The Unexplainable Mystique That Is Dale Earnhardt Jr.

(Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

This statement alone showed what kind of person he is on the inside, which is where a person’s true character always comes from while taking the brunt of the blame for Eury Jr.’s misfortunes this season.

“I put myself in this position. I feel bad for Tony, Jr. (Eury, crew chief) because he gets criticized so badly. I would rather be crucified than him."

Earnhardt went on to say, "Because every time I read in the paper that people are on his case, I feel like I am sending my brother to jail for a crime I committed, you know what I mean. I just wish it were an easier job for him and the guys on the team.”

Sometimes life’s biggest lessons are taught by those that we the fans of NASCAR call our own heroes.

Lessons in love and in keeping a positive outlook are only two of the many attributes that Earnhardt posses.

Friendship can also be added to that list, and Earnhardt knows first hand the value of a friendship. He not only displayed that with his Cousin Tony, but also the relationship that he and his JR Motorsports driver Brad Keselowski have built.

Once again the Earnhardt mystique was put to the test, and once again it got even more mysterious while passing with flying colors.

This time it wasn’t Earnhardt who expressed how he felt, but instead it was Keselowski who let the NASCAR world know exactly where Earnhardt stood on his career changing decision.

"Without a doubt, the hardest part was leaving JR Motorsports," Keselowski said. "But what made it easier for me was to have Dale's blessing to do it. Without it, it would have been much harder to do,” said Keselowski.

“And Dale, make no mistake, was the catalyst for my career, the one who called me up and said he believed in me even though other people within his company didn't. He's the one who took the risk, financially and with his reputation, to put me in that car, and I'm eternally grateful to him for that."

So when you look back to just how much Earnhardt values a friendship, it was Earnhardt who encouraged Keselowski to take the Penske opportunity.

Earnhardt knew that it was time for Keselowski to leave the nest, and to go to a team where he would have the opportunity to grow.

"He was actually one of the people who pushed me fairly hard to take this deal," Keselowski said. "As surprising as that might be to some of the people or the fans or the media, he brought up one of the good points that stuck with me when I made this decision, which was the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my life.”

So as Earnhardt continues to mature while walking down a path of uncertainty. His personality, as well as the mystique that makes Earnhardt who he is, has already begun taking its toll on not only him but those around him as well.

Even through all the controversy, and the shortcomings, Earnhardt is still able to hold his head up high and show a kind of love and compassion that is not found in most marriages today.

Earnhardt has taken that love to a whole new level the same way he did back in 2007, after leaving D.E.I. and coming over to H.M.S.

Not once did he ever put the blame on his step-mother Theresa, but instead he carried that situation upon his own shoulders, and told the fans not to bad mouth her the same way they did to Tony Eury Jr.

The mystique that makes Earnhardt who he is can easily be manifested in his love for the sport along with his positive outlook, and most importantly the way a friendship should always be valued as well as cherished.

We the fans of NASCAR should give credit where credit is due, because if we took these few lessons and applied them to our own lives the world around us would be a much happier place.

So it’s safe to say that it doesn’t take a winning season for a driver to have an impact on the sport the way that Earnhardt has.

Even away from victory lane, he still continues to be victorious just by his actions, and the way he portrays himself not only to his fans, but to those that have come in contact with him.

Besides, whom are we to pass judgment on someone who is trying to live a dream, while at the same time promoting the sport in a positive way?

One thing is for sure, the mystique that follows him around will always be just as mystical as the fans that choose to support him no matter if he wins or loses, because in the game of life he has already won.

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