July 2, 2010

Honor thy Father

It doesn't happen often so it's important to make note of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Daytona victory in the Nationwide Series tonight. More noteworthy is that he did it driving a replica of his father's Wrangler Cup series car that he drove for most of the 1980s, right down to the No. 3 on the side. Junior has said this will be the last time he ever drive his father's number (although I still believe Richard Childress will eventually offer it up to him in the future in the Cup series).

Junior only runs a couple of Nationwide Series races a year and this is first win in that series since 2006. It is the first time he has been in any victory lane since winning at Michigan in June 2008 in the Cup series. It would be great for him and for the sport if he can pull off the double and win the Cup race tomorrow. Currently one spot out of the Chase, Junior has just one win since his May 2006 Richmond victory. He is at his best in restrictor plate races and put on a late charge to finish second in the Daytona 500 so perhaps he has a win in him tomorrow.

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