Dale Jr: Most Popular Driver and Least Hated

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last five years, you know Dale Jr. is by far the most popular driver in NASCAR. Yet, over this sadly disappointing 2009 season, I've come to realize another interesting fact that I feel has been overlooked. Not only is he the most loved driver in history, he's also one of the least hated. Allow me to explain.

In the 90's there was a young driver who was nearly unstoppable, Jeff Gordon. In this decade he had 49 wins, 30 poles, and 118 top fives. His fan support was a very healthy size. But for every fan he had, there was a Dale Earnhardt fan to hate his guts. It weighed itself out. 

When Dale Sr. came into the league, he saw a extremely quick rise in fan base. But he had Richard Petty, and Bill Elliot fans who wanted him thrown out of  NASCAR.

In history, the most popular drivers(often the most productive) have always had the scientific law, to every action there is always opposed and equal reaction. There always was this system of checks and balance. This rule does not prove true for Junior. Now, obviously the point to this article isn't to prove a science law isn't true. But, in the case it dosen't apply.

As far as Die Hard fans. Dale has roughly 40 percent of the total NASCAR fan base. Jeff Gordon has around 20 percent. Kyle Busch is listed under 5 percent. That means for every Bush fan you find, you'll meet eight for Junior.

If you took a poll of which driver you can't stand, the results would again be extremely different.

When Dale Sr. was first racing, 48 percent of fans said they hated him. When Gordon was first racing, 53 percent of fans said they hated him.

Now here is where I pose the currently unanswered question.

Do you HATE Dale Earnhardt Jr.

I feel most people will say no. Why? Because almost all NASCAR fans sympathise with him. The boy had to become a man overnight. He went from a rookie to D.E.I's lead driver in four tenths of a mile(The distance between turn 4 and the finish line at Daytona).

He handles the most intense media pressure since Elvis Presley. He is one of the most humble men at the track. He stood up for his fans when Kyle Busch insulted them all. 

So I ask you all to consider this question I've laid before you and answer in the author's poll.