Video: Dale Earnhardt Jr. talks about decision to part ways with Eurys

21 Sep
2012

On Friday, Dale Earnhardt Jr. spoke publicly for the first time since the decision earlier in the week to replace Tony Eury Jr. as Danica Patrick's crew chief at JR Motorsports. A week earlier, the team parted ways with Tony Eury Sr.

Junior said that the decision to part ways with Eury Jr. — an original partner in JR Motorsports — was a mutual one. He also said that his plan for JRM for 2013 would be two full-time cars running for the title and then himself in a car for 3-5 races. To hear Junior's comments directly from the source, give the play button a push.

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Just over a week after Tony Eury Sr. and JR Motorsports parted ways comes more surprising-but-not-really news: His son, Tony Eury Jr., has also left the company. Eury Jr. was both Danica Patrick's crew chief and a part-owner of the company.

"Unfortunately Tony Jr. is no longer with the company," Dale Earnhardt Jr. said in a statement. "I had hoped he would be here for a long time, but as we've discussed the direction of JR Motorsports moving forward, it was clear our differences in ideas were too vast to overcome.  I love him like a brother, and you'll never hear me say a bad thing about him.  I know he'll have much success in anything he does going forward."

That's got to be tough for Earnhardt, but as the weeks wore on this season, it became clear that something was very off at JR Motorsports. The question, of course, is what. Let's speculate a bit: JR Motorsports revolves around Danica Patrick, and Patrick has, to put it charitably, not exactly lit the track on fire this season. (That's what's called a "softball" for you commenters.)

Could a difference of opinion on Ms. Patrick's value and potential be the cause of the rift between the Earnhardts and the Eurys? It's certainly possible. Tony Eury Sr. said at the time of his departure that the team needs more proven Cup-level drivers, and whatever millions Patrick may generate, she's not yet a proven Cup-level driver.

Regardless, it's a tough day for fans of Earnhardt. Watching the team from this point on without the assistance and advice of the Eurys will be interesting indeed.

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End of an era: Tony Eury Sr. out at JR Motorsports

07 Sep
2012

RICHMOND, Va. - Surprising news at Richmond, as JR Motorsports has announced that Tony Eury Sr., director of competition, and the company have agreed to part ways in what a press release called an "amicable" fashion.

Senior, known as "Pops," is Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s uncle, but even that relationship couldn't save his job. The JR Motorsports teams simply have not competed on a high level; Cole Whitt is seventh and Danica Patrick is 10th in the Nationwide standings.

Still, Eury's pedigree (55 wins in the Sprint and Nationwide Series), longevity (28 years in NASCAR) and family connections made the move a surprise. The team has not won in more than two years; its last victory was in September 2010 with Jamie McMurray driving.

"The conversation Tony Sr. and I had was one of the most difficult I've ever been a part of," Kelley Earnhardt Miller, general manager of JR Motorsports, said in a statement unusual for its revealing nature. "I believe Tony Sr.'s passion for the sport is exceeded only by his yearning to excel in it, and that itself became the issue that both he and I struggled with. At JR Motorsports we do this to win races and compete for championships, and lately we have not met that standard. Being the competitor that Tony Sr. is, I know that bothers him more than anyone." Kelley, Dale and Tony Eury Jr. are co-owners of the team.

"I want what's best for Dale Jr., Kelley, Tony Jr., and all those employees. I really do," Eury Sr. said in the statement. "We accomplished a lot in a short time, and nobody is prouder of that than I am. I'm not sure what's next for me, and I'm not sure I'm in a hurry to find out."

Eury Sr. was on the box for Earnhardt's two Nationwide series wins. "I can't think of anyone who has impacted my career and development as a driver more than Tony Sr.," Earnhardt said. "We won a lot of races together, and as much as he impacted my career as a race car driver, he means more to me on a personal level. He's done a lot for this organization, and I thank him for it."

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