#3WideBlog Opinion: Why Earnhardt Jr. Is Strong Early

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   As a fan of Dale Earnhardt Jr. I find it tough not to write about him all the time. Though I have only been writing this blog for a short while, he certainly wouldn't have given me much to write about in the last few years. But lately as a fan on Sunday, I have been on the edge of my seat watching Dale Jr. somewhere in the top-5 or 10 with a relevant chance to win. You can see the confidence oozing from him in post race interviews, and pre race interviews.  So in a world of "what have you done for me lately" Here are some stats, and here's what I think has changed for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to fire him out of the gate this year, and why I think it will continue.

   In the last 5 years Dale Earnhardt Jr.has not traditionally started off well. In 2007 he posted finishes of 32nd, 40th, 11th, 14th, 7th, and 5th in the first 6 races. Average finish was 18.2 position. In 2008 (the year of his last win at Michigan) his first 6 races were 9th, 40th, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th, with the average of 10.8 being brought down by the 40th place finish at Fontana. 2009 was abysmal, 27th, 39th, 10th, 11th 14th and 8th were the first 6 race results, average being 18.2. I am betting at this point you can see a trend. 2010 and 2011 are similar with 14.5 place and 11.2 place averages respectively. Both years see a best finish of 2nd place in the first 6 races but worsts of 32nd and 24th.

  Fight through the statistics and its easy to see why 2012 looks to be a good year. With finishes of 2nd, 14th, 10th, 15th and two 3rds it is the best first 6 race average (7.8 th place) of the last 5 years . In fact I believe the best of his career. He is currently sitting 2nd in Sprint Cup Series points, 6 points back of leader Greg Biffle and 6 points ahead of defending champion Tony Stewart. Earnhardt Jr. has led laps in 3 of the first 6 races this year and his current laps led total of 75 beats his entire last years total of 52.

DaleJr.com

  I believe a couple things at the shop have changed as well that has also helped Jr. have success at the beginning of the year. Days after Jimmie Johnsons 5th championship in 2010, Earnhardt Jr's team owner Rick Hendrick switched the crew chiefs. Steve Letarte moved from Jeff Gordon’s #24 team to lead Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the #88 team. Hendrick also has the 48 & 88 shops move in together in an effort to make Earnhardt's team as competitive as possible for 2011 and beyond. In my eyes both moves have worked. In 2011 Earnhardt Jr. made the chase for the Sprint Cup for the first time in 2 years and finished 7th in the standings, a vast improvement from 25th and 21st in the 2009 and 2010 standings. 

DaleJr.com

   In that time he has also developed a great personal and professional relationship with Steve Letarte on and off the track that is crucial to on track success. You can see this confidence in pre and post race interviews even after pit road mistakes and miscommunications. Talks about what was good about the day and how it can be improved. No more monotone Jr. in interviews going through the motions. As a fan of his it is great to see all of this come together for him. It is great to tune in Sunday and see him up front and racing competitively again. 

  As Earnhardt inches closer and closer to his first elusive win since Michigan 2008, I can only hope for myself and the rest of #JrNation that it all keeps clicking. With 1 win, 3 top-5's, and 10 top 10's in his career at Texas it is looking good for him to keep it up. I hope.

Until next time Smitty OUT