Championship week started off with a bang in Las Vegas with a victory lap, along with a burnout by each of the 12 drivers in the chase standings. There was also a rabble rousing Newlywed Game with Bob Eubanks, before the parade lap-- as well as an After the Lap question and answer session, where Jeff Gordon showed off his break dancing skills.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr., was a delight to see, after a two year absence. He had his highest finish of 7th in points, since 2006, where he finished 5th on the year.
His 25th place finish in 2009, and 21st in 2010, kept him from the seat at one of the Sprint Cup Award show tables. But for one.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was on hand to collect his ninth consecutive Most Popular Driver award, Wednesday night. His speech was that of a humble driver that his fans, known ubiquitously as Junior Nation, have come to know:
"It's an honor to win this award for the ninth year. I want to thank the National Motorsports Press Association, Wheaties Fuel, and General Mills for their role in supporting the award, and the sport.
"To Rick Hendrick and Steve Letarte, and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports--especially the guys in the 48/88 shop. It's an honor to drive such great race cars. Of course none of this would be possible without the backing of Amp Energy, National Guard, and Chevrolet. Each have a hand in elevating the popularity of the 88 team.
"As for the most popular driver award, I'm glad they didn't take the vote solely on the last race, because it would have gone to that man right there, Tony Stewart. Congratulations to Tony and Darian [Grubb] and their whole organization, on the championship. Your performance during the chase was one for the history books.
"I'm pretty sure the fans will wear this award as a badge of honor, and so they should, because the award is theirs. Their efforts allow me to be here today, to accept it. So, I want to not only thank them, but congratulate them, on winning their ninth consecutive most popular driver award.
"It's a privilege to compete in front of millions of fans every week. And the credit goes to them for all the success this sport has had since it's beginnings. Thank you."
After the luncheon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. touched on what winning the MPD meant to him.
"Running better this year. That's part of it. The one thing that's most bothersome is, the fans they put all this effort into votiing for this award. or winning this award, so you can come get and you go out on the race track and you don't do anything to deserve it you don't feel like you give them any reason to cheer.
"They spend money, invest-they show up, there's nothing to be excited about. so that's been a bit of a disappoint ment over the last couple of years. But when you do run well and consistent-- We've run pretty good this year. We're still not satisfied. But we're definitely improved. It's easier to accept something that someone is trying to honor you with.
"The fans deserve the credit. because they put forth the effort to get the award. It's their little award, their celebration. You can sort of pay attention all year long put your finger on the pulse of the fan base, and understand how much effort their putting in all year long. They get excited putting forth the effort. "
That evening, Earnhardt would go on to win a Stewie award(Presented by SiriusXM and Tony Stewart) for Driver Communication. He joked that he thought Kurt Busch would get the award. Tony Stewart, and Earnhardt Jr would share memories of the 2004 Daytona 500. Dale commented on how hard Stewart was to pass, and thought he might during the final lap.
Earnhardt would go on to pick up a 7th place standings trophy for season. He spoke with relative ease, and eloquence on the night.
"I want to thank them for all they do for keeping us going (all the sponsors). I look forward to having Diet Mountain Dew into the lineup for 2012.
"To Chevrolet, I'm always proud to run with the bow-tie. Thank you guys for your year, years of support. Other sponsors that make this possible are Quaker State, Bank of America, Time Warner Cable, Sunoco, Bosch, Siemens, Purolator, Mac Tools, Sprint and Goodyear.
"I want to congratulate Tony [Stewart]. His team's performance in the chase made it hard not to stop and take notice of the times. I'm pretty sure the fans felt the same way which means everybody in this room wins. For that, Tony and Darian, we all owe you a big thanks.
"Speaking of the fans, I want to thank everyone who spends their time, money and energy on our sport. It means a great deal to all of us and we see it as a privilege to be able to compete in front of such incredible crowds each week.
"To Rick and Linda Hendrick, it's an honor to drive your race cars. Thanks for having my back, both professionally and personally.
"To the France family, Mike Helton and entire NASCAR sanctioned body, thank you for the integrity, vision and standard you use to run this sport. You guys had a few fires to put out this season and I hope somewhere in your notes, you realized you didn't get no trouble out of me. Merry Christmas to everybody. Happy New Year. Thank you." *
Many are hopeful for a return to the Championship stage for Dale Earnhardt Jr, in 2012. More than likely his fans will be voting him to win his 10th MPD trophy. Many more are keeping their fingers crossed that he is seated at the Championship table--along with Rick Hendrick for his 11th Cup championship in the trophy case, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr's first.
*Credit to Melissa McDonald for the Cup awards speech.
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