatever this award. Award?

I’m not sure who to blame. But in football, it’s usually the quarterback. And in racing, the crew chief.

Kyle Busch dominated the NASCAR statistics everywhere in NASCAR except in Cup. Kyle got a pass and Addington got the boot.

Written by Charlie Turner · Filed Under 2009 OPeR Awards, NASCAR, On Pit Row | Leave a Comment

2009 OPer Awards: Worst NASCAR Team

December 27, 2009

I’m sorry Junior Nation. Your boy’s team sucked in 2009.

The Hendrick Motorsports team was the exception that made the rest of that organization’s dominance of Sprint Cup 2009 season seem sort of mortal.

But the combination that was the no. 88 Amp Energy-National Guard team was like the old “Gang that couldn’t shoot straight”.

Who knows where the blame should go. Dale Earnhardt Jr gets way more than his share. But it didn’t cost him his job. Tony Eury Jr got a bunch of the flack too. And a pink slip.

Written by Charlie Turner · Filed Under 2009 OPeR Awards, Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR, On Pit Row | Leave a Comment

2008 OPeR Award: Worst Crew Chief

January 1, 2009

I was surprised at the unanimity of agreement on this one. I guess it points out, in a way, just how much pressure having NASCAR’s most popular figure - Dale Earnhardt Jr - as your driver.

Tony Eury Jr DID get Junior and his no. 88 Amp Energy Drink/National Guard Chevy into the Chase for the Sprint Cup. They won a qualifying race at Daytona, the Budweiser Shootout and the first 2008 race at Michigan International Speedway. That is not, by my definition, a failure of a season.

But I voted right along with Steve and Marc and Matt. Better win it all in 2009 Tony.

Written by Charlie Turner · Filed Under 2008 OPer Awards, Daytona International Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports, Michigan International Speedway, NASCAR | Leave a Comment