Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Stuggles Continue: Will His Fans Stay?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans have not had a whole lot to cheer about this year. I know it is early, but when I find myself cheering wildly because he is fastest during practice , I have to stop and say: What the heck is going on?

We have seen other years like this, for reasons such as death, contracts, step mom, but what is happening now?

He has the best owner in my opinion, the best equipment, and he keeps defending his team. So where do we look for the answer? Just where he said this past weekend: to him!

Every Earnhardt Jr. fan has to be saying what is wrong with him?

I think he is just fine, and if the media backed off and let the guy out of his fish bowl for a while, they too will see he is just in need of some breathing space.

This is a very competitive sport and it takes a whole lot more than being the favorite driver to win the championship. Put that kind of pressure on a person, plus the negative feeling of jealous drivers—listen to Kyle Busch talk about Earnhardt Jr. and see how obvious it is—plus the fans wanting a win and championship, and that pressure cooker could blow at any time.

I am a Earnhardt Jr. fan, win or lose.

I will not fall into the, "I am a fan of the winner."

That is not what true NASCAR fans do. We keep hoping and cheering for our guy, even if it is just because he is fastest in practice. We know the day will come that we will scream and cheer once again.

Wear those Earnhardt Jr. colors proudly, he needs us now more than ever!