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Earnhardt’s last Cup win came at Richmond in May 2006, and Sunday’s Aaron’s 499, the ninth of 36 NASCAR Sprint Cup events this year, could be the race in which he returns to victory lane. He is third in points for Hendrick Motorsports and driving the wheels off the No. 88 Mountain Dew AMP/National Guard Chevrolet.
Earlier this week, Earnhardt, 33, spoke, among other things, about Talladega, his fans and the drought.
QUESTION: Do you see Talladega as your best opportunity, the best place you’re most likely to break the losing streak?
A: I guess ... you could say that. We obviously had a lot of success at Talladega, there’s no denying that. And, I feel, you know, that we’re going to have a good chance this weekend, and I’m motivated by that. Before, there were four or five years ... I definitely went into these races with a little more confidence than I would carry into other events. But this season, I’ve felt like we’ve had a shot every time we show up. But I definitely like Talladega. We’ve won a lot of races there ... got a really big fan base there, and that means a lot to me to be able to go there and run good.
Q: What kind of reaction do you expect going back there for the first time as a member of Hendrick Motorsports?
A: I think the reaction will be the same. It’s been a little bit more ... overwhelming this year than I anticipated it to be. So hopefully, when we go to Talladega, it will follow that path. We’ll have just as many people, if not more (there), excited about what we’re doing. The fans have been so good to us and so dedicated and so supportive that you go into that race feeling like you owe them to put the car out front. They came there to get on their feet, and they want to cheer and they want to see that car take the lead. And, really, that’s all you think about, and that’s what your main goal is once the green flag drops.
