What’s Wrong With Junior?
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May 31, 2008
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He left Dale Earnhardt Inc. after last season, signing with Hendrick Motorsports, where he would have access to the best technology and the best teammates in Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.
Still, Earnhardt hasn’t won.
You would think that would hurt his standing among his legion of fans, who put all of his red No. 8 gear into mothballs and bought all of his new white, green and blue No. 88 gear.
“They all switched,” Earnhardt said with a laugh.
Earnhardt, it appears, has become more popular than ever.
He has been the most consistent driver this season other than points leader Kyle Busch. Earnhardt is third in the standings heading into Sunday’s Sprint Cup Best Buy 400 at Dover International Speedway.
He’s in solid position to make the Chase for the Cup, which he has missed in two of the past three seasons. He has five top-five finishes and nine top-10s. He has led at least 12 laps in each of the past seven races.
“We’re running in the top five [practically] each week,” Earnhardt said. “I’m satisfied with the way we’re running. The wins will happen when they happen.”
Earnhardt has generated more than $150 million of quality television exposure for his sponsors, almost $24 million more than the runner-up, Jeff Gordon.
Earnhardt fills a much different role, especially with non-racing fans. This only adds to his appeal.
Some might see Earnhardt as a showboat. Some have questioned his dedication to racing. That includes his stepmother, Teresa, from whom he split at DEI.
His new teammates have discovered the opposite.
“He jokes about all the work we put in and says, ‘Man, I’ve never worked this hard in my life,’ “ Johnson said. “But this is what you do when you’re at Hendrick Motorsports. And he’s taken on the challenge.”
Besides, Earnhardt wouldn’t be so successful without being dedicated. He surpassed the $50 million mark in winnings this season and has made at least that much in endorsements.
