Father’s recognition doesn’t bother Earnhardt Jr

Thursday, Feb. 26, 1998 | 2:43 a.m.

Following in the footsteps of a famous father can be a daunting endeavor. But Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn't seem to be fazed by all the attention being paid to him this year.

Although he drives a No. 3 Chevrolet Monte Carlo just like his dad, Earnhardt said he doesn't feel any undue pressure as he begins his full-time driving career in the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series.

"I don't have any more pressure on me than is on the next guy," the 23-year-old Earnhardt said. "My objective is to win races, that's what I was hired to do and that's what our team is ready to do. We're ready to win races and championships."

Even though his father owns the AC Delco Chevrolet he will drive in Saturday's Sam's Town Las Vegas 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the younger Earnhardt said Dale Sr. isn't that actively involved in his racing effort.

"Sure my dad helped me get in the door of racing -- heck, he gave me this ride," Dale Jr. said. "But I don't have a lot of input from my dad. Mainly, I'm working with the guys on the team.

"When I was growing up, I didn't see my dad but about 15 minutes a week because he was always off racing."

The younger Earnhardt has developed a racing reputation of his own, driving Go-Karts at an early age before moving up to the NASCAR Winston Racing Series. There, driving Late Model stock cars, Earnhardt recorded three wins and 59 top-five finishes in 113 races.

Because of his family name, Earnhardt said he had to earn the respect of his peers by displaying his driving ability on the track.

"I've been driving for six years and I've raced good, competitive race-car drivers and I feel like we've gained enough experience to be ready for '98," he said.

"You've just got to continue to run hard every week and gain respect from some of the other drivers just by good, consistent runs and keeping your act together out there and not doing anything foolish on the race track. If they see you do something foolish on the race track, they won't want to dance with you -- no matter who you are."

And how does Dale Sr. feel about his son following him into racing?

"I'd just as soon he be a doctor," the elder Earnhardt said. "I grew up watching my dad (Ralph Earnhardt, one of the pioneers of NASCAR) and I can't argue with him. I wanted to race -- that's all I ever wanted to do. He's the same way."

Earnhardt Jr. is coming off a 16th-place finish in the Goodwrench 200 last week at North Carolina Speedway after qualifying his Monte Carlo sixth-fastest. In the Busch Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway, Earnhardt finished 37th after flipping his car in a spectacular crash which was eerily reminiscent of his father's a year earlier in the Daytona 500.

* NO BUSCH LEAGUERS: Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett, Dick Trickle, Jeff Burton, Jimmy Spencer, Michael Waltrip and Joe Nemechek are among the NASCAR Winston Cup regulars who have entered the Sam's Town Las Vegas 300 Busch Grand National Series race Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Nemechek won the season-opening Busch Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Matt Kenseth, who won last weekend's race at Rockingham, also is entered in Saturday's race. Kenseth and Martin are tied for the series points lead after two races with 330 points each.

* NEW COLORS: Winston Cup veteran Ernie Irvan will park his rainbow-colored No. 36 Skittles Pontiac this weekend in favor of a bright yellow Grand Prix carrying M&M's as the primary sponsor. The special color scheme is only for Sunday's Las Vegas 400.

* WINSTON WEST: Eric Norris, the son of actor and martial arts champion Chuck Norris, hit the wall in turn four during practice for the Cactus Clash and had to withdraw from the race. Norris was unhurt, but his Pro-Long Lubricants Ford was damaged beyond repair. ... Bill McAnally of Elverta, Calif., backed into the wall in turn four, rupturing the fuel cell in his car and igniting a spectacular fire. McAnally was transported to the track's infield care center, treated for smoke inhalation and released. McAnally moved to a backup car and started the race from the 26th position.