Dale Jr. ends winless streak on Father's Day

Dale Jr. ends winless streak on Father's Day

By BRANDON FINLEY
Sports Columnist

One could only wonder if Dale Earnhardt was looking down with a smile on Father's Day as Dale Jr. was able to cross the checkered flag in front for the first time in seventy six races. It was a win that almost wasn't for Junior as his team gambled on gas in an effort to get the driver back into victory lane.

As the race wore down so had Junior's gas tank, and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. had estimated the car would run short on gas with six laps to go. Eury also made the call to ride it out in an effort to put the car in victory lane.

As cautions came out late in the race Dale Jr. began to switch the car off in an effort to conserve gas. It was a move that paid off, and a move that put a lot of smiles on faces throughout Nascar.

Make no mistake about it. Earnhardt is still the sports most popular driver even with the winless streak that span two years. He's a name that people are familiar with, and one they want to see succeed.

It hasn't been like Earnhardt wasn't coming close. In 2008 alone he's been able to maneuver his car to eleven top ten finishes in only fifteen races. He's also had seven top fives.

Earnhardt currently sets eighty four points behind points leader Kyle Busch, who has four wins this season. Make no mistake if Earnhardt can keep consistent throughout the season he'll have a chance to capture the cup, but winning doesn't hurt.