Talkin’ ‘Bout Teams: Hendrick Motorsports- So Much Horsepower, So Much Hunger

(The first in a series of team previews on Bump Drafts.)

It’d be easy to become complacent in the Hendrick garage. I mean, imagine being Rick Hendrick. You’ve got more hardware than Lowe’s in your trophy case. On your team you have a 3-time defending champion, a 4-time champion legend, the most popular driver in NASCAR, and the most respected driver in the sport. If there’s a NASCAR equivalent to the New York Yankees, it’s Hendrick Motorsports. They get the best equipment, the best people and they get the best deals- because they can.

Yet, with all of this greatness assembled in one garage, there’s very little resembling complacency. Every driver, including the champion feels like they have something to prove.

For example, the insanely popular Dale Earnhardt Jr. should be very pissed off right now. Commentator and former driver Jimmy Spencer labeled Junior’s season “a failure.” Other critics with less credibility have said as much as the same. Earnhardt is eager to prove he’s deserving. Junior  would be the first to tell you he didn’t come to HMS to win just one race and make the Chase. In many ways, “Lil  E’s” season was a humongous improvement over 2007, his last season at DEI. Still- fans expected more, Dale expected more, and quite frankly, I think Hendrick expected more.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. crew chief Tony Eury Jr. has been made a scapegoat by some for failing to get the set-ups his cousin needed, for failing on mid-race adjustments, for failing to stand up to Junior when he needed a kick in the butt. Heck- while we’re at it- Eury probably failed to stop the recession. Whether all that’s true or not Mr. Hendrick knows, and one can be sure Eury’s being watched.

Junior needs a return to that winning pre-2005 form. Heck, NASCAR Nation needs Junior to have a good season.

Jeff Gordon is eager to prove he’s still got championship chops. 2008 marked Gordon’s first winless season since his rookie year of 1993. A tribute to his ability was making the Chase at all, and managing a 7th place finish- in spite of some bad luck and some piss poor set-ups and some ponderously bad luck.

Speaking of crew chiefs on the hot seat, Steve Letarte is another one feeling the heat. More than a few fans are calling for the head of “Pop Tart” on a platter. On a Christmas video on his website, Gordon assures fans off-season adjustments have been made for increased performance.

2009 will be a key year in determining whether or not the winner of 81 races still has it, or whether he’s going the way of the T-Rex.

Speaking of old stuff- Mark Martin is eager to prove that the greatest driver never to win a championship is indeed a champion. I mean, who wants to go down in history as NASCAR’s answer to the Buffalo Bills? “The Kid” has finished second 4 times, thanks largely to the legendary Dale Earnhardt, though he’s won 35 Cup races and is the Nationwide Series all-time winningest driver with 47.

We’re told this will be Martin’s last full-time season, so it’s fish or cut bait time. Not since his days at Roush has Martin so well-equipped to win.

Better stock up on Junior’s Amp Energy drink Mr. Martin. There’s a heck of a difference between running 26 and 36 races. BUT- by every indication- you’ve found the fountain of youth.

Jimmie Johnson is eager to prove he is one of the greats. Not just for this decade, but for all time. He’s well on the path- with a historic 3-peat and 40 victories to his credit in just 6 seasons. Still, when you consider that’s half of Gordon’s victory total, it will take sustained performance to get there. Fortunately for the 33-year old, he’s got lots of time left, a genius for a crew chief and loads of focus.

Lots of folks would rather see someone else hoisting the Cup in 2009, but this “King Of The Mountain” won’t be knocked off quietly. In fact, I’m not sure he doesn’t win a 4th, though the law of averages is against him.

Yes- Hendrick Motorsports is a lot like the New York Yankees- they have talent, depth, deep pockets and a hands-on owner. Thank God for the HMS gang that Hendrick in nothing like George Steinbrenner, who once fired a secretary for not bringing a sandwich fast enough.

When it comes to forecasting the 2009 season, it’s not a reach to say the champion will likely come from Hendrick.

I expect all four to make the Chase. Maybe I’ll go a little out on a limb- o.k., a lot, by saying Mark Martin gets his title. Why not? What’s stopping him?

CREDITS: (Dale Jr. photo courtesy of aranem. Gordon’s by Siska. Martin’s by Walter G. Arce. Johnson by RaceGirl24NEPA. More of their work may be found at flickr.com).