What Should We Expect From Dale Earnhardt Jr in 2010?

Well NASCAR community I'm back after being gone for about six months. I'm back in the game and ready to type my fingers off!

As I think about what articles to get me going again, I think why not start off writing an article about my favorite driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.

As we all know we all had high hopes for the 2009 season that Earnhardt would finally break into the winners circle more often and hold the championship cup at the end of the season.

Instead he ended up having the worst season of his NASCAR career with no wins and not making the chase. After Rick Hendrick gave the boot to Tony Eury Jr. he brought in NASCAR wiz Lance McGrew. 

There were great improvements and they were running a lot better, but the finishes weren't there.

Let's move onto the 2010 season before I keep going on and on how much the 2009 season tore Jr nation's hearts apart.

Daytona is only 18 days away if you're counting the Budweiser Shootout.

After half of a season with new crew chief Lance McGrew, Earnhardt seems to be meshing well with him. Communication seems to be getting better, adjustments seem to work just a little bit more, and best of all there is confidence in the 88 camp now.

Now time for a non-biased prediction for Dale Earnhardt's and the 88's team 2010 season.

I believe he will run well in the Budweiser Shootout, and I do believe a Hendrick car will win. I also believe Earnhardt will win his Gatorade duel 150 qualifying race too.

Now the grandaddy of them all; The Daytona 500. I do think Earnhardt has a great chance of taking it home for the second time in his career. He will finish in the top five.

As for the season, I predict five wins with at least one win at Daytona, and at least one win at Talladega. I also predict Earnhardt being in the top seven in points by the time the chase rolls around. Then it's anybody's game. And who better to dethrone Jimmie Johnson then his good ole' teammate.

Let's sit back and enjoy the ride known as the 2010 NASCAR season.

Gentlemen, START YOUR ENGINES!