I live in NASCAR country. I have friends who work in the Cup garage. I'm a laid back, level-headed guy. I enjoy NASCAR, but see it very objectively.
With that said, Dale Jr. is THE MOST overrated driver in the sport. I started watching in the mid 90s and no one has received the hype he has, without the talent to match. In fact, in terms of hype received and actual results, it couldn't be more out of proportion. The guy makes as many unforced errors as anyone I have ever watched race. Specifically, I mean things like pit road mistakes (two in the Daytona 500; seemingly weekly), on-track errors (first lap at summer Bristol race last year) and driving into walls (Michigan last summer).
I don't dislike the guy but anyone not seeing the world through green and white glasses can tell his talent and status just don't match up. (Same goes with his cousin crew chief. Watch how many races they'll start out as a top 10 car and then quickly adjust their way backwards in the field.)
Junior seems like a good enough guy and he handles the constant attention much better than I would. But if I was starting a new team and had my pick of drivers, I'd probably pick 12 to 15 before I'd cosider Earnhardt.
With that said, Dale Jr. is THE MOST overrated driver in the sport. I started watching in the mid 90s and no one has received the hype he has, without the talent to match. In fact, in terms of hype received and actual results, it couldn't be more out of proportion. The guy makes as many unforced errors as anyone I have ever watched race. Specifically, I mean things like pit road mistakes (two in the Daytona 500; seemingly weekly), on-track errors (first lap at summer Bristol race last year) and driving into walls (Michigan last summer).
I don't dislike the guy but anyone not seeing the world through green and white glasses can tell his talent and status just don't match up. (Same goes with his cousin crew chief. Watch how many races they'll start out as a top 10 car and then quickly adjust their way backwards in the field.)
Junior seems like a good enough guy and he handles the constant attention much better than I would. But if I was starting a new team and had my pick of drivers, I'd probably pick 12 to 15 before I'd cosider Earnhardt.