Earnhardt Jr.’s Confidence On The Rise At Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Dale Earnhardt Jr. left Daytona frustrated and furious last July. One of his favorite tracks, the place forever linked to his family name, had become a bore.

Junior disliked every aspect of the newfangled tandem racing at NASCAR’s superspeedways: the blind pushing, the feeling of not being in total control and the need for constant communication. He called it a “foolish freakin’ race” following his 19th-place finish.

His outlook has changed considerably since. Between some NASCAR-mandated changes, results during testing and 54 wild laps in the exhibition Budweiser Shootout, Earnhardt’s concerns have been
alleviated.

Now, he might even be considered a front-runner heading into Thursday’s qualifying race and Sunday’s season-opening Daytona 500.