“Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s popularity is all about his dad. If his name were Dale Johnson Jr., he wouldn’t be so popular. He wouldn’t even be in NASCAR.” I know some of you have heard this. Heck, some of you have said it.
Today, I am not going to get into his performance, though I will be quick to point out that 18 career wins in about a decade of racing is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s 39th on the all-time list, and it puts “Little E” side-by-side with Geoff Bodine, Matt Kenseth, Harry Gant, and his dad’s old buddy Neil Bonnett. If that’s not an impressive list, I don’t know what is. I’ll also point two championships in the NASCAR Busch Series, though for the skeptic, that will never be enough. I digress.
On the matter of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s popularity, let me unequivocally clear: though a significant number of Junior fans came to their love of the driver because of his dad, it’s much, much more than that.
I ought to know. I am married into Junior Nation.
My wife is a DIEHARD Junior fan. She became a fan after the Intimidator’s death, and what she knows of Dale Sr. doesn’t necessarily endear him to her. For my bride, it’s about cheering on a young man out to try to carve out his own place in history. It’s about a guy trying to respect, yet shake loose of a legendary shadow. In a weird sort of way, it IS kind of about rooting for the underdog.
As I’ve mentioned before, I belong to a handful of online communities for NASCAR fans. I know one young lady (about 16) so eager to see Earnhardt’s fortunes improve next year, she has written a letter to Rick Hendrick imploring the owner to be sure that Junior has equipment on a par with his teammates. How about that for loyalty and passion? Whether or not her perceptions are correct is not up for discussion on this occasion. I just find the passion and the loyalty to be touching in a way. And again, let me point out- this fan was a small child when the infamous crash that took the life of Dale Earnhardt occurred in 2001. I find that she is not alone, that there are legions of teen fans drawn to Junior, and it has nothing to do with his dad.
I know of another fan in that same community with a similar loyalty who is old enough to be Junior’s mom. She didn’t get into NASCAR until a season after Earnhardt Sr. died. She likes the Opie Taylor persona, and like many others in Junior Nation, she appreciates what she sees as an honesty about the man. In this way, Junebug is like his dad: he’s not P.C., he doesn’t always use perfect grammar, and there’s a lot about him that lacks polish. She wishes she could marry her grandaughter off to Dale Jr, and frankly, I think there’s a part of her that wishes she were 30 years younger to make her own play for him. Trust me, i know the woman is not alone on that score.
Something else that catches people’s eyes is Dale Jr’s soft spot for children, especially the sick and disabled. It’s yet another way Junior bares a similarity to his dad. Don’t get me wrong, I know Earnhardt isn’t the only one. I’ve chronicled Kyle Busch’s work with orphans, what Jeff Gordon has done with children’s hospitals and the last goes on. I’ll tell you, these things resonate with me, as one whose late brother was afflicted by Cystic Fibrosis. I remember well the therapeutic effect that meeting baseball great Hank Aaron had on him- enabling my brother to forget about his struggles, if only for a moment.
Don’t get me wrong- this doesn’t mean YOU have to like the guy. The beauty of the diversity of NASCAR is there’s someone for everybody out there- whether its the California cool Jimmie Johnson, the teen sensation Joey Logano, the fiery Tony Stewart, or the sunny Marcos Ambrose. You’re entitled to wonder why a guy who’s one only two races while his teammate has won four championships in the same time span enjoys such massive adoration. I am simply submitting there’s much more to Dale Earnhardt Jr’s popularity than his name. It’s a part of it, but it’s not all of it.
You’re entitled to like who you want. So is Junior Nation. You may think he’s unworthy of the loyalty, and that’s your opinion. I’m just saying it’s high time to let Junior fans have their opinion, and recognize the driver’s popularity is more than just about his name. If you do think that way, then I’d suggest you don’t know too many Earnhardt Jr. fans.
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Jimmymac, I think you did a fantabulous job writing this and, IMO, for most Jr fans, ‘hit the nail on the head’ with this. I did notice who you were talking about as far as the fans you know as I belong to that same group. I. myself, like Dale for the exact reasons you stated. It has nothing to do with the Earnhardt name, even tho I am a dedicated fan of his dad. I like Jr for who he is and what he represents, his love for kids, his endeavors outside of NASCAR, and his ‘laid back’ style. He may be my #1 NASCAR driver but I do watch and respect all of the other drivers, especially his Hendrick teammates. There is not a driver in NASCAR I hate but there are some who do some pretty ‘bone-head’ moves on the track that may not please me but….the way I see things all drivers are human and prone to making mistakes. After all, none of us are perfect in every way.
Wonderful article. You are so right and your points are often missed by the general press as well as other drivers.
Thank you for your kind words about Dale Jr. Although I was a fan of Dale Sr, I would never have voted him as the MPD. On the other hand, Jr makes a connection with the fans that his father never made. He is sensitive, warm, and above all…honest. He is like our son or our brother. We love him without even knowing him personally. It is more than a fan/driver combination. He is a member of our family and as such we love him unconditionally and will forever.
