“Really Hard to Find Positivity!” Dale Earnhardt Jr. Questions RCR’s Decision to Sack Kyle Busch’s Crew Chief

NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has shared his thoughts on RCR firing Jim Pohlman as Kyle Busch’s crew chief.

“Really Hard to Find Positivity!” Dale Earnhardt Jr. Questions RCR’s Decision to Sack Kyle Busch’s Crew Chief

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Busch (Via IMAGO)

There were multiple major announcements made ahead of the NASCAR Talladega Cup race. One such key change was Richard Childress Racing firing the No:8 Chevy crew chief Jim Pohlman over the disappointing start Kyle Busch had to the season. His Cup tenure with the Chevy giants lasted just nine races.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the latest episode of his podcast shared his thoughts on the change, as the ousted crew chief used to work form him in his second division team JR Motorsports. He addressed the claims that the Bristol radio drama involving the two caused the exit, alongside the poor form.  

There’s been a lot of radio chatter that’s become public. … That’s not uncommon. It’s just highlighted because it’s Kyle Busch, and he’s struggling unlike Kyle Busch.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said on his podcast.

It’s not the first nor will be the last time a crew chief is fired mid-season. Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself has been in the same position in the past.  It’s one of the hardest spots to be in, as there is close to no positivity from losing the leader of the team. It’s a move that is made slowly because the team is hopeful that a fresh face can help them.

I’ve been in this situation, when you make a change mid-season. It is really hard to find positivity and try to figure out how to be hopeful that things are going to improve.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. added via Dale Jr. Download.

He admitted that the Pohlman experiment wasn’t working for RCR. Despite the sample size being limited and the crew chief being one of the most passionate personals out there didn’t stop Kyle Busch‘s team from making the tough decision. Junior admitted that being an outsider, it is hard to assess the reasons for the sacking.

Jim’s an awesome, awesome guy. Very, very passionate. But now, just a handful of races into the season, it’s not working… We ain’t in the building. We don’t know what the conversations are like. … They know way more than any of us.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. asserted.

Kevin Harvick words prove Kyle Busch really needed the crew chief change

2014 Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick shared his thoughts on the sacking on the latest episode of his podcast. He highlighted how both Busch and his crew chief had very similar charters. This affected the balance of the team and Richard Childress made the bold call, as he most often does, by fixing the mistake.

Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch
Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch (Via IMAGO)

Here’s the problem I saw with this scenario: Jim Pohlman’s just like Kyle Busch. Very vocal, very rough and tumble, fiery. It never sounded like it was going to work. And we talked about this somewhere, I don’t know where, but Richard Childress not being afraid to pull the trigger when he needs to make changes.

Kevin Harvick said on his podcast.

The new No:8 team crew chief Andy Street had a strong start, as he helped Busch secure his maiden top-10 finish at Talladega. They now have momentum on their side and if he can take advantage of it, the come back is on for RCR.

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