Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is 35, has been the most famous driver in Nascar, and most beloved by fans, over the past eight years, and yet he has almost vanished from sight in Nascar winner circles. He has not won at Nascar’s top level since 2008. Last year, his worst ever, he finished 25th out of 72 Nascar drivers in the final standings... more
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I found a couple lines from the article particularly interesting.
“Jimmie hardly ever makes a step without thinking how it’s gonna affect his racing. But I don’t believe in living like that. I’d have to become a different person. I’m not willing to devote that much to it.”
Thus, Jimmie's won four straight and Junior runs mid-pack.
Junior loves restrictor-plate races and will always do well at them - like his old teammate Michael Waltrip, interestingly enough - he's got that "see the air" talent for drafting, no doubt.
"I wanted to get out from under being Dale Earnhardt’s son.”
Still trying, it seems. I honestly think that will never happen until the day he retires, unless he wins a title. The only exception that might help in my opinion? Go drive for RCR and run the 3 car. Work it out, literally.
I don't care for "Junior Nation" per se, but I feel for the guy and I wish him well. I actually kinda pull for him more than I might like to admit, but I don't see it ever happening for him.
I've been watching Jr flounder again this year with great interest. Now that RCR has landed Budweiser as a sponsor for the #29 car of Kevin Harvick I think that we'll see a new star rise to the top and steal lots of Jr's fan-base. When Tony Stewart took the reigns of the #14 car he was welcomed back with the warmest hug ever. Who welcomed him back? Chevy. They did so because he has the broadest appeal of any driver on the market because he single handedly covers the entire Midwest and beyond. That's something that no other driver currently offers. Chevy deeply missed Stewart when he left to drive a Toyota. Fans were left wondering who should receive their support. It could have easily gone to Jr. It could have gone to Kahne and the #9 Budweiser car. Instead it remained aloof until Stewart found his way back home. Now that Budweiser has landed a 3-year, 60 race minimum deal with RCR and the #29 car I think that Jr Nation will once again find themselves on the loosing end.
Jr is mediocre - at best. He's got a built-in fan base that's better for him and his owner than Paul Menard's built in sponsorship is for Paul and RCR or any other team.
Jr. will never measure up to Sr. Nor should he. Sr was one hell of a driver that drove with purpose. Jr. on the other hand drives because he can. And it keeps his bank account super-fat all the while.
I'll never be a Jr. fan. No matter what.
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