NASCAR

Steve Letarte Should Turn Down NBC, Remain Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Crew Chief

By Shane Phillips @ShaneRantSports on October 27, 2014

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The last few seasons have been tough for NASCAR‘s most popular and well-known driver. From long droughts and runner-up finishes to living in the shadow of his late, great father, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has not seen the success many have expected from him, especially after his move to Hendrick Motorsports.

The 2013 season began to see a significant turnaround as “June Bug” and crew chief Steve Letarte really began to click. Although they went winless, the pair made the Sprint Cup Chase and posted eight top-10 finishes in the last nine races, including three runner-up spots.

After a strong finish to last season and a fifth-place spot in points, many expected Earnhardt and Letarte to be strong contenders for the championship in 2014. However, Letarte shocked the racing world when he announced that he would be leaving the No. 88 team at the end of this season and joining the NBC crew in the television booth. That did not hinder Junior as he posted his first win at Martinsville and fourth of the season.

Even though Earnhardt and the 88 team have been eliminated from championship contention under the new Chase format, the season has been a huge success. He won his second Daytona 500, swept the summer series at Pocono and earned his first Grandfather Clock at the world’s largest paper clip. All of these accomplishments have amounted to one of Earnhardt’s best seasons and should be enough for Letarte to reconsider leaving the 88 team and Hendrick’s Motorsports.

If this season’s success is not enough for Letarte to change his mind, then who knows what will. It is obvious that the duo has finally found the sweet spot and are on the verge of a championship. Since Junior has joined Hendrick, this is the success the car owner and Jr. Nation has envisioned. If I am Rick Hendrick, I offer Letarte a fat raise to change his mind, and if I’m Earnhardt, I beg the crew chief to stay. The reason: a championship with Junior’s name on it is within grasp and if he is finally crowned king, the possibilities are endless.

Shane Phillips is a NASCAR Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Shane on Twitter @ShaneRantSports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.