NASCAR: Five Reasons Why Talladega Will Be A Dud
By Mike Hutton
USA TODAY Sports
Media Hype
We’re going to hear all week about ‘Dega. We’ll hear about how Kenseth and Earnhardt, Jr. are in a must-win situation. We’ll hear some fallout over the Kenseth vs. Logano dust up at the end of the Kansas race, costing Kenseth an almost certain win. But more so than any other story line, we’ll hear the callers to talk radio shows profess how Junior is going to whip the field this week now that he has to. We’ll hear references to Junior’s daddy, and how he’s destined to have a good day.
Know what? None of it will matter.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is just one of 43 drivers out there, all with an equal chance to win. He’s not his daddy — never has been, never will be, doesn’t want to be. He’s not going to get that mysterious “special plate” that some believe exists. He won’t get a different motor. He won’t get any different treatment from race officials.
Is he a talented restrictor-plate driver? Absolutely. Better than most? Probably. However in a race where so much is left to chance and very little is influenced by the driver, none of the hype means a thing.
When Dale Earnhardt, Jr. doesn’t win, that will make this race a dud. You watch. It will happen.