[BiscuitMan]

I received my copy of National Speed Sport News today and some things popped out at me as reading it about Dale Jr. Here's a summary:

The JR Nation has its own military division in the Navy. See US Navy Dale Jr Division for details. The Dale Jr. Division is an 88-person boot camp division at Recruit Training Command. Potential sailors can start signing up for this division starting with the Nationwide Series race May 24th. National Speed Sport News reported that the Navy signed up the first 10 recruits into the Navy’s Dale Jr. Division at the No. 88 Navy hauler at the race.

Hendrick Motorsports opened its renovated museum and store on the Hendrick Motorsports Campus in Harrisburg, N.C. Hendrick Motorsports museum and store is free to all visitors. That is true, but the facility is now less of a museum and more a retail store for Hendrick Motorsports merchandise. No doubt most of the changes are due to the demand for Dale Earnhardt, Jr.memorabilia.

Joyce Julius & Associates reports that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. leads all drivers with television exposure. Dale Jr.'s sponsors received $150 million worth of television exposure during the first 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup races of the season. That’s more than $24 million more than second-place Jeff Gordon. Can you imagine what those figures would be if either one of them would win a race? See Press Release* May 20, 2008 for details.

Top Exposure Producing Drivers (After 10 Races):
Driver Rank and Total Comparable Exposure Value

1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. $150,123,885
2. Jeff Gordon $126,436,385
3. Jimmie Johnson $123,083,430
4. Kyle Busch $116,043,930
5. Carl Edwards $110,463,195
6. Tony Stewart $84,668,695
7. Ryan Newman $80,175,895
8. Denny Hamlin $79,833,540
9. Matt Kenseth $73,154,105
10. Kevin Harvick $62,653,780

Dale Jr.’s marketability seems to continue, even without wins.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

Dale Jr.’s marketability seems to continue, even without wins.

and yet think how much he would be worh if he actually won a race

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by simple simon

and yet think how much he would be worh if he actually won a race

Remarkable isn't it.

[simple simon]

even more to the point i suppose .... how much would he be worth if his name was Dale Smith

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by simple simon

even more to the point i suppose .... how much would he be worth if his name was Dale Smith

I figured you were headin that direction, and it is a valid point.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I figured you were headin that direction, and it is a valid point.

yeah

i figure his name has to account for atleast half of it

[Havax]

the media and his fans put more pressure on him that anyone else. He doesnt seem to be phased by the winless streak hes got going. I hope you guys know he will win a race where his car isnt very good and he will hit something late in the race and take it home

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by Havax

the media and his fans put more pressure on him that anyone else. He doesnt seem to be phased by the winless streak hes got going. I hope you guys know he will win a race where his car isnt very good and he will hit something late in the race and take it home

If he is not fazed by the winless streak, then why is he so sullen in his post race interviews?

You are dreaming if you don't think it bothers him.

[Havax]

he isnt upset in interviews...hes being dale jr

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by Havax

he isnt upset in interviews...hes being dale jr

Well, as long as you believe that, and it makes you feel better, that is fine.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by Havax

he isnt upset in interviews...hes being dale jr

To me he's not being Jr. He use to would laugh and joke soon and even look at the reporter. Now he looks at the ground mostly, he sometimes stammers so bad you wonder if he'll ever get the sentence out, doesn't even smile and acts like he just lost his best friend or something. I've gotten to where I have to mute the tv when they interview him, cause he depresses the hell out of me now. And I use to enjoy hearing his interviews.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Havax

he isnt upset in interviews...hes being dale jr

whistling in the dark...

[Team Yates]

Originally Posted by jks812

To me he's not being Jr. He use to would laugh and joke soon and even look at the reporter. Now he looks at the ground mostly, he sometimes stammers so bad you wonder if he'll ever get the sentence out, doesn't even smile and acts like he just lost his best friend or something. I've gotten to where I have to mute the tv when they interview him, cause he depresses the hell out of me now. And I use to enjoy hearing his interviews.

I'd be depressed if I was in the Hendricks garage!!!!!!!!!

[NASCAR Gnome]

You don't chop down a big tree with one chop! It takes many smaller swings to eventually topple that tree but if you keep at it, it will eventually come down! Dale Junior is taking swings at that championship tree and so far he's on schedule... You have to remember that unless you make the Chase, you can win all the races during the year and still end up without a championship! I don't think that's the master plan...

If you ask Dale Junior whether he would prefer to win a race or win the championship, (I'm guessing he'd say "both") I'm pretty confident that a championship is worth more to him than one or two wins. Now, if you ask Junior Nation, I suspect more would be content with him winning a race NOW than a championship LATER!

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by Team Yates

I'd be depressed if I was in the Hendricks garage!!!!!!!!!

Yeah really. The guy has landed in what a clear majority of observers (likely true if measuring the opinions of participants/contributors here) defined as the absolute best of opportunity, equipment, talent, etc., and he's likely to be sensing a realization that even with all of that he remains incapable of achieving a win. Close, but not even with regularity the "first loser".

Perhaps some mild sense of comfort (really nothing more than an excuse) might be gained by taking advantage of the "the other guys are having problems too" dodge. On the other hand, he ain't looking so comfortable of late. Maybe reality is beginning to set in. In any case, the "productivity" elsewhere does not appear to be an adequate substitute for performance at/on the track.

While he has won (2001) once at Dover, overall the showing has not been all that great. Could be a depressing weekend for the 88 if he can't break out of past showings there. Would be nice, but it would appear as if the win will wait at the very least another week.