Hendrick unfazed by Dale Jr challenge

Hendrick scored a major hit by signing NASCAR's most popular driver earlier this year but it remains to be seen how his team will embrace Earnhardt Jr, his cousin and crew-chief Tony Eury Jr and all the baggage that comes with recruiting such a high-caliber driver.

Earnhardt's signing could break the near perfect balance that the team currently have, which has allowed them to dominate the 2007 Nextel Cup season in unprecedented fashion, winning 18 out of the 36 races of the year with their four drivers, and taking one-two in the points with Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon.

"I don't see that as any more of a challenge than I had this year or we've had," Hendrick said. "I've talked to Jimmie, and Chad, and Jeff Gordon and all of the guys in it, and they've already started to work together. Tony Junior has been there. I don't foresee any problems at all.

"I think the pressure's on me, because of his fan base expecting him to do well. And I said it before, if he does well it's because of his talent. If he doesn't, it's going to be my fault. That's kind of the way it works when you have multiple cars."

Dale Earnhardt Jr already tested for the first time with Hendrick a few weeks ago at Atlanta. He had the chance to start learning about his new team while reuniting with his DEI crew chief Tony Eury Jr, who has been working for Hendrick since early October.

Hendrick believes that Earnhardt's transition into the team will be a very smooth one, even if he anticipates some ups and downs. He says he has full support from the other three drivers in the team to integrate Earnhardt into the Hendrick system.

"I don't see that as we've been through a test," Hendrick added. "He was there. He's contributed. These guys have welcomed this deal with open arms. We all decided this was something we should do and could do.

"So I've got their support. It's not like this is something that we're going to have a bunch of hiccups on. I just don't foresee it. I think it's going to be fairly smooth, and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Earnhardt Jr has joined Hendrick Motorsports hoping to claim his first ever NASCAR Nextel Cup Series title. This year he failed to win a race and had a tough farewell season with his long-time team Dale Earnhardt Inc.