Big E Fans and Little E Fans? How do you feel about JR. with Hendrick?

[Mark in Oshawa]

I was catching up on the volumes of columns and news from when I was out on the road, trying to see how Jr.'s defection from DEI to Hendrick was accepted. Not much has been said so far about the reaction from the fans. Much has been said about Jr. landing in a place that will give him a car to win with, and much has been said about him and Teresa not getting along, but it brings up the question: If you are a fan of Dale Jr. because you were fan of his dad, or even if you were not, you likely see Hendricks, and Gordon in particular as the "anti-christ". Or do you?

Many people HATE Jeff Gordon. I dislike him only mildly. I don't think he is bad guy, just a little guy with no personality that is discernable. He is ....pleasent. He drives the wheels off a race car, but hey, so do a few people. Jimmie Johnson I don't like really either. I don't hate him, but I wont cheer for him NOR Jeff for I just cant get into it. I respect them as guys with skill behind the wheel, but I cheer for Jr. because he is flawed, because he is a great guy, because he has a wild side to him and while he drove for DEI, I saw him as the underdog.

I like Tony Stewart for a lot of the same reasons as Jr. because of his personality flaws. Both are great guys who are often misunderstood. Now Jr. is going to the team that I have spent a lot of time NOT liking. I think Hendrick isn't a bad man, and he has suffered a lot but I dislike the way his team has in a sense ruined what the sport used to be. From what I have read however, he is a family man, he and Jr. have a connection going right back to Ralph Earnhardt being a friend of Hendrick so I guess I am happy for Jr. Not sure how much I will enjoy cheering for him now tho.

Now most of you are not conflicted about any of this. You like who you like and once you dislike someone, that is the end of it. Those who HATE the 24 and 48 likely cheer for the 8. Well, Jr. is sleeping with the enemy after this season, so let the bile out.....

I personally, am on the fence. I still have my number 8 diecast on my desk, and the number 8 towel in the bathroom, and that wont change, but it just wont be the same. It is like finding out that your favourite star with the hometown team that cant afford the payroll to beat the Yankee's just SIGNED with the Yankees. It just aint right ya know?

[BenRoethig]

If said I wasn't disappointed, I'd be lying. I'm used to thinking of Hendrick as the enemy. However, they probably are the best team out there at the moment and it is his best chance for a championship, equipment wise. I don't think there is room for three championship caliber guys on that team though. I think Johnson and Gordon will eventually push him to leave or one or both of them will. I would have preferred him going to RCR, but I respect that he doesn't want to live in his father's shadow.

[Old3Fan]

I would have preferred him going to RCR, but I respect that he doesn't want to live in his father's shadow.

I agree with you and if you want to be a winner than you try to go to the best team and that would Hendricks. I hope Jr. finds success with his new team.

[Sparky1329]

I'll always be a Big E fan but I'm not much of a Dale Jr fan. That said I like the kid and think he's has grown up to be a fine young man. I think it was a smart move for him to go to HMS since he wants to win. IMHO he has a much better chance of doing that at HMS than he did at DEI. He's the guy who has to be happy about where he works. If he's happy I'm happy for him.

If he'd like to take his number with him I do wish Dragon Lady would ask NASCAR to reassign the #8 to HMS. It means nothing to her without him and it's a special number to him.

[call_me_andrew]

If he'd like to take his number with him I do wish Dragon Lady would ask NASCAR to reassign the #8 to HMS. It means nothing to her without him and it's a special number to him.

No, it's not a special number to him. It may have been special to Dale Sr., but not Jr. It's just a number.

[Old3Fan]

I think if Hendricks wants the #8 fo Jr. then Nascar will issue it to them next year. Its better for Nascar with Jr. in a red #8 car than for DEI to have someone in an any color #8 car.

[BenRoethig]

5 has been with Hendrick since the beginning and the 25 was Tim Richmond's number. Unless Johnson is going to switch, I don't want to see the 8 over at Hendrick.

[muggle not]

No, it's not a special number to him. It may have been special to Dale Sr., but not Jr. It's just a number.

Disagree. The #8 is certainly a special number to jr. That is why he has asked Hendricks to pursue bringing the number to HMS.

I would like to see a trade. the number 5 for the number 8.

Initially, I was not a fan of Jr as I thought he was a spoiled young kid. i remember in the early days when he threw a party and his crew even did not show up. Nowadays I am a big fan of Jr as he has grown and also developed into a great talent. I am also a fan of Jeff Gordon and am glad to see them together. I was never a fan of Dale, Sr although my other half was.

[Mark in Oshawa]

Junior without the Eight is sorta like Steak without onions or mushrooms. I am used to seeing that 8 and I identify it with Jr. Of course, there is a silly Hut Stricklin fan out there I am sure who misses him in the Eight.

I didn't cheer for Mark Martin any less in the Daytona 500 this year because he was in a Chevy rather than the number 6 Ford. I guess I will get used to it, and I may have to like Rick Hendrick a little....but I wont be cheering for the 24 and 48. A man has to draw the line somewheres....

[harvick#1]

I hate jooyner. espcially now when he signed with the ultimate cheat