Dale Earnhardt Jr.., who had seemed invincible in
consecutive marches to Busch series crowns in 1998 and 1999, learned a major lesson in career
focus in 2000.
Before the season many thought Earnhardt Jr.. was the favorite in what would become a two-man
race for the Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award. It didn't pan out that way when Busch Series subordinate
Matt Kenseth outran Jr., in the Daytona 500, 10th to 13th, and never let up in his run to the
title. Kenseth ultimately scored a 42=point victory in the rookie race.
The younger Earnhardt's campaign had two distinct faces to it and in the end, that dichotomy
related him to 16th int he final point standings. "Little E" scored three victories -- two of
them in Winston Cup points races -- but totaled only 5 top 10s the entire season. Amazingly, his
10th place finish at Dover in early June was his last top-10 of the season.
Earnhardt Jr.'s close relationship with his cousin, car chief Tony Eury and his crew, many of which
had been with his Busch program, was both a blessing and a curse. The continuation of his Busch
Series success to Winston Cup created an atmosphere that was too distracting and disruptive for the
operation's success to continue.
In the second half of the season he had six finishes of 30th or worse, and by the time he figured out what
had disrupted the smooth flow of success he experienced earlier in the year the season was over.
Still, Earnhardt Jr., became the second driver to score his first Winston Vup win at Texas Motor
Speedway, with 1997 inaugural winner Jeff Burton; and also became the first rookie to win THe Winston All Star race
at Lowe's Motor Speedway. With his victories and two Bud Poles, he qualified for 2001's two special
events, the Busweiser Shootout at Daytona and The Winston.
He did have a part in recreating one Winston Cup milestone when he compted with his father and older
half brother, Kerry Earnhardt, in the Pepsi 400 at Michigan International Speedway, making only the second
time a father had raced against two sons. Lee, Richard and Maurice Petty had previously
accomplished the feat.
In his sophomore year the pressure will be on the Kannapolis, N.C>, native, but Jr., had been faced with big
expectations ever since he's been in racing. He's always met the challenge in his own carefully crafted and adhered to fashion.
Jr., started 2001 with vivid dreams of a Daytona 500 victory in his No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet. Despite the
idiosyncrasis of his rookie year, Earnhardt jr., has proven beyond any doubt that his name isn't
the only thing that's gotten him to the level where he is.
The young man can drive a race car. In his two Busch Series championship seasons he scored 13
victories after giving little forecast before that, that he would be a threat to dominate his division.
Earnhardt Jr., began his professional driving career at the age of 17, competing in the
Street Stock division at Concord (N.C.) Motorsport Park. His first race car was a 1978 Monte
Carlo that he co-owned with Kerry. Within two seasons, the young Earnhardt had the driving
abilities to join the Late Model Stock Car division, where he developed an in-depth knowledge of chassis
setup and car preparation while at times racing against Kerry Earnhardt and their sister Kelley. With
his father's guidance and his own experience ont he short tracks throughout the Carolinas, he was
ready to take a bold step foreward.
Jr., uses the No.8 on his car fielded by Dale Earnhardt Inc., in honor of his grandfather's
racing number.
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