NASCAR counts on Earnhardt

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The crowd in front of Dale Earnhardt Jr. stretched five deep, everyone straining to hear the season goals of NASCAR’s most popular driver.

Across the room, his championship-winning teammates chatted with a more intimate crowd, neither surprised by the scene.

“Well, Junior’s in the house, you know?” laughed four-time series champion Jeff Gordon.

The hype surrounding Earnhardt’s move to Hendrick Motorsports is in high gear, and only figures to grow when he takes his new ride down South later this week to prepare for the season-opening Daytona 500. NASCAR’s biggest star will make his debut with NASCAR’s best team, and the pressure is on everyone to make sure it’s a resounding success.

Considered by some to be an overrated driver who inherited his late father’s passionate fan base, Earnhardt knows he has an opportunity to prove his talent level warrants his superstar status.

After assembling NASCAR’s version of a “Murder’s Row” lineup of drivers, owner Rick Hendrick understands the difficulties ahead in ensuring all four of his teams will contend for wins now that Earnhardt is in the mix.

Even NASCAR, which has pushed forward despite sagging television ratings and declining attendance, recognizes the importance in Earnhardt finding success with Hendrick.

It’s documented that when Earnhardt is in the mix, ratings spike. When he’s out of contention, his ardent fans often tune out.

NASCAR chairman Brian France believes his sport is no different from any other in that it banks on its stars to raise interest.

“He’s the marquee driver that we have – no different than a marquee franchise that other sports enjoy,” France said. “If Dale Jr. has a big year, that will help. I don’t think anybody wants to have success any more than he does. If he does, it will benefit us.”

Earnhardt doesn’t seem to mind the pressure.

“It makes you feel like you’ve got to be luckiest guy on the face of the earth,” said Earnhardt, stuck in a 62-race winless drought. “There ain’t a guy out there that wouldn’t trade to be in this position.”

And what about sharing the spotlight for Gordon and Johnson?

“It’s reality and if we don’t recognize that, then we’re foolish,” Gordon said. “It’s not all about on-track performance. Dale’s in a very unique situation, he didn’t necessarily ask for it, but he handles it very well. And he’s got to take advantage of it and if that’s what is good for the sport, then I’m glad he’s at our organization.”