Earnhardt looks to turn fortunes in California

FONTANA, Calif. – Another week, more expectations for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

NASCAR’s most popular driver got off to a good start in his new ride at Hendrick Motorsports, winning the non-points Budweiser Shootout and his 150-mile qualifying race at Daytona.

A ninth-place finish in last Sunday’s Daytona 500 wasn’t bad, either. And he did lead some laps.

But it’s not what Earnhardt’s fans expect from their hero, whose decision to leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. and sign with the powerhouse Hendrick outfit was one of the biggest stories of 2007.

Heading into today’s Auto Club 500 at the newly renamed Auto Club Speedway – formerly California Speedway – Little E is winless in 63 races since May 2006 at Richmond.

For Earnhardt to get back into the win column on today, he is going to have to improve on past performances.

In 12 races here, Junior has five top-10 finishes, topped by a fifth-place run last February.

Heading into the race, Earnhardt is mostly satisfied with what he and his No. 88 Chevrolet team have accomplished so far.

“Yeah, we had a good start, so I’m real proud of that,” Earnhardt said. “We’re looking forward to the rest of the year, just trying to keep that momentum going and continue to have a good, solid season.”

With rain washing out qualifying on Friday, Earnhardt will line up 15th today, based on the car-owner points his team inherited from last year at Hendrick.

One thing that hasn’t changed for Earnhardt is fan support.

Despite moving from his familiar red No. 8 Chevy to the white and green No. 88, people still stand and cheer whenever he drives into the lead or makes a positive move.

He also is driving a new car – the No. 5 Chevy – in the Nationwide Series race here after finishing third in the series opener at Daytona.

Another new challenge for Earnhardt is working with teammates whose fame rivals his own.

Two-time reigning Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and four-time champion Jeff Gordon, last year’s runner-up, are his Hendrick teammates, along with Casey Mears, who won his first Cup race last year.

“It’s great to have teammates like those guys who are on top of their game and who are really talented,” Earnhardt said. “Friendly competition can be a really good positive to any team.”