What Needs to Change to Close the Deal with the No. 88 Team?

Over on the Inside Racing News. com site, Allen Madding points out a fascinating and keen observation about the crew chiefs for the No. 1 of Martin Truex Jr., and Dale Earnhardt Jr..

Both crew chiefs might be able to start out with an excellent set-up, but their ability to keep up with changing track conditions leaves something to be desired.

From Dale Jr. having harsh words with Tony Eury Jr. a few weeks back to this last weekend when Martin Truex Jr. was asking for some changes, and being told to shut up and drive by his own crew chief, Kevin Manion.

Allen says Manion needs to be swapped out for someone who will respect the driver more and expects Dale Jr.'s chief to be able to adapt, much like their garage mates do repeatedly every weekend.

What I see is a common denominator between the two teams: Despite their present teams, they both come from the DEI stable where I suspect they've develop this way from exposure to certain attitudes that have trickled down from the business end of the deal.

DEI has alienated everyone around them from the garage and in their own shop and they just don't see it. Rather than understand the problem and work it, they hire new blood from outside. As if that can still help the core of the issue.

Yes, I've been saying for a long time that Tony Eury isn't a bad crew chief. They've managed to get in the chase and stay in the top 5 most of the season. But they can't close the deal. I think it's a learned mentality that needs to be fixed because the old school system isn't working in the closing laps anymore.

As far as Manion goes, he needs to understand who breads his butter and who he needs to communicate with. Shut up and drive is not an acceptable adjustment for a changing track condition and sounds like he doesn't think it's his fault or his problem.

That's all I've got to say for the moment.