Dale Jr and Tony Eury Jr ARE back together!!!!!!!

Gator · September 14, 2005

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Incorporated announced Wednesday that Tony Eury Jr. will take over as crew chief for the No. 8 Chevrolet, starting this weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Eury Jr., who has been crew chief for DEI's No. 15 Chevrolet 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 season in preparation for 2006.

Inside the Numbers

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s career stats

Year W T-5 T-10 Avg.

2005 1 5 10 19.2

2004 6 16 21 12.1

2003 2 13 21 12.7

2002 2 11 16 17.1

2001 3 9 15 15.2

2000 2 3 5 20.9

1999 0 0 1 21.4

Totals 16 57 89 16.1

• 1999 -- Stats for five starts

• 2005 -- Stats through 26 races

ALSO

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s season of discontent is not the end of the road for the No. 8 team. In fact, he makes a case that the rest of the year will be a lot more than making laps toward vacation.

• Complete story, click here

"This is the best plan for us as a company," Eury Jr. said. "We haven't been in the same pit box this year, but we've 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."

Last weekend at Richmond, Earnhardt all but said the move was imminent.

"If me and Tony Jr. are going to work together next year, that'd be a good idea to begin work [this season] on that relationship. With the few races left, use it to work on [team chemistry]. ... It'd be good to get on track with [Tony] if that's what we're going to do next year."

With the 2005 chase contenders decided, Richie Gilmore, DEI's 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 toward 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 No. 8 team since May, will return to his position as DEI's technical director.

Tony Gibson, car chief for the No. 15 team, will serve as the team's crew chief for the remainder of this season.

tedicast · September 14, 2005