Dale Earnhardt, Jr. -- Just the Facts, Ma'am.

I've read a lot of articles, and heard a lot of opinions lately, on how Dale Earnhardt Jr should race, and live his life. One came recently from a fan, and I use that term loosely,in reference to this person--I'm here to offer a rebuttal.

It has been said one too many times, that he has been deeply affected by the tragic loss, of his father, 10 and a half years ago--and better yet, the accident that nearly took his life, seven years ago. What people don't seem to understand is the fact that while this race car driver is the most popular, he is also a human being.

I have heard the statements made from Kyle Petty, that he lacks focus, because Dale Earnhardt Jr, jokingly stated that he was more worried about his fantasy football standings, over where he was in the points. This is coming from a race car driver who won eight races in twenty years. I would have to say that the pot, is rather capriciously calling the kettle black. Jimmy Spencer, and his crying towel has said the same thing. One race won under his belt. I don't know if it's jealousy, or something else, lacking in their lives, making for such loquacious statements.

The one that galled me the most, was this blog written in an open letter style, to Dale Earnhardt Jr. He said in not so many cognizant words, that he was, and I quote, "scared to race, because he fears death." My favorite, is that he had to get right with God, and find religion, to become a better racer. He brought up atheists, and them sticking to their beliefs, but they don't believe in any spiritual deities, at all.

Furthermore, the track record as of late has to do with parts failure, and inconsistencies by the crew chief. I.E: A loose wheel in Dover, and in Charlotte, as well as inconsistent pit strategy by the crew chief. These things are human error, done by the left and right rear tire changer.

Up until Michigan, Dale Earnhardt Jr was in the top 5 in points before that race. By the way, here's what happened:

In Michigan, Dale was running in the top ten, when Mark Martin squeezed him to the wall, costing him a decent finish. A DNF in Sonoma was caused by, you guessed it, Tony Stewart wrecking Brian Vickers. Dale was just in the wrong place in the wrong time. Daytona-- He was wrecked by the 1 car, as they came across the line, thus him finishing 19th. Kentucky, that car was never on the positive side. All of Hendrick Motorsports' cars did not finish well on that track.

To continue, in Loudon he finished 15th. Indianapolis, 16th. That was when the adjustments, made for a tight car, and it wouldn't turn going into the corner. You know how tight the summer heat can make a car. You also know how a slick race track can get your car into the wall.

In Pocono, Dale Earnhardt Jr picked up where he left off, before Michigan, with a ninth place finish. He drove like as aggressive that day, as I've ever seen him. Since then, I haven't seen anything different about the way he races. He can only race a loose car one way, and that's forward. He can only race a tight car, another way, and that's backwards. Or at least it used to be. I've seen him sling a tight, yet drivable car to the low side, and the middle groove, to pass cars. He's made it work for him, because, again, he's had previous experience. They've often called Dale the best at driving junk. He went all of last year with no DNFs. He and Matt Kenseth were the only drivers to do so. Even defending champion Jimmie Johnson, can't hold that esteemed record.

In Richmond, he was wrecked on lap 8, and the driver, crew chief and crew, came together as a team, to get that wrecked car competitive. He got angry enough at Travis Kvapil, to put him in the wall. For the people who say he doesn't drive like his father, well there's your answer to that. His father raced hard, but clean, unless someone upset him. He finished 16th-- Happily making the chase.


Dale had a load of experience with cars that drive like heaps, in the last couple of years, thanks to the undesired tutelage of one Lance McGrew. That can kill anyone's confidence. Just to say Mark Martin is 20th in points right now. Five positions shy of where Dale ended the season, last year.

In retrospect, I ask the media, and blowhard fans alike--before you make snap judgments, about who he needs to "be right with," take a look at the stats, and the facts of the year, before you tell someone how they need to live, or run their career. It seems to be suiting Dale Earnhardt Jr just fine, living a life, according to his rules. Isn't that what we all desire?