Earnhardt admits he struggled with staying real. He wanted to take the high road throughout the separation process from Dale Earnhardt Inc., but he didn’t always “feel what (he) was saying” at times, even when it would have been easy to release his “bad vibes and thoughts” in the media.
Certainly what was difficult to disguise was his disappointment in not winning a race for the first time in his Cup career. After all, he is an Earnhardt.
“I’m pissed off I didn’t win a race,” Earnhardt said. “That’s going to bother me for a while. That bothers me every day. I think about it every day. Otherwise, I was proud of my performance, my team’s performance. I think I should win. I really was proud of my team for their work ethic. That was cool. But not winning, that’s going to bother me.” Lee Spencer, FoxSports.com
He took offense when it was suggested that his new owner, Rick Hendrick, didn’t expect him to win right away.
“Bull crap,” Earnhardt said. “I’m expected to win every year I’m in this sport. I mean, I’m an Earnhardt. That’s the way it is. I’m deeply disappointed in being winless last year. I’m shocked. That’s why I want to race tomorrow. David Newton, ESPN.com
| 
|