Behind the Wheel with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
nascar.com
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a third-generation driver in a family forever connected to the sport of stock-car racing, and while his innate ability behind the wheel comes from Earnhardt DNA, his competitive driving style and keen business sense are all his own. His flare for originality and common-sense charisma have made him one of the most popular figures in sports.
Race fans have selected him five times as the winner of NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver award, joining Richard Petty and Bill Elliott as the only drivers to win it five consecutive seasons since 1956. His appeal is not limited to race fans, though. He often has appeared on Harris Interactive’s annual polling of America’s Top 10 Favorite Athletes, frequenting lists with such names as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Brett Favre and Derek Jeter.
The 2008 season marks Dale Jr.’s ninth in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition. Through 2007, he has amassed more than $46 million in career winnings and 17 victories, including the 2004 Daytona 500. His 17 victories rank him 39th on NASCAR’s all-time race winners list. He also has four “nonpoints” or all-star wins, and seven pole positions.
Dale Jr. became the only third-generation NASCAR champion when he won the 1998 and 1999 Nationwide Series titles. He follows his legendary father, Dale Earnhardt, a seven-time Cup champion and winner of 76 races. His grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt, was the 1956 NASCAR Sportsman champion and in 2007 was posthumously inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame. Both his father and grandfather were selected among NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers of all time in 1999. All together, the three Earnhardts account for 10 NASCAR championships.
Birthdate: Oct 10, 1974
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 158 lbs.
Team: HendrickMotorsports
Sprint Cup Series: National Guard Car
Car: Chevrolet Impala SS
