Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Latest News and Predictions Ahead of 2015 Daytona 500

More than one year after winning his second Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is no longer just a popular name in NASCAR. Heading into his 16th full-time season, Junior is now a legitimate title contender with potential to win any time he gets behind the wheel.

Last year, Earnhardt won four races altogether and advanced to the second round of the brand-new Chase. That great season all got started with his confidence brimming after a win in the biggest race of the year.

Heading into the Daytona 500 again, things have gotten off to a tough start for Earnhardt. Not only did he finish ninth in the Sprint Unlimited, but the Hendrick Motorsports driver also failed a post-qualifying inspection on Sunday.

Leading up to the Great American Race, let's take a look at the latest news and predictions for Earnhardt.

Latest News

The biggest story coming out of Sunday's qualifying round was, well, the format itself. Jeff Gordon's pole win was somewhat overshadowed by the wreck in the first round and what would follow.

Earnhardt and Denny Hamlin both failed post-qualifying inspections, stealing more of the thunder from Gordon. Unlike other races throughout the season, it will not cost either driver for the Daytona 500. Instead, they both will start from the back of their respective Budweiser Duels.

With 49 total drivers in the running for the Great American Race, only 24 will be in the second Duel with Earnhardt. Starting from 24th overall, Junior isn't worried about his odds, as he passed along on Twitter:

Entering this season with a new crew chief in Greg Ives and several new crew members, Junior is still the same driver he was last year. Getting their feet wet at Daytona might be the best possible environment, especially considering how much prosperity Earnhardt has enjoyed at the track.

Even with a lot riding on his success on Thursday night, he has never entered a season with Hendrick with more confidence or momentum from the prior campaign. Junior has won three Duels in his career and doesn't appear to be worried about repeating the success this week.

In fact, Jared Turner of Fox Sports believes his confidence is a huge part of why he can repeat:

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Fresh off a season when he won four races, made the Chase for the Sprint Cup and bore all the appearances of a legitimate title contender before bad luck came calling in the Chase Contender Round, Earnhardt Jr. rides a wave of momentum into 2015 that he hasn't had in any of his seven previous seasons with Hendrick Motorsports, and has arguably never had in his entire Sprint Cup career.

Although Speedweeks got off to a rocky start for Earnhardt Jr. when he finished an unimpressive ninth in the Sprint Unlimited and then saw his car fail post-race inspection after clocking in 10th quickest in Daytona 500 qualifying, there is little doubt in anyone's mind that he will be a huge factor come Sunday. This much is certain: There is no event he wants to win more than NASCAR's Super Bowl.

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Something tells me Earnhardt won't come out with his best setup during the Duels to leave some surprises for the big race. He'll throw down a solid finish during the Duel after starting from the back to put him up near the front on Sunday.

Given that great starting position, Earnhardt will repeat his success from last season. Having four top-two finishes in his last five Daytona 500 starts, look for Earnhardt to work his way up to the front. Once he gets there, Junior will prove too much for the field en route to a second straight 500 victory.

Prediction: Earnhardt places top five in Budweiser Duel, clinches back-to-back Daytona 500 victories.

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