Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s New Tough Love Key to Cup Success in 2012

The photographer's lights glared and the media attention was heavy as rapid-fire questions were asked of NASCAR's Most Popular Driver. The answers were direct, honest and often humorous.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was patient with the throng of media that surrounded him at Hendrick Motorsports during the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour sponsored by Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Earnhardt is a celebrity and a racecar driver for whom the lines are sometimes blurred, but to his crew chief, Steve Letarte, he is a driver who has to toe the line.

Earnhardt needs Letarte to crack the whip. He said, "I never had anyone telling me to do things." His crew chief has him filling out forms, providing detailed feedback and spending a lot more time in the hauler.

Speaking of the last 10 years, the driver of the No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard Chevrolet said, "I don't think I was realizing my true potential."

Being the crew chief for such a high profile driver takes a strong leader. Earnhardt said of Letarte, "This is a tough gig for him."

He compared him to Tony Eury Sr., "Pops," for being tough with accountability but also described Letarte as being a cheerleader.

Earnhardt told Letarte, "I worry you're going to relax a little on [discipline], the more we're together, the more we become friends, that you might let me off the hook and I don't want that to happen."

Letarte expects his driver at the car and the hauler early on race weekends. In the beginning Junior grumbled but was told by his crew chief, "Man, that's the deal."

Once he began doing it, he found he enjoyed the routine and wanted to be there.

In past years, Earnhardt just showed up at the car when it was time to drive. His style was to hang out in the motorcoach.

The No. 88 driver really wants to be the driver who brings Hendrick Motorsports their 200th win, which is the next one. Earnhardt said, "I feel close to winning races. I want to give a good account of myself."

Junior spoke of visualizing making a win happen as he sits in the car before a race. He wants to give fans what they want and deserve.

Letarte verified that statement when he talked about the passion his driver has not only for racing but for his fans.

Earnhardt stated, "It is kind of weird being popular. I was never popular in high school." He added that being the son of Dale Earnhardt didn't even help.

The nine-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver doesn't just drive a racecar. He made it clear; he is a fan of the sport. He still finds his fan support overwhelming at times.

Earnhardt said, "I like to relax and be lazy." He realized at the track that wasn't getting him too far, and he needed Letarte to get him back in line.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver talked about being to "broad and generic" with his communication. Letarte has gotten him to be more particular with feedback and meaningful comments.

Though Earnhardt and Letarte have become close friends, it may be Letarte's tough love that rallied him to seventh in 2011 points and will get him to Victory Lane in 2012.

All quotes in this article were obtained in person unless otherwise noted.