rpm.espn.com: Nadeau needs a little luck

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Wednesday, January 23
Nadeau needs a little luck
ESPN.com

We asked our users whether Jerry Nadeau could fulfill his potential and challenge for a top-10 finish or if we've already seen his best. Here are some of the comments:

Jerry has the potential of winning multiple races if he can get his qualifying back to the caliber he had in 2000. When he starts in the back he seems to find a wreck. As mentioned in his spotlight, if Jerry would be more of a pool stick and not a cue ball he'll make a name for himself in Winston Cup.

Ethan Jackson
Daytona Beach, Fla.

Jerry Nadeau has a lot of promise left in him. He has proven himself as a challenger at the high-banked, fast ovals like Atlanta and Dover and on the road courses. However, what he really needs to focus on are the short tracks and the shorter flat tracks. Once he conquers these track, look for Nadeau to become a contender at the front of the Winston Cup pack weekly, and for a stage spot at the banquet.

Matt Demey
Harrisburg, Pa.

Nadeau will succeed this year. If he gets the backing from Hendrick that Gordon gets, he should finish in the top 10. He should have won Atlanta, that was a shame. I see a lot of press and fan support for other drivers that haven't had the success that Nadeau has had. I don't think the guy gets the respect he deserves.

Rick Woods
Stamford, Conn.

I expect Jimmy Johnson to overshadow Jerry Nadeau and Terry Labonte. Personally, I think Jerry is an excellent driver (especially road courses) but sometimes the chemistry is not there -- look at Ricky Craven. His situation was a little different at Hendrick (with the post concussion Syndrome) but he seems to be fitting in much better with Cal Wells' team. I look for Jerry to do well at Atlanta, but where else can you say he's good? That is a sign of inconsistency.

Sean Comiskey
Quincy, Mass.

Don't expect a top-10 season run out of Nadeau any time soon. Any driver that spins out by himself as much as he does, needs a lot more help than just bolstering his team. Sure, Nadeau may win a race but his driving style is not well-suited for consistency. Quite simply, he's too much of a spaz behind the wheel.

Ed Daly
Boston

Don't forget that Nadeau 'lost' his crew chief for the first races last year. I think that totally messed up the chemistry and the learning process. I think if Jerry remains patient as he was in the middle and end of last year look out. Nadeau also needs to improve his qualifying position. Jerry had to pass too many cars too many times.

Horace Mcconnell
Grove City, Ohio

I don't think we've scratched the surface yet with regard to Jerry Nadeau. He's shown us that he can win a race and run well but the consistency issue keeps cropping up. There's also the problem of being a member of the afterthought portion of Hendrick Motorsports. I hope he and his team can build on some late season positives but his crew can't ever again allow him to run out of gas. That was a real heartbreaker.

BJ Gadola
Poconos, Pa.

Jerry is a good driver. I don't care what Hendrick says about all three of his teams getting the same equipment, that's a lie. Rick Hendrick should just admit that it's all about Jeff Gordon. If they had the same equipment both Jerry and Terry should have finished at least in the top 15 last year. I see Jerry winning some races and finishing in the top 15.

Khyla Smith
Detroit, Mich.

Jerry is very close to becoming a top Cup driver. With some better luck, he could have won two or three races, last year. Spencer took him out of two races he was contending for. Hopefully, he'll get more like No. 20, and other drivers will respect him more. In any event, he still is one of the classiest men in the sport.

Chris Hatch
Londonderry, N.H.

Like all teams it takes time to gel. Jerry Nadeau, Tony Furr and Hendrick Motorsports are entering their third year as a team. They have had time to work together and develop. This could very well be the breakthrough year for Jerry. Rick Hendrick has a way of seeing talent and I believe he has it in Jerry Nadeau.

Monica Houser
Paulsboro, N.J.

Jerry needs to adopt an Ernie Irvan attitude and just harness it a bit. Ernie would flat run the wheels off the car and so should Jerry, he has the talent.

Ted Main
Salt Lake City

I have great hopes for Jerry this year. Is a top-10 finish in the cards? It certainly is possible if the bad breaks go away and the team becomes more consistent. As you say, when he is good he looks top shelf. When he goes bad, it can be a long day. Let's hope this year is Jerry's breakout year into the top ranks of NASCAR.

Jim McManus
Danbury, Conn.

Jerry will definitely have a career season. If not for bad luck, he would have done it in 2001! He ran out of gas at Atlanta, lost his motor at Chicagoland, and was wrecked by Jimmy Spencer at the first New Hampshire race. Look for a top 10 in points out of Nadeau and some wins. He is the Next Jeff Gordon, watch and see!

Justin Smith
Asheboro, N.C.

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