You are living in fantasy land if you don’t think he’s popular due to his dad’s name. If his name was Steve Smith, he’d be as popular as Derrike Cope.
I’m not saying he’s not a nice guy, but he’s living off his Dad’s accomplishments.
Good points Jim. Nice story.
Great story Jim,I am forever a fan of the man #3,so I took to Junebug,like ducks to water.JR & JR nation will have there day in the sun,just a matter of time.But I would have like him anyway.The kid is honest,dosen,t beat around the bush.That is rare in the sport of NASCAR or in this world anymore.GO JR we are with you!
What a terrific article. You know why Dale Junior’s fan love him. I was not a big fan of his father. I did respect him and realized what a talent the man was.
Ginger is right he is one of our family. We love him unconditionally.
The detractors and haters just do not get it, and that’s fine.
Nothing will sway Dale Junior fans. We will stick with him through the bad as well as the good. Why that bothers people is beyond my comprehension. There are 42 other drivers to choose from every race. Some have never won races, but still have fans. Winning isn’t everything. Just look at some winners with followings not near as large as Dale Junior’s.
My one wish for Dale Junior is the detractors and haters would cheer on their drivers and leave the kid alone and let him race without the constant criticism. He never does anything right in their eyes. I am sure he hears and reads the awful remarks, and yes it comes with the territory of his status. It just gets old. I like most drivers, but a few I get irritated with, but I do not belittle them. I choose to invest my time in my driver and not bad mouthing others.
My driver is the MPD and he deserves it.
I liked him before I knew who he was. He had a style of driving that the others didn’t have. It was Talladega 2005. He was going to the front, passing people like they were standing still. Then he’d drop to the back of the pack and do it all over again. His talent got my attention before I knew his name and what he looked like. I’m glad he’s that same person he was 5 years ago. He’s integrated into life in a fine way, and loves what he does. He’s tenacious and resilient, more so than a lot of other drivers. I will never cheer for anyone else but him.
Junior’s popularity certainly is not due to his driving ability. You can take that to the bank!
@Mike. All I will say is that I’ve offered you three examples to the contrary and to prove which one of us is really right is impossible. I still say if you somehow made him the same guy minus the name, he’d still have a big following. Being an Earnhardt gives him an even larger following than that.
@dawg. I point to 18 NSCS wins and 22 NNS wins with 2 championships. NASCAR has plenty of popular drivers who haven’t won races IN YEARS.
Just look what Kevin Harvick has done, nothing……..
Yet his fans love him, they think he is the greatest. The guy hasen’t won in 3 years but just go to his website and you will see evey excuse you can think of why he is so bad.
From the car, crew chief, Childress and maybe even his own paperboy.
They can’t stand JR , yet they love the car that won 6 Championships (for Childress) time to give it up for JR.
The has class and knows how to win. When Harvick (Yap Yap) passes him, come talk to me then. Just look at the Nascar records JR has set and some he still owns.
Harvick can be thankful he had cars set up for Dale in 2001.
He was suppose to go in the AOL car, well we all know how that worked out. So get ready to see JR be the most popular driver again next year. Why do people even bother to vote for other drivers? Time to give JR the respect he has earned. When was the last time you read about JR shoving a reporter?
@Jerry. Interesting comparison and points well made.
Thank you. One other thing about JR, ever notice his autograph? He never signs Earnhardt, just Dale JR.
The man is trying to make it on his own, without that famous last name. We will see wins next year.
In a time when the front runners of Nascar come from other places: Johnson-California, Gordon-California, Stewart-Indiana, The Busch Brothers-Nevada, Biffle-Washington, Edwards, Missouri, Keselowski-Michigan, Montoya-Miami (by way of Columbia), Eanhardt is a native born son, he’s the roots of stock car racing (though that’s not really true either, “stock cars” were racing long before Bill France organized them). JR, to many, is the link to the past, to his father, to the real Nascar fan he represents everything that is right about stock racing.
It would’ve been interesting how big JR’s fan base would be if Adam Petty and Davy Allison were still around… but they’re not, so Earnhardt is the people’s choice.
Oh, those other guys have their fans–as do other native sons, like Hamlin-Virginia and Vickers-North Carolina (though he’s a wannabe Gordon/Johnson now making his home in Miami
In a time when the front runners of Nascar come from other places: Johnson-California, Gordon-California, Stewart-Indiana, The Busch Brothers-Nevada, Biffle-Washington, Edwards, Missouri, Keselowski-Michigan, Montoya-Miami (by way of Columbia), Eanhardt is a native born son, he’s the roots of stock car racing (though that’s not really true either, “stock cars” were racing long before Bill France organized them). JR, to many, is the link to the past, to his father, to the real Nascar fan he represents everything that is right about stock racing.
