Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Earnhardt Says JRM May Turn To Veteran Driver

JRM's Kelley Earnhardt-Miller
Just days after the JR Motorsports NASCAR Nationwide Series team released longtime Competition Director Tony Eury, Sr., and crew chief Tony Eury, Jr., team co-owner Kelley Earnhardt-Miller spoke candidly about the decision to part company with her uncle and cousin.    

“It’s been a tough week,” admitted Earnhardt-Miller. “But we’re not looking back. We’re looking forward. Decisions like this are never easy to make, whether it’s family or not. It’s even more difficult when there is family involved, and you obviously take that into consideration. But unfortunately, the business must continue to move forward. 

“We haven’t performed the way we want to,” she admitted, adding that on-track success is just one of the yardsticks she and brother Dale Earnhardt, Jr., use to measure the team’s progress. “This business is performance based, but it’s not just about drivers and cars and what they do on the race track,” she said. “Performance includes leadership within the organization and working with the resources we have to be the best we can possibly be. It’s managing the employees and providing them with leadership and direction. (It’s) utilizing the resources of Hendrick Motorsports. There are so many things that go into the whole package.  

“We want to improve all of that.” 

Earnhardt-Miller said she has been the target of public criticism since the changes were announced, and called that criticism misinformed and unfounded. 

“I’ve read a lot (on the internet) about how we should change our drivers, or change this and that,” she said. “But if you’re not here every day to see what’s going on, it’s not really your right to judge, since you don’t have all the facts to put it together.  

“There are more than 65 employees here who work hard to put good race cars on the track,” she said. “We have to make decisions that are in the best interest of all those 65 people, and this company. We can’t let one person cause us to waver. There’s got to be a total buy-in on this program and what’s happening here; improving and promoting the company and leading by example. If we don’t have that total buy-in from everyone, we’re not going to get very far.” 

Earnhardt-Miller said one of the team’s main goals is to discover and nurture new driving talent. 

JRM owners (L-R) Earnhardt-Miller, Rick Hendrick and Dale, Jr.
“Our company has always been about going out and doing well with rookie drivers,” she said. “We did it with Brad Keselowski, and while I know (drivers like him) don’t come around every day, that’s what this company was built on. It’s about giving drivers like Cole Whitt and Danica Patrick a chance to do this.  

“What’s been difficult about this season is that we’ve had two rookies in our cars. With rookies, their feedback is not as helpful as when you have a veteran to throw things back and forth with. That has been challenging, but Dale is not passionate about this unless he has someone he can put on the race track and help become successful. That’s what he likes to do, working with rookies. He wants to be able to (help) some kid reach their dream.” 

She admitted, however, that JRM may have to re-examine that mission statement in an effort to become more competitive in the future. 

“I have no idea who’s going to be in the 7 car next year,” she said. “But with a seat opening up, maybe we need to look at the opportunity to put a more seasoned driver in the car. We’ve got a lot to figure out, for sure."

Despite the team’s struggles, Earnhardt-Miller said she remains devoted to her team and its employees. 

“We just had our annual JR Motorsports Family Day last week, and we gathered everyone together at a place in Mooresville and rode go-karts and played in the arcade,” she said. “I looked around at all the families and kids, and realized how glad I am that we can provide a work environment people love coming to, and that gives them an opportunity to provide for their families.  

“It’s a big responsibility, and hard decisions sometimes have to be made. But at the end of the day, it’s something that I love.”
 
Photos: JR Motorsports, Autostock

24 comments:

  1. Isn't Elliot Sadler currently looking for a top ride in the nationwide series? I know the rumors have him going to JGR next year but this sounds like a good fit, plus he gets to stay in the chevy camp

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  2. mike drews12:19 AM

    Could be a good spot to bring back the Dinger!

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    1. Anonymous10:59 PM

      I say put AJ Allmendinger in the 7 car next year! He is a Driver..

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  3. Kenny Wallace in the 7! Sounds like a good fit to me.

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  4. How about someone like Mike Skinner or Kenny Wallace? Both of them are fan favorites and grizzled veterans.

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  5. Anonymous9:31 AM

    She's devoted to "her" team and its employees? When did JRM become KEM?

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    Replies
    1. She owns as much of the team as her brother does.

