Dale Earnhardt Jr.: What a Sprint Cup Title Would Mean to His Legacy

Being born the son of a NASCAR legend brings about certain expectations should they pursue the same career, but being Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a league of one.

The son of the "Intimidator" is a much different person than his dad, who was brash and daring on the race track. He was charismatic with sunglasses and a swagger that gave him an in-your-face persona.

Dale Jr. is a quiet, introverted personality who respects his seniors, appreciates racing history that built the sport and runs his life to the beat of his own drum.

When Junior raced for Dale Earnhardt Inc., it was just a given that he would become a great racer under the guidance of his father.

When his father died on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, the world as Earnhardt Jr. knew it would never be the same. He had wanted to prove himself to his dad who in an instant was gone.

The unthinkable happened when Junior made his departure from DEI and headed to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 where expectations suddenly took a giant leap and he was supposed to win a lot of races.

It started out pretty well with Hendrick, but deteriorated during the 2009 and 2010 season. Wins were no longer expected, as he struggled to make finishes out to the top 10.

Now chemistry with his new team, headed by Steve Letarte at Hendrick Motorsports, has gotten Dale Jr. back into the racing groove. He comes to the track happy and confident, knowing he is a contender at each race.

Junior has 18 career Cup wins, but has found himself winless in 109 races. Currently he sits seventh in the point standings with three top-five and eight top-10 finishes this season.

He did get his second DNF this season at Sonoma when he got caught up in a mess of cars that caused catastrophic engine failure.

The driver of the No. 88 Amp Energy/National Guard Chevrolet may or may not contend for a NASCAR  Sprint Cup title this year, but he is not going anywhere anytime soon and a title could well be in his future.

Winning races would silence those who claim he is an overrated driver because of his name. A series championship would elevate his driving record to the elite group who can claim they won a title.

For Dale Jr., it would be vindication for the struggles he has faced personally and as a Sprint Cup driver in the top series of NASCAR.

Though many think the driver of the No. 88 has it all, it really isn't easy being Dale Earnhardt Jr. because of the constant scrutiny he is under and the ever-present critics.

This is a driver who knows he really doesn't have to prove anything to anybody. He is a racer who wants to win and prove to himself that his confidence in his ability is not misplaced.

It has hardly mattered that wins have not come his way. His following of fans, known as Junior Nation, have supported him regardless of his driving record.

For eight years he has been voted the Most Popular Driver in NASCAR. He is a bit of a hero to the regular guys and gals who relate to him.

Sure he is a gazillionaire and businessman, but Junior doesn't flaunt it. He likes to hang out at home, hone his Internet racing, play with his dogs, drink a few beers and hang out with his family.

Junior is a nice guy who does a lot of good things for many people though most know nothing of those actions. He is well-liked by his peers and even those fellow drivers want to see him win and do well.

Mark Martin commented on Earnhardt Jr. at NASCAR Media Day held at Daytona International Speedway this past February.

Martin said, "This is the strongest set of shoulders in motorsports and he gracefully carries the incredible weight under the circumstances. He is a strong individual who carries an enormous amount and I wouldn't want to be him."

A NASCAR Sprint Cup championship would justify the pedigree this driver was born with. It would surely check off one item that must be at the top of Dale Jr.'s bucket list.

Wins and a title would silence those who said he could not drive the COT. Maturity has made him a smarter driver and under the current team situation all the parts and pieces are finally coming together.

Winning a championship in the top series of NASCAR would mean many things to Earnhardt Jr. and perhaps the most important would be the satisfaction of accomplishing what he knew he could all along.