Dale Earnhardt Jr Predicts a Hendrick Motorsports vs Joe Gibbs Racing Battle, Warning Them About Kyle Busch; He Also Adds a Wild Card Contender to Playoff Prediction

The NASCAR New Hampshire race holds a significant place in the hearts of all participants due to its notorious flat turns that present a formidable challenge for drivers and crew chiefs alike. Moreover, with only seven races remaining before the playoffs, stage points carry immense weight for drivers vying for the regular-season championships. As of now, it appears that William Byron has taken the lead and is the Championship favorite. However, the beloved Dale Earnhardt Jr has a different perspective to share.

Amidst the “bubble battle” and the race to secure crucial points and a spot in the top four, Dale Jr has unveiled intriguing insights that offer a slightly distinct take on the matter.

Who does Dale Jr think has a better shot than the Hendrick Motorsports star?

The New Hampshire race unfolds over 301 laps, punctuated by stage breaks at laps 70 and 185. With four wins already to his credit, William Byron is widely expected to secure a coveted spot in the final top four. Yet, Dale Jr. has an alternative viewpoint.

In a conversation with Mike Davis, on his podcast, “The Dale Jr. Download,” Dale Jr. expressed his uncertainty about whether Byron truly deserves the title of favorite and posed the thought-provoking question, “If Byron isn’t the championship favorite, then who is?” 

According to Dale Jr., his personal pick is Martin Truex Jr. Elaborating that part, Dale Jr. reflected, “We’ve been two weeks, and now he [Truex] is not on anybody’s radar anymore, but as we were going into Chicago, he was the hottest thing in the circuit, man!”

“And I think he had a pretty good run going the other night at Atlanta, and Kyle Busch obviously with 3 wins, but he’s hot and cold depending on the track, and I don’t know what the pattern is and whether it means he’ll be great at Pheonix or not when it matters.”

Adding to that, Dale Jr. highlighted Brad Keselowski‘s remarkable improvement from the previous season. He also mentioned Ryan Blaney as a potential dark horse who could be a significant contender for the championship.

As Dale Jr. put it, “I picked Ryan Blaney to win the championship, and still, I am not ready to change my mind just yet. When we go to Pheonix, [Team] Pensky has been good there. And I think if Pensky Car can get into the final four, I am feeling good about my pick earlier this year about Blaney.”

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Rewinding the tape: Dale Earnhardt Jr’s profound foretelling of Martin Truex Jr’s future

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Junior and Truex share a long-standing friendship, with Earnhardt playing a pivotal role by launching his buddy with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Earnhardt possesses an intimate understanding of Truex and his former crew chief, Cole Pearn, who achieved four victories together in the past. Drawing from his knowledge, Earnhardt made a prediction regarding their future endeavors.

On SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, in 2018, he stated, “I’ll predict they’ll both stick together and they’ll end up in the 19, more than likely. So I think they both complement each other, and I believe that Martin Truex Jr. is as good as anybody in the series. But without a great crew chief, no driver is going to be as competitive as they could be and reach their potential. So they both complement each other, and I think they’re a good package.”

Earnhardt further foresaw Truex’s eventual move to Joe Gibbs Racing, considering the partnership with Furniture Row Racing at the time. He anticipated this shift would pave the way for Daniel Suárez, who was then piloting the No. 19 Toyota.

As history unfolded, Pearn guided Truex to the coveted Cup championship in 2017. And with that, it is evident that Martin Truex has consistently enjoyed the unwavering support of his friend, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

When assessing the present scenario, it becomes apparent that Martin Truex boasts an impressive average finish of 5.8 in his last five races at New Hampshire, whereas Byron settles for a decent 13.8. Among the competitors in Monday’s race, Kevin Harvick stands alone as the sole driver to have clinched top-10 finishes in all five recent New Hampshire races.

Notably, Keselowski, Logano, Hamlin, and Martin Truex Jr. have each secured top-10 finishes in four out of the last five races. Considering these statistics, it is reasonable to acknowledge that Martin Truex does stand a chance to mount a comeback in the upcoming race and potentially surpass William Byron in the future.

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