Many NASCAR fans are fond of the Earnhardt family, especially the late, great Dale Earnhardt. He won seven championships, numerous races and money, and built an awesome brand for himself. His son, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., has yet to experience the same type of success thus far in his career. He has no championships to his credit in the Sprint Cup series, and hasn't won a race since 2008.
It seems Jr. keeps coming close and contending, but cannot finish. He has several top 10 finishes so far in the early season, and a couple of second place finishes. Nonetheless, Jr. still cannot get over the hump.
This winless streak was never more evident than last year's Coca Cola 600 in Charlotte, NC. He historically doesn't race well in the city where he has a house and owns a club uptown, Whiskey River. However last year it appeared Jr. was well on his way to snapping the streak. He tragically failed to gas up on his final pit stop with a comfortable lead. He consequently ran out of gas on the final lap and Kevin Harwick passed him to take the checkered flag.
He is constantly reminded of his streak and that infamous race. He and his team has been in Charlotte the past two weeks for the All Star Race on Saturday, May 19th, and then for the Coca Cola 600 on Sunday, May 27th. Winning would certainly remove several monkeys from his back.
He is certainly trying to build his own legacy and branch out as a successful NASCAR driver. Unfortunately, it is difficult to follow a great driver and legend such as Dale Sr. Currently, the pressure seems to be weighing the younger Dale down.
A win, preferably this weekend or soon thereafter, would at least draw him closer to being a great driver and not just the son of one. He could then start resuming his strategy to win the Sprint Cup.
He certainly deserves to win. Dale Jr. is truly the young engine that could. Now I feel he is at a crossroads. He can either be his own man, and turn this thing around, or he can fade into mediocrity. The choice is his.
There is one sure thing: this year's Coca Cola 600 will be one of the most interesting in recent NASCAR history. All eyes will be on Jr. Can he get that coveted win this racing season?
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