What a Start!
by Amanda Jay
How about our man? How many of you thought that Jr. would be in the Top 10 during his first official test season with his new team? I’m sure there was a big majority of people that knew it would be Top 10 if not Top 5! I figured he would do fantastic just basing it off of how he did at the test last year in Atlanta. Not only was Jr. fans pumped but so was Jr. himself.
In day one of testing, we found our man in the Top 5. In both the AM and PM sessions, he was second only to Dale Jarrett in the AM and Dave Blaney in the PM. Most media members thought he would do well but everyone else knew he would be up towards the top. In day two, 88B was on top of the leaderboard with a magnificent speed of 185.820. How many were happy to see that? I know I was! In day three, known as “draft day”, there was only one long session due to possible bad weather. I’m sure Jr. was ready to go home and that he wasn’t showing what all he's got! I do believe that he was pulling the pack instead of being in the middle of it but, 88B, the only car tested, was 19th on the board with a 187.445. When standings came out to show the speeds for all test sessions combined, 1st week and 2nd week, toping the cumulative single-car speeds was Jr. on top with the magnificent speed of 185.820 from day two. That speed was not only faster then those that tested the second week but also faster then those from the first week. Which means, the newest Hendrick member was quicker then the veteran Hendrick drivers of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Casey Mears! I’d say they will have some competition!
In addition, David Green is testing for Jr & Hendrick and Jr is very pleased, see his quote.
"We did two long runs with him in drafting and he was very happy with it," Green said. "Bottom line, too, is that no doubt [Earnhardt Jr.] is one of the best restrictor plate drivers out there, and there were some things I learned today, just watching him, and listening to him, that makes me better able to understand what makes him so successful here."
Green was most enthused about the opportunity to do more work with, and for Earnhardt moving ahead in his role as Hendrick's COT test pilot, which Green has a test coming up in at Rockingham Speedway.
Now I know I can’t wait for the 500, but keep in mind there is still testing to come from Vegas and California. Not to mention a couple of races in between.
The Budweiser Shootout on February 9, less then 3 weeks away, 20 days away to be exact and the qualifying races! I can’t wait and I know you guys can’t! I have a feeling that Jr. fans will have a contending team to cheer for all year long, race per race, practice per practice! Let’s go out and win us some races and it wouldn’t hurt to start out with a win at the Budweiser Shootout!