Oh, those other guys have their fans–as do other native sons, like Hamlin-Virginia and Vickers-North Carolina (though he’s a wannabe Gordon/Johnson now making his home in Miami, but nothing to rival JR.
It would’ve been interesting how big JR’s fan base would be if Adam Petty and Davy Allison were still around… but they’re not, so Earnhardt is the people’s choice. Somehow I don’t think his popularity would be as large if he had native son competition. But it is what it is, I hope he bounces back and has a decent season in 2010 and beyond.
@JJ. Yeah, I think you’re right about that. There’s little question in my mind that a significant portion of Lil E’s fan base is female and is also good ol’ boys- whether they be southern natives or just good ol’ boys at heart. People would think Oregon would be Gordon, Biffle or Kahne country- but look around here and you see a lot of “88″ hats and t-shirts. I would say most of them would fancy themselves as countty boys who like to hunt, fish and 4-wheel in their trucks- blue collar types.
i too belong to a couple nascar sites ,and apparently JPM fans bashing Jr is “the cool thing to do”..hey JPM fans..John Andretti has more wins than your driver..so chill on the Jr bashing!!…nuff of my rant..I’m a Ford guy..but there are non-ford drivers i appreciate..like burton and harvick..and Jr…i often feel sorry for the fella having to live in the shadow of Sr the media has created for him..ya never see him whine or complain bout it..he’s a stand up guy just trying to do his own thing.i feel he’s an above average driver..not elite..but better than where he’s been placing the past while.but his problem is..noone in the history of the sport..has been so marketed..so put under a microscope..so..taken over to the point he dosnt have a moment to breath and relax…the guy needs a break..a chance to sit back and gather his wits about him..i think he’d still be pretty dang popular without the earnhardt name..chicks really dig his looks and drawl..my wife thinks he’s cute..(she thinks kasey kahne looks weird and kinda ugly inna plastic toy way thereby destroying the myth that woman 35+ are all kasey fans..HA!)to which i say..HEY..woman..sheesh..i’m right here!!
@Rob. Interesting what you said about JPM fans. I think I could fit all the JPM fans I know into a Volkswagen (maybe they’re out having a taco- LOL). I see my wife thinks the same as yours- little use for the “pretty boys,” she thinks guys like Jr. and Smoke are cute.
Thank you so much for the wonderful article on Dale Jr. When Jr. accepted the Most Popular Driver award he brought up the fact that his father left him one hell of a popular fan base plus the Earnhardt name. Dale Jr. is aware that he has let Jr. Nation down. Dale said that in his speech when he accepted the award. Dale Jr. just wants to be Dale Jr., and not be compared to his dad. All Dale Jr. want’s to do is race. He did not ask to be The Most Popular Driver, and never asked too be named Earnhardt. I am a Dale Jr. fan because of the reason’s you just stated! Love Dale Jr. for his honesty, his down home boy image, and his love for kids. I will always be a Junior fan no matter where he win’s or where he loses’s. Agree with everything you, Bob, Diane, and Jerry said.
I agree Jr’s popularity is not all about his dad, but it’s mostly about his dad.
Bob, are YOU a Jr fan? If so, is it mostly about his dad? If the answer is NO, then you have absolutely NO CLUE how the Jr. fans feel!!!
I will have to say you got the first 27 wards of the store right.
Dawg, when I got into NASCAR in 2003 it was for Jr’s abilities not a fan of his father at all. He is one of very few that is candid and didn’t mind getting the fans close to who he is. Hopefully he can pull it together.
Screw Jr. (Over88ted) & Jr. Nation. You are all washed up. You have no chance of a championship even in the best equipment. Jr. would make a great bar tender. He’s a 3rd teir driver at best. Move on!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Teresa. You’re Teresa Earnhardt? Hi, my name is Shaquille O’ Neal. I wonder if you represent that “hater” website (Over88ted). You’re entitled to your opinion, and it certainly says a lot about you. So..I am curious, do you have anyone you root FOR? Or is it just all about spewing hatred?
“”Candy December 7, 2009 at 7:28 am
Dawg, when I got into NASCAR in 2003 it was for Jr’s abilities not a fan of his father at all. He is one of very few that is candid and didn’t mind getting the fans close to who he is. Hopefully he can pull it together.”"
Hi Candy
Jr is the new Kyle Petty. I suppose that’s OK if you don’t care about results. I have nothing against Jr, just can’t understand the hype. And yes, for 99% of Jr nation, it his dad’s that made lil E popular. Like I said, it sure ain’t his driving ability…
Now if you want a driver to cheer for I would recommend Kurt Busch. Natural talent and he runs up front a lot. I expect him to dethrone JJ next year.
Have a nice day.
I am a diehard Dale Sr. fan. He is my hero. All other drivers are a distant second to him. I love Dale Jr. because he is his fathers son. I respect him because of what he has done. I admire his loyalty to family and friends. He has handled himself well with the struggles he has had this year and in the past. He will soon show what he and the team have been capable of all along.