NASCAR: One Question Facing Each Driver Ahead Of 2015 Season

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (HMS) – Will losing Steve Letarte hurt Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 88 team?

2014 brought with it tremendous success for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 88 team.

The year began with a win in the Daytona 500. That win put Earnhardt Jr. in the chase and lifted the pressure off of his shoulders. Earnhardt would then win two more races before the chase as well as one race during the chase. Unfortunately, JR struggled a bit in the chase and was knocked out in the second round.

Heading into 2015 JR will be looking to repeat his 2014 success but he will do it without Steve Letarte who left the team. Greg Ives will be replacing Letarte this season and there is some concern as to whether or not the production of the team will fall off. Letarte was a big part of the team chemistry in 2014 and he will certainly be missed.

However, Ives should do an admirable job filling in.