Dale Earnhardt Jr. and former crew chief Tony Eury Jr. will be reunited in time for Sunday’s race at New Hampshire. Eury has been Michael Waltrip’s crew chief this season. Tony Gibson, Waltrip’s car chief, is likely to succeed Eury as crew chief and stay with the #15 team for the remainder of the season. Waltrip is leaving with NAPA at the end of the year to drive the #23 car for Bill Davis Racing[not announced yet, still speculated and expected]. With Tony Eury Jr. moving back to the #8 team, Steve Hmiel will return to his previous post as head of DEI’s research-and-development operation and concentrate on building the intermediate-track version of “the car of tomorrow (COT)” for 2007. Hmiel says that several organizations are participating in the process, but it was important for DEI to get a head start, “since this will be the biggest change to come along in Cup since NASCAR moved to smaller cars in ’81.”(Sporting News)(9-12-2005)
UPDATE: Tony Eury Jr. will take over crew chief duties for #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. beginning this week in New Hampshire, ESPN’s Mike Massaro confirmed with sources at Dale Earnhardt Incorporated [DEI]. Eury had been the crew chief for Michael Waltrip throughout the 2005 season but was a key member of Earnhardt’s team up until the infamous personnel swap this past offseason with DEI teammate Waltrip. Earnhardt has had a sub-par 2005 season, already missing out on the Nextel Cup’s 10-race playoffs. It already seemed in recent weeks as if Earnhardt is looking to next season, anyway. Eury Jr. stopped by his car at Michigan and helped his crew make some adjustments that Earnhardt said improved his #8 Budweiser Chevy. The two were separated at the end of last season because of their constant bickering — the two are cousins — and both have said the year apart helped strengthen the relationship.(ESPN.com)(9-13-2005)
OFFICAL: Dale Earnhardt Incorporated announced Wednesday that, starting this weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway, Tony Eury Jr., will take over as crew chief for the #8 Budweiser Chevy. Eury Jr., who has been crew chief for DEIs #15 Chevy this season, will be reunited with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. who Eury Jr. worked with for eight seasons prior. The two will be paired for the remaining races of the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup season in preparation for 2006 where they will compete together for the NASCAR championship. This is the best plan for us as a company, Eury Jr. said. We havent been in the same pit box this year, but weve been working closely as a team. Looking at where we want to be for 2006, it made sense to switch now and get that much further ahead. With the 2005 chase contenders decided, Richie Gilmore, DEIs Vice-President of Motorsports, knew now was the best time for the restructuring. After evaluating our programs for next season, we went back and looked at all the resources at our disposal, Gilmore said. By putting Tony Jr. back with Dale Jr. now, it enables us to start working towards our goals for next season. Those two can start finding their rhythm for next year, while Steve Hmiel can return his full focus on the technical aspect of our programs. Hmiel, who has been the interim crew chief for the #8 team since May, will return to his position as Technical Director for Dale Earnhardt Inc. Tony Gibson, car chief for the #15 team, will serve as the #15 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet crew chief for the remainder of this season. DEIs line-up of teams will be stronger than ever for 2006 with three Nextel Cup teams and two Busch Series teams. Chance 2, which is co-owned by Teresa Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr., is the defending Busch Series champions and currently leads in the series point standings.(DEI PR/Site)(9-14-2005)
