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Published Friday, March 20, 2009 | 9 p.m.
Updated Friday, March 20, 2009 | 3:55 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.
Reader poll
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.
I think I saw fire when he spun Vickers at Daytona. He may never win a championship - Mark Martin may never win, either- but I'll continue to root for both of them. These are the times that will separate the true Junior fans from the bandwagon fans and those desperately searching for the next Intimidator. Fair or unfair, very few in NASCAR have had the pressure to meet great expectations that Junior has had since 2001. Junior is his own person - a decent driver who has always been in the long shadow of his father. While I would like him to win a championship, if this is all that there is, I'm fine with that.
Well said.
then why didn't YOU write that?
And what's with this "fire in his eyes" garbage? He's got plenty of desire, he's just short on talent. I got news for you -- just because his name is Earnhardt doesn't mean he can drive. do you remember Justin Labonte and Jason Jarrett? Yeah, I didn't think so.
I seriously doubt that he will even make the chase.
It looks like he is going to have a tough day tomorrow.
Starting near back of the field at Bristol is a kiss of death.
He has to move up quickly and hope for cautions.
Otherwise he will end up a couple laps down even before halfway.
If he does start winning races by the middle of next season then his current chief is toast.
My belief that is more a problem with Dale, Jr. driving skills then his chief.
Now that Bristol has two groves, Jr. may be able to make a little headway. But I don't expect to see him in victory lane.
From starting at the rear to finishing 14th at Bristol---I'd say "June Bug" had a pretty good day.