When Tony Eury Jr. was removed as Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s crew chief in May, he didn’t even watch a NASCAR race for at least two weeks.
But now Eury is back as crew chief for Brad Keselowski’s No. 25 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet Sprint Cup team. Eury is glad to put the drama of his removal behind him.
“It was really cool to just get away, but I’m glad to be back here at the racetrack,” said Eury, Earnhardt’s cousin. “We’ve talked and it was emotional for both of us. (But) in no way shape or form am I going to let this sport get in between me and Dale Jr. It was a job and I enjoyed being around Dale Jr., but he’s family and we go deeper than this racing deal.”
Since the two moved over to Hendrick Motor Sports from Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2008, there have been huge expectations put on NASCAR’s most popular driver.
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Earnhardt last won a race in June 2008 at Michigan and hasn’t won since. He made the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship in 2008, but in 2009 Earnhardt is 21st in the Cup standings. Gary Post Tribune
Fans will be watching to see which man comes out on top Saturday, something Eury understands. But he’s not buying into it.
“I’m not here to outrun Dale Jr.,” Eury said Thursday. “I’m here to help Brad, get him more seat time and help him do well.”
For Eury, it’s a new world. No expectations, no pressure. All those worries now fall to Lance McGrew, who replaced Eury as Earnhardt’s crew chief last month.
“It had just run its course,” Eury said of his long partnership with Earnhardt. “It was time to try something different. We both tried so hard. I did everything I could to make Dale Jr. successful. It just wasn’t enough. I’m satisfied with everything I did.”
Now Eury is free from the constant scrutiny that goes with the territory when working with Earnhardt. Saturday night could be the most relaxed he’s been during a race in a long time.
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“I’m glad to be in a position to have a little fun,” Eury said. “We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
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