After an abysmal 2005 campaign. Dale Earnhardt Jr, NASCAR's most popular driver, looks to return to championship contention. After finishing 11th at California, Earnhardt Jr sits fifth in the Nextel Cup standings.
The struggles that Dale Earnhardt Jr endured in 2005 practically eclipsed all other major storylines. NASCAR's most admired driver by far was expected to solidly contend for the Nextel Cup Championship. Instead, Earnhardt Jr found himself barely clinging on to a spot in the top 20 in the Nextel Cup standings. Who would have guessed that Earnhardt Jr would have finished behind Joe Nemechek and Brian Vickers in the final 2005 Nextel Cup standings?
Throughout the 2005 season, Earnhardt nation fervently awaited a turnaround in performance, hoping that Earnhardt Jr's lackluster results were evanescent, but it wasn't until the fall race at Atlanta when we saw the Earnhardt Jr we were used to seeing. In fact, the only thing that comforted some Earnhardt fans was the fact that his biggest rival Jeff Gordon was suffering through similar difficulties. I guess misery loves company!
When the season opened last February at Daytona, Earnhardt Jr, who traditionally dominates races held at Daytona and Talladega, seemed less confident than usual. A week later at California, Earnhardt Jr suffered through miserable race. Ultimately, he would finish in 32nd place and 13 laps off the pace. Frustration was evident when he criticized NASCAR on their decision to cut an inch off the spoilers after the 2004 campaign. That race at California set the stage for what was arguably the worst season in Earnhardt Jr's six-year career.
As the season progressed, noteworthy finishes seemed few and far between. His only win of 2005 was at Chicagoland in July, and he won by virtue of pit strategy. His most impressive run of the year came at Atlanta in October as he led 142 laps, which were 115 more than he had led all season prior to that race. Many accredit the #8 team's convalescence to the chemistry that Earnhardt Jr has with his cousin/crew chief Tony Eury Jr.
So far in 2006, Earnhardt Jr hasn't set the racing world on fire, but his on-track performance far surpasses last year's at this time. He led the most laps in the Daytona 500 and finished 8th. A week later at California, he was able bring home the Budweiser Chevrolet in one piece by finishing 11th. Yeah, an eleventh place finish at California for Earnhardt Jr is something positive. As we head to Las Vegas next week, Earnhardt Jr sits 5th in the Nextel Cup standings. The 1.5-mile tri-oval has been a thorn in his side for several years now, so this could be his first true test.
Even though it's still very early in the year, Earnhardt nation is smiling a little wider than they were 365 days ago.
