LONG POND, PA – AUGUST 03: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Diet Mountain Dew/AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, signs autographs for fans before the start of practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway on August 3, 2012 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Earnhardt Jr. Rides High into Pocono
By: Pete Pistone on August 3, 2012
LONG POND, Pa. – Dale Earnhardt carries the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point lead into Sunday’s Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway.
But although Earnhardt is proud of the effort that has given him the series lead for the first time since 2004, he also understands what it means at this point of the season given the format of the Chase.
“We need to win more races,” Earnhardt said Friday at Pocono. “We need to show up and be the fastest car more often. We’ve been quick, but we’ve only been the fastest guy once or twice this year.
“I don’t think that’s good enough. I know our team would like to win more races. To be able to contend for the championship, our teams needs another 10 or 15 percent.”
While Earnhardt is keeping things in perspective he also has a feeling of satisfaction for what has been accomplished so far this year. In addition to climbing to the top of the standings, Junior also finally erased a four-year winless drought in Michigan last June.
“I do feel a little bit vindicated to the people that considered that I wouldn’t ever be competitive again,” said Earnhardt. “Aside from winning a few more races, I don’t know how much more of a statement I could have made than we made this year.
Read more at MRN.
August 4, 2012
NASCAR