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Earnhardt Jr. struggling to live up to father`s legacy
Daytona Beach, Feb 11: The first green flag hadn`t yet been dropped at the annual auto racing celebration known as Speedweeks, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. already was being asked about his inability to win the Daytona 500.
Daytona Beach, Feb 11: The first green flag hadn't yet been dropped at the annual auto racing celebration known as Speedweeks, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. already was being asked about his inability to win the Daytona 500.
"Yeah, I know," Junior replied, his tone suddenly soaked in sarcasm, "I'm already into my fourth season and I ain't won it yet."
He knew the question was coming. His name, after all, is Earnhardt. He was at Daytona International Speedway. He was surrounded by cameras and microphones and a media swarm that left no doubt about his place in his father's sport.
At age 29, three years after Dale Sr. was killed in a crash on the last turn of the last lap of the 500, Junior has emerged as the face of NASCAR.
You see him on magazine covers. You see him in music videos. You see him in TV commercials, even the big-money spots on Super Bowl Sunday.
"I could never have anticipated what's happening now," he said, "as far as where I am in the sport and all that I went through." Indeed, as recently as last year, some wondered whether Junior really wanted to race or was driving only because that's what everyone expected him to do.
He didn't seem to share his father's love or passion for the sport. He didn't always appear committed.
Perhaps, though, he was dealing with his dad's death. "What happened here in 2001 had a huge effect on all of us, but especially Dale Jr.," said Darrell Waltrip, a three-time NASCAR points champion, 1989 Daytona 500 winner and TV commentator. "I think he's still coming back from that."
As a new NASCAR season begins, the man who drives the red, No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet wants everyone to know that he has accepted his fame, embraced his sport and committed himself to winning.
Bureau Report
"Yeah, I know," Junior replied, his tone suddenly soaked in sarcasm, "I'm already into my fourth season and I ain't won it yet."
He knew the question was coming. His name, after all, is Earnhardt. He was at Daytona International Speedway. He was surrounded by cameras and microphones and a media swarm that left no doubt about his place in his father's sport.
At age 29, three years after Dale Sr. was killed in a crash on the last turn of the last lap of the 500, Junior has emerged as the face of NASCAR.
You see him on magazine covers. You see him in music videos. You see him in TV commercials, even the big-money spots on Super Bowl Sunday.
"I could never have anticipated what's happening now," he said, "as far as where I am in the sport and all that I went through." Indeed, as recently as last year, some wondered whether Junior really wanted to race or was driving only because that's what everyone expected him to do.
He didn't seem to share his father's love or passion for the sport. He didn't always appear committed.
Perhaps, though, he was dealing with his dad's death. "What happened here in 2001 had a huge effect on all of us, but especially Dale Jr.," said Darrell Waltrip, a three-time NASCAR points champion, 1989 Daytona 500 winner and TV commentator. "I think he's still coming back from that."
As a new NASCAR season begins, the man who drives the red, No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet wants everyone to know that he has accepted his fame, embraced his sport and committed himself to winning.
Bureau Report