Dale Earnhardt Jr. will likely never fully emerge from the shadow of his father, one of the greatest racecar drivers in history, but this week Dale Jr. will have an opportunity to accomplish a feat his dad never did--sweep Daytona.
Earnhardt Jr. will be gunning for a sweep both Daytona races in a single season this weekend, a feat that's only been accomplished five other times in history. The most recent sweep was just last year, when Jimmie Johnson did it, but prior to that Bobby Allison was the last to sweep in 1982.
Earnhardt Jr.'s had a magical season so far, erasing the stench of his multi-year winless streak and frustrating ups and downs. Those close to him are crediting a renewed focus on his craft, and a heightened connection with his team for the success.
"Sitting in meetings and being around him as close as I am with our situation of the No. 48 and No. 88 being in the same shop, I see a guy that knows his race car better than ever; and a guy that's focused on all the details," Jimmie Johnson said.
"He's thoroughly involved, is much more open and communicating on a far deeper level than I've seen him, especially when he started at Hendrick Motorsports."
Earnhardt's developed leadership skills as well, helping the entire Hendrick Motorsports team rev up while other teams wane. "As my years go on, teams slow down when the communication stops. And his team has gotten faster and faster and he is more talkative and involved and engaged and sits in meetings with notes and setup sheets. He's really in the game," Johnson said.
2014 is the first season in which Dale Jr. has won multiple races since 2004, and has already registered nine top-five finishes.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