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    2. Joe Giles4:59 PM

      Plus didn't Dale Jr put her in there to run the day to day stuff anyways. Kelly has been runing the team ever since they opened it up before the merger with HMS.

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  6. Karen Soucy9:58 AM

    Kelley, do not listen to what all those people or even some fans say!! You and Dale know what you are doing and I for one can't see what is around the corner! One thing I love about Dale IS his passion and part of that is helping young drivers. Are they top-knotch? No, probably not......but, you can't get to be if not given the chance. I think you and Dale are doing an AMAZING job and you both should be Proud of everything you've done thus far!! Like Momma always said....."If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" SOME people REALLY need to practice this more often. Dale and you keep your Passion alive and keep moving FORWARD, not backwards!! A True Earnhardt Fan Always!!!

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  7. i hope kelley reads this internet comment. i was in shock and saddened by tony jr and sr being let go. to have family have such a big part in a family business for so long , helping it grow to what it is , is a blessing. i'm just a fan though so i'm sad for the eurys. however i'm not stupid enough to actually have the nerve to question kelley and dale. i hate the haters online that feel the need to bash and hate on people. they have no clue how a race team is run (or any other business) OR about the people they are hating on. when i see some of the ignorant comments about danica or dale...i can't believe we have so many people in this country that are really stupid enough to come up with some of the stuff they say. i'm loyal to chevrolet just like jrm and hendrick. i follow danica's in-car camera & radio from start to finish. most people do not understand the hard work and everything involved to be competitive. they would be shocked if they knew.i raced late-model sportsman for 10 years,just the local 1/4 mile. i wish people actually understood what goes into running a professional race team. i can only imagine,but i'm intelligent enough to have respect for those who do. nobody has the scrutiny like kelley and dale have. theres not a bigger high profile team. i don't get why people can't just let dale do what he has the talent and passion for. racing is what the earnhardt family is about. its a family passion and from what i understand,kelley had as much talent driving as the other earnhardts if not more ! it took courage to make such an unpopular decision,that i'm sure weighed heavy on the family. whoever is driving for jrm , i will support and wish well. i love kelley and dale. i admire them for where they're at after what they've been through. i'm sorry they have to take so much shit from some "fans". i'm sure the majority are real like myself. danica and cole have done very well and will continue to do better and better. danica's performance at bristol still has me on cloud 9 !! its awesome to be a part of her career even though its just through race buddy lol. actually indycar is my passion (to follow) being from indiana, and having attended approx 35 indy 500's in my 53 years. i'm still kinda pissed at danica and tony for leaving indycar and for jeff gordon not going there 20 years ago haha! enough babbling...best of luck to jrmotorsports and a super successful future.

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  8. Michael in SoCal10:21 AM

    I say put AJ Allmendinger in the 7 car next year!

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  9. Anonymous11:47 AM

    Sadler won't have a ride next year.

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    Replies
    1. I'll take that bet!

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    2. Schreib2:46 PM

      You crack me up Dave! Love your insight, and i'd take that bet too!

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  10. Anonymous11:53 AM

    Well said, Kelley.

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  11. Anonymous12:37 PM

    Ricky-Bobby maybe??

    Rick in indiana

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  12. KY Boy2:36 PM

    If they can make a few changes (The smartest ones have already been made), I think Cole Whitt could have a breakout season next year. I own my own small business, and I've made some VERY unpopular and questionable decisions over the years. Im still in business and not workin for the man!! Good move JRM and good luck!!! GO JUNYA!!!!!!!!!!!

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  13. Anonymous2:53 PM

    Fine. I'll do it.

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  14. Anonymous3:09 PM

    Bring in the Digger or Kenny.

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  15. Anonymous4:06 PM

    Boy..Kenny Wallace would really good driving that #7 JR Motor Sports Chevy next season....A SEASONED DRIVER for sure!!

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  16. Love JRM and all they stand of. Life is tough. Lots a good people having to make hard decisions. Got to change with the times or get left behind

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  17. Dale Jr asked Kelley to help him run JRM when he first started and she is and always had done a fine job - she is now one of the most powerful women in Nascar - between her and Dale Jr they will make a good/right decision - I hope Jr can win the Chanpionship this year - wud B so deserving and great to see - Good Luck Dale Jr - ..GO 88 GO..<

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  18. Anonymous5:20 PM

    Put Jeffrey Earnhardt in the car!

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