Over the past couple of years, I've tried to be less partisan and more general in my approach to commenting on all matters NASCAR.  Not today.  This one comes from the viewpoint of a fan.  A very ticked off fan.

What the hell is the problem with three-fourths of Hendrick Motorsports?

Earlier in the season, Jimmie Johnson and company had what for them was a massive slump... three mediocre races in a row.  How did they respond?  Johnson and Chad Knaus rolled up their sleeves and got to work.  Hard.  Cancel those plans for the off weekend.  Extra test sessions.  Everyone -- driver, crew chief, everyone -- put in the extra effort.  End result?  Back to form.  Finishing second yesterday in Texas to Carl Edwards was no shame, because absolutely no one was going to catch that duck.  You can bet the next paycheck that even as I write this, Johnson and Knaus are working on fixing that.  The #48 will not only equal, but better all of the Roushketeers on the larger tracks before the season is out.  Period.

So what's the excuse for everyone else at Hendrick?

Let's start with the afterthought.  Sure, Kyle Busch is loaded with more talent than a basketful of average drivers.  That said, he wasn't the only reason the #5 team did so well the past couple of years.  Alan Gustafson is a top tier crew chief.  The team is solid.  So why is Casey Mears an afterthought week in and week out?  Either step up as a driver, or step away from the car and let someone else demonstrate they actually belong in Cup based on their performance, not their uncle's accomplishments in Indy cars.

Next is Dale Earnhardt Jr.  "But he's in the Top Ten," one might say.  Yes, he is.  "Most every week he's run up front," one could say.  Yes, he has.

And then what happens?

While the Junior vs. Junior (as in Tony Eury Jr.) radio battles make for highly entertaining listening, what isn't nearly as entertaining is how Eury has shown an alarming penchant for making the wrong decisions at the wrong time.  Time after time.  Failure to pit late, going the wrong way on changes as the race wears on and conditions change... pick one and you've got a 50/50 chance of calling what will happen during most every race.  He needs to learn what to do with the new car from start to finish along with how to make the correct strategic call, and Dale Jr. needs to learn the 'let's yell at the crew chief' act is getting old.

I've saved discussing Jeff Gordon for last because he's my favorite driver, and his current scenario makes me the most angry out of all the above.

For Jeff Gordon to run so poorly he gets lapped once and wrecks trying to avoid going two laps down before the race is halfway done is unacceptable.  Period.  For Jeff Gordon to be out of the Top Twelve at this or any stage of the season is unacceptable.  Period.  For Jeff Gordon to be not so much winless as not having had a genuine shot at victory once this season is unacceptable.  Period.

So what are all parties concerned going to do about it?

It should be obvious to all the old way of the driver telling everyone after the race on Sunday thanks and I'll see you Friday morning at the next track no longer works.  It means you are by default being outworked by everyone else in the garage.  And in case no one's noticed, Ray Evernham is no longer sitting atop the pit box concocting wizardry that among the current crop of crew chiefs only Knaus can come close to equaling.  Steve Letarte is no Ray Evernham.  Having a driver who's too busy Monday through Thursday being Jeff Gordon to be what made Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon only exacerbates the situation.  Period.

Gordon, Letarte, and everyone connected with the #24 team needs to start emulating their at least in theory protégés on the #48 team.  I say in theory, because in practice Johnson and Knaus et al have far surpassed Gordon and Letarte etc the last two plus years.  Being the best driver is no longer sufficient to succeed.  It takes the entire team busting theirs so they can kick everyone else's.  This is not happening.  The results bear this out.  It is up to all involved individuals whether this will continue to be the case.

Do not tell us you're just as committed as ever, blah blah blah.  Prove it by doing the work.  If skating on your legacy is all you can muster, at least have the courtesy to say so.  If on the other hand you still have the fire to run for wins and championships, don't say.  Just do.  Nothing else cuts it.

It's up to you, gentlemen.