Does Dale Jr. have enough fire in his belly?

By Mike Smith (contact)

Friday, March 20, 2009 | 9 p.m.

I think I’m experiencing Dale Earnhardt Jr. fatigue. It’s not that I don’t like or respect Dale Jr. I find his honesty to be refreshing. When he speaks, I know I’m hearing the real Dale Jr., not corporate talking points given to him by a public relations executive. I also, like many NASCAR fans, have a certain affinity for Dale Jr. because I respected his father.

But when is he going to win a championship? I’m tired of waiting.

Speculating on how Dale Jr. could light a fire under his career has become a cottage industry. Some say he should fire his crew chief. Some think he should have a more aggressive, take-no-prisoners style on the track like his father had. And some speculate that his outside commitments take too much of his time and energy. But no one on the outside looking in really knows what will move this team into the championship column. Perhaps what is really missing is the guiding hand and forceful energy of his father. (See last week’s StockcarToon)

Our expectations are lofty because of the high standard of performance that comes with his last name. Maybe that’s an unfair standard to expect of Dale Jr. But to whom much is given, much is often expected. It’s what you do with what you’re given that counts. And Dale Jr. certainly has had the advantage of good equipment at times throughout his career. If he can’t snag the Sprint Cup in a Hendrick car, then maybe he can’t get it done.

I want to see him win the championship because I like him as a driver and I think it would be a great, emotional high point for the sport. We were all hoping that once he had escaped the chaos of the former Dale Earnhardt Inc., he would perform like a ball being shot from a cannon once at Hendrick Motorsports.

He just needs to do what it takes to win. Get a new crew chief. Reduce the number of commitments. Tie your car to the back bumper of the No. 18 machine. I hate to quote Larry the Cable Guy, but it’s time that Dale Jr. “GET-R-DONE!!!”

Dale Jr.'s season hasn’t gotten off to a great start and that’s not entirely his fault. The team has had some bad luck. But when I see Dale Jr. being interviewed before each race, in addition to his customary honesty and down-to-earth attitude, I’d like to see some fire in his eyes.

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