The Unexplainable Mystique That Is Dale Earnhardt Jr.

(Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

He hasn’t won a race since June 15, 2008, and so far this season he is sitting 21st in points and will once again miss the chase for the third time in his Sprint cup career.

We already know that he is the most popular driver in the Sprint cup series, and he is also one of the most recognizable athletes in the entire sports world today.

Wherever he goes whether at the track or in public, his popularity stature to NASCAR can easily be compared to the impact that Tiger Woods has had on golf.

There are not many drivers in the sport that have that type of influence, or that can draw in the fans even when their season is not living up to their expectations.

The passion that his fans have shown throughout his racing career is truly amazing, and it’s easily seen by the mobs that wait patiently just to get a glimpse of this driver who is almost bigger then the sport itself.

By the deafening cheers, to the sea of green, these are just a few of the actions that let the fans know whenever their driver has just taken the lead.

So as the season is just about over, and the same lingering questions are still being asked by those fans who just don’t understand exactly what this driver really means to the sport.

These are also the same questions that the heads of NASCAR can't answer themslves.

So what exactly is it about the Earnhardt mystique that draws fans from not only around the country, but the world as well?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is far from the overly aggressive driver that his dad was famous for, and he is not even close to following in those same footsteps.

But instead Earnhardt Jr. has chosen a path that best suits his driving style, and a destiny that will hopefully take him to NASCAR superstardom someday.

Earnhardt’s demeanor is probably one of his biggest assets, along with his love for the sport, and the fact that he is very optimistic.

Optimism is a very big word when it comes to cup racing, especially when you start looking around at all the talent that is out there.

And even though Earnhardt is having his fair share of problems this season, each week he still pushes onward in hopes of trying to find that formula for success.

Earnhardt has always had high hopes for his team, and even through his failures he still walks around with a smile on his face.

“You are in this business to professionally succeed and win races and championships and that is your ultimate goal, and you should do everything you need to do as far as the pieces of the puzzle to get there.”

Earnhardt also added, “I understand that I need to run better. I understand that and I am out there busting my butt trying to make it happen. You are in a big sport and each wants to go out there and make it happen. I mean, we haven’t run well, and it is obvious. It is ok for people to point that out because it is a fact.”

Love is another word that can be combined together with the optimism that the teams need in today’s very competitive world of racing.

This right here could very well be one of the reason's behind the Earnhardt mystique.

When you think back to earlier in the season, Earnhardt showed a kind of love that is not seen that often in any sport.

Earnhardt stepped up to the plate in a very unusual and also a huge way when he made this statement.

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