NASCAR Sprint Cup 2010 1st Half Report: Dale Earnhardt Jr

Dale Earnhardt Jr knows his cross to bear will forever be to live in the shadow of his legendary father, Dale Earnhardt. When NASCAR reached Daytona for their annual Fourth of July celebration, Dale Earnhardt Jr ws in the final days of pulling off a tribute to his father Dale Earnhardt's fans and his father.

Dale Earnhardt Jr Put Together a Deal to Exercise His Demons

Dale Earnhardt Jr has been haunted by his fathers death since February 2001, when his fathers car turned head on into the wall at the Daytona International Speedway as he crossed the finish line behind his teammate and fellow Dale Earnhardt Incorporated driver Michael Waltrip.

 Minutes later, Earnhardt Jr and his teammate Waltrip's joy of a 1-2 finish at Daytona was destroyed by the news that Dale Earnhardt was killed in the crash.

Although Dale Earnhardt Jr did race a #3 car for Richard Childress twice after his fathers death, Dale Jr wanted to run the #3 one last time with the Wrangler Jeans blue and yellow paint scheme.

The deal was put together to honor Dale Earnhardt's fans and Dale Earnhardt himself. Dale Jr struggled in the race but came home first. After the race an emotional Dale Jr said, "That's it, no more 3 for me."

Dale Jr is Still Working to Gain His Father's Fans Approval

Although Dale Earnhardt Jr's father is gone, he is still in some way looking for approval of his father. Tony Eury Jr, Dale Earnhardt Jr's former crew chief, said of Dale Earnhardt Jr on Showtime's Inside NASCAR, "Dale Jr was always looking to impress his father. When Dale Earnhardt was gone Dale Jr had no one to impress."

Tony Eury Jr's analysis may be spot on but Dale Earnhardt Jr doesn't want any part of the pressure of driving the #3 on a regular basis. Still there are other moves in the works as the 2011 NASCAR Cup season grows near.

Talk of the vacant #8, Dale Jr's second favorite car number being released to Rick Hendrick Motorsports at seasons end is still whispered around the NASCAR garage on a weekly basis.

Dale Earnhardt Jr's First Half Report Card : C

Dale Earnhardt Jr proved a point with the Wrangler #3 car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Dale Jr can still drive when he has the right equipment and right circumstances. Dale Jr's victory was enough to set off all of his fans to call for him to move to Richard Childress and race for his fathers best friend and confidant.

It may not happen but the pressure is squarely on Rick Hendrick's shoulders to produce equipment that Dale Earnhardt Jr can win in.

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