NASCAR Driver Profile 2010: Dale Earnhardt Jr
Dale Jr to Be More Involved with Teammate Mark Martin to Go to Next Level
While Hendrick teammates dominated NASCAR Earnhardt Jr finished 25th.
The frustration for Earnhardt Jr stems from the fact that, while his fellow Hendrick Racing teammates finished in the top three in the final NASCAR Sprint Cup standings, Earnhardt Jr finished 25th. Not only did Earnhardt Jr finish 25th in the final standings he only finished in the top 10 in three races in 2009.
Earnhardt Jr has vowed in several interviews this season that he will improve on his dismal record of 2009. The sad fact is it won't take much to improve on the last two seasons Earnhardt Jr has been with Rick Hendrick. Earnhardt Jr has been wrestling with doubts and inconsistency for three plus years now and it is apparent it is wearing on him.
Most popular driver in NASCAR history?
Dale Earnhardt Jr has exceeded the popularity of his own father, Dale Earnhardt Sr. and even the King himself, Richard Petty but the question most NASCAR outsiders ask is why? Most casual fans are under the impression that Earnhardt Jr must be the most successful driver in NASCAR, when they see 50 percent of all the commercials on the NASCAR telecast star him.
It is possible that Earnhardt Jr had been taking on too much. His NASCAR Nationwide team had showed success in 2009, with Brad Keselowksi finishing third in the final standings and winning races. At the end of the season Keselowksi with no where to go in the Hendrick organization accepted a ride with the Penske Racing team and left Earnhardt Jr's operation.
Earnhardt Jr signs IRL star Danica Patrick to race a limited schedule.
Dale Earnhardt Jr was involved with signing female Indy Racing League driver, Danica Patrick to race a limited schedule for JR Motorsports in 2010. That will be where most of Earnhardt Jr's involvement will end in JR Motorsports as he steps back and lets his sister Kelly Earnhardt run the operation for 2010. Earnhardt Jr will have limited involvement while he focuses on his own NASCAR Sprint Cup career.
The similarities between Danica Patrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr are interesting. Both are the most sought after interview at every track and event they attend. Both transcend their sport and are popular outside the walls of the race community and both have had little or no success reaching the winners circle in recent years. Both will be out to prove their popularity is warranted in 2010.
Daytona is a great place for Earnhardt Jr to get off on the right foot.
Daytona is a track that Dale Earnhardt Jr use to dominate just as his father Dale Earnhardt Sr had dominated there in years past. The track represents good and bad for Dale Earnhardt Jr, it is the track where his father lost his life and a track where he feels most comfortable.
Three to four years ago on a restrictor plate track like Daytona or Talladega, it was Dale Earnhardt Jr with the best chance to win and then everyone else. Earnhardt Jr was the master of the draft, just like his father. If Earnhardt Jr can recapture that magic, he can get back on top at Daytona without much effort. The Hendrick cars are always strong at Daytona and the engine package is perfect for the track also. Now it is just up to Earnhardt Jr to let it all work for him.
sources:
www.nascar.com
www.speedtv.com
www.espn.go.com
Published by Todd Jacobs
Todd Jacobs is from Anaheim, California and resides in the city of Las Vegas. Todd worked for Orange Coast Magazine as News Editor in the 80s and recently began writing for several online sites including:... View profile
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3 Comments
Post a CommentMy correction on Hendrick's comment he said,"You Can't Destroy the Chemistry That Is Already There."
Kay, it's gonna take time for his team to heal, but remember he and Lance McGrew are working great with each other, I notice the difference when Jr was at DEI he had a negative attitude over there, but now he is with HMS, things started to click, Jr has improved a lot over the past 3 years with HMS, despite his 2009 season, with that doesn't matter to me. He will win again, like Rick Hendrick said, "You can destroy the chemistry that is already there" and I agree with him, it's like putting a new guy on a team with no experience and everyone expected him to do great but started out Fantastic, but then the next season he had a terrible year, but MOST fans don't give a driver a chance they just kick him out and leave him behind, I am really annoyed for people not giving an chance like Hendrick is, which I am seeing that things are turning around for JR and will make the 2010 Chase for the Championship.
He spent a lot of time on pit row last year, but the other drivers on his team are doing great. Not sure why he's got so many fans, my hubby being one of them. Since the fire two years ago, he's not been the same.