Earnhardt nation is a real entity. They are the biggest spending, most deeply devoted fans in NASCAR and are usually the first to defend Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Knowing this, I’m about to anger the ENTIRE Earnhardt nation by tackling an issue they and, by all appearances, Dale Jr. himself, don’t want to talk about. The issue: needed change in the 88 camp.

Earnhardt Jr. left DEI two years ago and signed a multi-million dollar deal with Rick Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports with the expectation being that, given Hendrick’s proven equipment, technology and database of information, that Junior could do what he had not been able to do at DEI - win consistently and annually compete for the Sprint Cup.

But what does Dale Jr. and Hendrick have to show for the move? One Daytona non-points win, one Daytona Gatorade Duels qualifying win and a single points win at Michigan - ALL last season.

This season? Two top ten finishes, a team mired back in 19th in points AND, most importantly, being winless.

That last point became more emphatic Sunday when 50 -year old Mark Martin, driving for arguably Hendrick’s fourth best team, became the third Hendrick driver in victory lane this season following Jimmy Johnson and Jeff Gordon. Three out of four tams with victories in only eight races would be great for most teams. Except when your fourth driver happens to be Dale Earnhardt Jr.

I hate to say what I’m about to say. Anyone who knows me, knows the respect I have for Dale Jr. and his family. But the truth is the truth - it’s time for Jr. to jettison his cousin Tony Eury Jr. and let Hendrick put someone else in that crew chief box for the 88.

I know Earnhardt values family above most everything else. But Dale Jr. needs to remember that he has a commitment to Rick Hendrick to keep as well. And he needs to remember that Mr. Hendrick brought him to HMS to win races - not just to sell T-shirts and hats.

I like Tony Eury Jr. He’s a great guy and can be a successful crew chief. But it’s obvious that he and Junior are not having the success that his father and Jr. had as crew chief - driver back in the early part of Dale Jr,’s career.

A new number, new sponsors, new data, better equipment. The only things not new and improved since Junior came to HMS are his crew chief and his won - loss record. So that suggests two things. Either the driver lacks talent, which certainly isn’t the case, or the crew chief isn’t the right fit.

Hendrick has the resources to put a very knowledgeable person on top of the 88 pit box to develop Dale Jr.’s potential He also has plenty of places to move Tony Jr. to where he can develop his potential as well. The move needs made now - not later- for both their sakes. And HMS’s.

That’s how I see it from the other side of the desk. See ya!