Do you think his dad has anything to do with his popularity? i don't think hed be where he is without his dad. I'm not a fan because he can't win.
2007-05-22 05:07:53 · 35 answers · asked by MPN 1 in Sports ➔ Auto Racing ➔ NASCAR
Well, i don't want to say he can't win but he just hasn't yet.
2007-05-22 05:19:35 · update #1
Well, i don't want to say he can't win but he just hasn't yet.
2007-05-22 05:19:51 · update #2
The Dale Earnhart Sr.fan nation was and is one of, if not THE biggest fanbase ever in the history of NASCAR. That combined with Senior's death has had a huge effect on Jr's popularity (The Senior fans now root for Jr.). It also doesn't hurt that he had a lot of promise right up until his father's death, winning a Busch Series Championship and that he drives the very popular Bud car. His name and personality have also led to a ton of commercials and ads which help lend to making Little E a household name.
2007-05-22 05:27:19 · answer #1 · answered by Preston B 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes part of it is the name factor, and sadly he will always be compared to his father, or accused of riding the name (ala Kyle Petty). If you've ever seen or read anything about Jr. you'll know that Sr. really didn't hand him anything and actually made Jr. work for stuff. People act like Jr just got handed a Busch ride and went with it, actually yeah Sr. gave him a car, an old street stock with the words you race it you fix it. Jr. doesn't complain about everything like some drivers do, and if he does say something it's a legitimate complaint. When he gets taken out by another driver(Vickers, Kyle Busch) he doesn't go off on them, he just chalks it up to it just being racing. Jr. also has no problem with giving another driver a shot (Truex would've been stuck in Busch East if it wasn't for Jr.). Finally it's the easygoing laid back demeanor that Jr. has. If you watch his commercials it looks like he's just having fun doing it. Besides having a famous last name doesn't relate to your own success, Kyle Petty, John Andretti, or if you want to relate to another sport Dale Berra(son of Yogi). Jr can drive really, only rookie to win the WInston(All-Star), been top-10 in points in all but 2 years (2002,2005 and even Gordon didn't in 05), 2 Busch Titles and for several years was damn near unbeatable on restrictor plate tracks. The championship will come eventually. Oh yeah the fact he really doesn't drive like his old man, he will back off if he can't pass clean(Richmond last season). Oh btw to all these people who think Jr fans are rednecks, I'm a Jr fan and I'm far from a redneck sorry. I may live in the south, but NJ born and bred.
2007-05-22 14:39:43 · answer #2 · answered by Wedge_Antilles_72 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like most die hard Earnhardt fans. My dad is one. They loved #3 and thought #8 was nice to have around, but they still loved #3.
When Sr. died they became Jr. fans out of loyalty for #3.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. was NASCAR. He was like George Jones to country music. When you think of one you think of the other.
If he was somebody else he would not be as popular. Look at the other drivers who are more successful and have a better personality. He be the same as the Newmans and Kanes and Stewarts.
Lucky for me after many years of being a #3 fan, Gordon came along. He is my age and I thought it great that a young guy could show the veterans how the cow eats the cabbage.
Been a Gordon fan since his beginning, works out well he is the greatest driver out there.
2007-05-22 06:19:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The MPD is a contest of who loves you! It has nothing to do with Cups, wins or losses! It is purely a popularity contest for the fans to choose. And the fans love a good guy! Look at Mark Martin, no cups, several wins, but no title! He has been the MPD several times! Why, because people love him! Jr, is definitely loved by many, he has picked up a lot of Dale Sr. fans since his death. Also since Jr. suffered such a serious loss in his life, that has exposed him to millions. So yes, in several ways, Sr. has helped Jr. but Jr. had to pick up the gauntlet and run with it. That he has done on his own. He was given fame but it was his to keep, and he has done that on his own. Girls love him, he gives good interviews and he is a nice guy!
Add all that up and you have a MPD!
2007-05-24 21:45:51 · answer #4 · answered by BIG DADDY 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His Dad did have a great deal to do with the number of Fans Jr. has; however Junior's personality has held many of them. He is very down to earth and very personable.
He hasn't won a championship; but he is one of the top Drivers in the series. He is inconsistent though. He'll win a race and then finsihs poorly for the next few races. He has had on going issues as well with DEI giving him a Car he can get into the top ten, five, or even victory lane.
Yes, Junior is the most overrated Driver in all of Motorsports. But, he is a very nice Guy and has earned his Fans by being so.
2007-05-22 05:52:13 · answer #5 · answered by Gene L 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
When his dad was alive, there were some Sr. fans and Jr. fans. (they probably liked them both but they probably favored one over the other...I don't know because I'm not a fan). When Sr. died, a majority of his fans had no one but Jr. to turn to simply out of loyalty. So yes, his dad's death contributed a lot to his fan base. And even now, he is the face of NASCAR and with so much publicity in the sport right now, all new fans just sort of, lean toward the Jr. fan base because it is so large.
I don't blame the Sr. fans for becoming Jr. fans because it shows what NASCAR is all about...pride and loyalty in a driver. I don't dislike Jr., but Gordon still rocks!
2007-05-22 05:58:25 · answer #6 · answered by Sir Bobber 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I rooted for Sr. whem he drove Bud Moore's #15 Ford in '82 and '83, but after he went over to The Dark Side (Chevy) he became a dirty driver to win races. So if Jr. remains a clean driver, will he still be popular?
2007-05-22 08:08:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jr can credit not only his fathers large fan base that took to Jr, but a sponsor that is very recognizable, the fact that he is an attractive man and has help bring in 1000's of women fans, and the fact that he is known in the world of pop culture (music videos, movies, etc.) helps too.
2007-05-22 05:46:17 · answer #8 · answered by ♥Ta Loca♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Career wins - 17; Career top 5 finishes - 70; Career top 10 finishes - 113. 2006 and 2004 he was 5th in points at the end of the season, and 2003 he got 3rd in points. I just don't see how that is such a bad driver.
2007-05-22 08:46:48 · answer #9 · answered by chiligirl8 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Isnt it a Fathers job to teach his children???? Of course it is. Dale Sr. taught Jr. what he wanted to learn, racing. Yes his popularity does probably have something to do with his Dads death but so what. Jr. is the one with class, alot more class than other drivers I have seen.
2007-05-22 09:02:19 · answer #10 · answered by shirley e 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