First, second, third ... 25th. That's where the four cars of Hendrick Motorsports finished the 2009 NASCAR season. That 25th, of course, belonged to the No. 88 car of Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- not exactly what we pictured when we paired a championship-caliber driver with the consensus best team in the garage.

After his second season with his new team one thing has become pretty clear: Hendrick Motorsports has gotten better than it was when the partnership began, but Dale Jr. has gotten worse. And as much as we talk about chemistry between a driver and a crew chief, as much as we remind everyone that NASCAR racing is a team sport, I have to lay the blame for this debacle at the feet of the driver. Right now, it's on Junior.

If Junior were lagging a little behind his teammates, that would be one thing. If he weren't the only Hendrick guy struggling that would be another. But there are five other Hendrick and Hendrick-affiliated teams: Junior's teammates led the points race, and the other two, the Stewart-Haas cars of Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, both made the Chase even starting from scratch this year.

I'm sorry, but there's just too much of a disparity, and too much consistency from the other cars, to blame Junior's struggles on the equipment and the guys who prepare it.

Is it really possible that the Hendrick way works for five other race teams but not for the 88 squad? Is it really likely that five other teams can get their car handling well enough for their driver to race with it, but Junior's team just can't do it? I don't think so. In 2009, driver 88 didn't do a very good job. And in 2010, he'll have to do better.

When Dale Junior made the decision to join Hendrick, he knew what he was getting himself into, saying explicitly that he wouldn't be able to blame his team if he didn't run well. He recognized clearly that the pressure would be squarely on him, but he was confident he could get the job done.

Now that confidence appears to be gone, and his words appear prophetic. Sometimes his car will be fast for a run or two then fade. Sometimes he'll be going well, but wreck. Sometimes he just looks like junk from start to finish.

Slideshow   NASCAR crashes Sparks fly and cars spin out wildly when NASCAR drivers get into accidents. NBCSports.com

Junior's still popular, but he wouldn't be human if his results didn't shake his confidence. And as 2009 came to an end, that snowball appeared to be rolling downhill still.

Around Rowdy, I'm known as the biggest driver apologist. I never blame the driver for anything. If a guy wins and runs up front, you know he's good, I like to say, but if he runs in the back, that doesn't necessarily mean he's bad.

Nobody can win with bad equipment. But isn't it obvious that Junior has good equipment -- good information, good notes, good personnel, good teammates?

Clearly Dale Jr. has ability. His past results prove that. But right now a driver who's been very good in the past -- and great at tracks like Daytona, Talladega, Phoenix, and Richmond -- isn't very good.

It's ironic that in 2009, when Hendrick Motorsports had its best season, Junior had his worst, not only running six spots lower in the points than ever before, but also carding his worst career finishing average at 23.2.

So if Dale Junior wants to be more than popular in 2010, he'll have to do a better job behind the wheel. Most of the time it's just not that simple, but this time I think it is.

Bass Masters is a co-host of Rowdy.com. For the best NASCAR community on the internet go to Rowdy.com.

SportingNews.com NASCAR Number: 347 Notebook: Edwards gets breathing room in Chase race Harvick's gamble pays off with Michigan win On this day ... August 15 Even in a 1-year deal, Kahne will help Red Bull

Also on NBCSports.com Beyond the Arc: No. 11 Mich. St. takes big step forward Chandler: Jeremy Lin was special even in 8th grade What NFC teams need this offseason  |  And AFC DeMarco: Dodgers could become a contender Follow us on Twitter: @NBCSports  |  And Facebook