Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Why 2012 Will Be Junior's Turn-Around Season in the 88

There is a palpable change with Dale Earnhardt Jr. this season that has not been evident the last few years. We began to see his confidence and swagger return in 2011, but now it is back full-blown.

It could be a blending of factors that contribute to this year's version of Earnhardt.

Perhaps his personal life is at a happier place, his belief in himself has returned and the power of Steve Letarte are the reasons. Finishing seventh in the 2011 points is a motivator as well.

Now he heads into the real beginning of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season at Phoenix. He will start that race second in points after finishing just behind the Daytona 500 winner, Matt Kenseth.

He was the highest finishing driver for Hendrick Motorsports at the "Great American Race."

It was a race he looked forward to because it is a fun race, but he feared the variables that are out of the driver's control.

Earnhardt really wanted to win the Super Bowl race on the high banks. No doubt, he will spend hours wondering what he could have done better, what he could have done to win.

At NASCAR Media day at Daytona, Earnhardt expressed his thoughts on Daytona.

He stated, "I want to win a race pretty bad. Daytona is probably the worst for me all year because of the racing here." He did emphasize how much fun it was to run the 500 and try to win it though.

Earnhardt continued, "I'm looking forward to going to Phoenix because I have better odds there. I'm looking forward to going to tracks where I'm driving the car."

The driver of the Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard No. 88 Chevrolet is enough of an old-school style racer that he wants to be up on the wheel. He wants to have to adjust the car and get it right.

Junior and his crew chief, Letarte, are friends, but at the track, he is a driver who follows the rules set by Letarte and has learned to communicate well with him so far as feedback on the car.

The crew chief for the No. 88  has his driver at the track, in the hauler, filling out reports and really being part of the team, not just a driver who shows up when it is time to race.

It is a new discipline for Earnhardt and one that he has not had. It is discipline he knows he needs to become better.

Earnhardt has his head in the game now. He wants to be involved with anything in NASCAR Cup racing that will take him to a higher level and Victory Lane.

In Daytona, he spoke of telling president of NASCAR, Mike Helton, of is desire to be involved in any testing, be it tires or whatever. He wanted it made known that he was volunteering.

Earnhardt stated, "I wanted to be one of the teams that are part of it. If they would think about me when they did that, I would appreciate it."

Being an owner has matured this Hendrick Motorsports driver. His experience with JR Motorsports has given him a different perspective. He has learned to respect the crews and all that they go through.

Earnhardt said, "You become more respectful of all the individuals. You get a better view of it as an owner."

The driver of the No. 88 is pleased with the group of guys that make up the stable of drivers at HMS. He is especially pleased with Kasey Kahne coming on board with his crew chief, Kenny Francis.

Earnhardt said, "Kasey is a great driver. He's going to come in here and do great things and probably have the best years of his career."

He added, "His crew chief, Kenny, is a super-smart guy and I think that's where the difference is going to be."

Francis is bringing new ideas to HMS that have been put to good use by teams including the 88.

When all the ingredients are blended together for Earnhardt and his team at HMS, it looks as though the recipe for wins in the 2012 season is better than ever and pretty much a guarantee.

All quotes were obtained in person or by official press releases unless otherwise noted.