Lance McGrew was content with working in research and development at Hendrick Motorsports. Then he got a call this spring that would, for all intents and purposes, change his life. McGrew was named Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s new crew chief after Tony Eury Jr. was removed in May.

''I was kind of surprised, because I had a pretty good home down in research and development,'' McGrew said. ''You don't operate the way [owner Rick Hendrick] has for 25 years and make bad decisions. At the time, I was a little shocked. But when you have a guy like Mr. Hendrick who has faith in you, you will do everything you can to not prove him wrong.''

Hendrick, McGrew, Earnhardt and fans of Earnhardt Nation are hoping NASCAR's favorite driver can break a losing streak at the LifeLock.com 400 on Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet. A win would help erase what has been a rough season for Earnhardt. -- Chicago Sun-Times