Hendrick: Earnhardt can win the title

Earnhardt is currently third in the standings and is the best placed of the Hendrick drivers in the championship.

In a year that has not been as successful for the team as last year, when they won half of the races, Hendrick has been surprised by how quickly Earnhardt and his crew chief have adapted to their new environment.

"I kind of thought, and I was concerned early on, with the new car and all, that it would take a while to get he and Tony (Eury Jr) kind of clicking in the groove, and actually he's carried the banner for us," Earnhardt Jr said.

"They have done an outstanding job, and Tony Eury Junior fits right in and Jeff and Jimmie and Casey work well together."

Just as the season is about to hit the summer, Hendrick expects Earnhardt and his crew to raise their game now that their first win is out of the way and lead the team towards their third consecutive title once the Chase for the Sprint Cup starts.

"We've got a lot of work to do, but you know, we want to win the championship," Hendrick added. "And I think these guys you look at their record so far, they can win the championship.

"I think our company has a history of coming on at the end. I mean, we feel like that we are always working hard and we're deep in depth of people.

"Usually when the summer comes around and we get into those last ten, even looking at Casey last year and where he ended upcoming through the points. We just seem to be good second half.

"So, I'm looking forward to the momentum building and I'm just real proud of these guys. I think they have got a real shot to win the championship, and we're going to do everything we can to give them the tools to do it."

With eleven races to go before the Chase starts, Earnhardt would be tied for fourth place at the start of the series' 'playoff'.