From the Marbles - NASCAR

From the Marbles

Thu Oct 15, 2009 6:21 pm EDT

O-VER-RA-TED! Junior's marketability stays strong without wins

By Jay Busbee

There's often a wide gulf in sports between marketability and victory. The New York Yankees haven't won a World Series since Bill Clinton was president, and yet they remain one of the most popular teams in sports. LeBron James has won exactly as many championships as you have, and yet he's one of the most marketable athletes on the planet. And Dale Earnhardt Jr. is suffering through his worst season in years, perhaps ever, and yet he remains atop NASCAR's list of most popular drivers.

NASCAR.com's SuperStore ranks its best-sellers this way:

1. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. Tony Stewart
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Jimmie Johnson
5. NASCAR-branded items
6. Kyle Busch
7. Carl Edwards
8. Kasey Kahne
9. Mark Martin
10. Dale Earnhardt Sr.

For the reason why Junior's at the top of that list, you need look no farther than the bottom of it. Earnhardt is carrying on his father's name, and he has the kind of aw-shucks Everyman demeanor that makes him an appealingly blank slate. Much like Brett Favre, with whom he shares a current Wrangler ad, Earnhardt appears to act the way we think we would if we were in his shoes -- humble, laid-back, cool and casual.

Thing is, he's not rocking that style in victory lane. While Earnhardt's travails are well-known among the NASCAR faithful, he's now raising eyebrows outside the sport. CNBC's Darren Rovell pulls no punches in his critique of Junior: "With the exception of maybe Anna Kournikova, there has never been an athlete in the history of sports who has been so popular over such a long period of time with such little success," Rovell says. "Earnhardt, who recently turned 35, is clearly running out of time to live up to his last name. But at least his last name is making a living for him."

But for a huge part of Earnhardt's fanbase, the losing is actually a badge of honor. Sticking with him through these tough times -- no matter how long they last -- has become a matter of respect and pride.

Let's be honest -- barring a miraculous turnaround, Earnhardt will never come close to equaling his father's record on the track. But by being the kinder, gentler face of NASCAR off it, he's got influence far beyond what The Intimidator ever dreamed. He's got the diehards and the casual viewers, and that's a major victory in itself.

When does Earnhardt Jr. become unmarketable? [CNBC via Yahoo! Sports]

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110 Comments

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  1. Carol
    1. Posted by Carol Thu Oct 15, 2009 6:41 pm EDT

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    Gah! Check ur inbox.
  2. Phoenix H
    2. Posted by Phoenix H Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:53 pm EDT

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    I like Dale Jr. He's alright. People say he's running out of time, but look at Mark Martin. I still think he has enough time to get his act together, and I think he will one year.
    The past 3 races, he's worked his @$$ off, just to get wrecked near the end and have it all for naught. Every Lucky Dale has his day though.
    He's certainly not the best driver out there, but most people can relate to him. He's an underdog (or underdale?)
  3. Bush SUCKS
    3. Posted by Bush SUCKS Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:02 pm EDT

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    I WAS a Junior fan. He is supposed to have the same equipment as the other hendrick drivers but he has FAILED completely. He keeps getting taken out (which I agree is not his fault) but COME ON!!! Can I get my money back I pissed away on the 88 cap I bought at Mark Martin's ford dealership in April when you were there? Very disappointed in the 88 team. I HATE the 48 now so much that I would rather see Kyle Busch win all of the races left this year if it means johnson does not STEAL another title. YES I said steal. This is Stewart's year if not for the STUPID chase. the chase sucks and that is why I watch FOOTBALL on Sunday's now. Nascar is a JOKE!!!!!!!!!!! The crew cheat Knaus is OVER RATED!!!! Hop on your band wagon JJ fans and watch him fail. I hope he fails in getting his 4th. Nascar / WWE it's all the same. Go get'em Mark Martin!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  4. jt saints
    4. Posted by jt'saints Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:52 pm EDT

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    Bush SUCKS, hate to admit it, but , you're right. Still a Jr fan though
  5. Lori
    5. Posted by Lori Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:18 pm EDT

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    Jr. can't help that he was born into the Earnhardt family. I think so many people expect him to be like his father. He isn't his father nor is he claiming to be. Could you imagine being in the spot light like he is. I watch almost every race, wouldn't it be nice if no one stuck a microphone in his face if he was involved in a wreck or he finished in the top 10. I think people should give him a break and let him have his own identity. Everyone expect him to win every race. Don't get me wrong I would be happy to see him in winner circle but after changing crew chief and his crew on pit road keep making mistakes, just like at Dover he was winning came in for a pit stop and his tire changer didn't get the lug nuts tight. Go figure!!! Just another costly mistake.
  6. starboard_break
    6. Posted by starboard_break Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:22 pm EDT

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    Who is Darren Rovell?
  7. b1stelter@...
    7. Posted by b1stelter@... Fri Oct 16, 2009 12:35 am EDT

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    Dear Jay,
    You are pathetic!!! Jr. isn't his father and has never pretended to be!!! If you look at his stats over the years he has more wins than alot of drivers. Why don't you find someone else to write about? How about Kevin Harvick, Ryan Neuman and others who don't have the wins that Jr has accumulated. However, its writers like you who make him out to be the worst driver ever.
    It isn't his fault that his car hasn't been up to par with the other Hendricks drivers. Have you read what Mark Martin has said about Jr. I suppose not because you are too busy bashy him!!
    Yahoo sucks without writers like Jerry Bonkowski and Bob Margolis.
  8. Go Chargers
    8. Posted by Go Chargers Fri Oct 16, 2009 12:52 am EDT

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    Forgive me but I really need to ask……………
    Is a ‘Dear Jay’ letter anything like a ‘Dear John’ letter ?
  9. Crane Poole and Schmidt
    9. Posted by Crane Poole and Schmidt Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:01 am EDT

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    Didn't Amelia Earnhardt disappear over the pacific ocean?
  10. ROTTEN-ONE
    10. Posted by ROTTEN-ONE Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:23 am EDT

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    Tile -- it was the Atantic ! Bermuda triangle !
  11. ROTTEN-ONE
    11. Posted by ROTTEN-ONE Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:25 am EDT

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    Atlantic I meant
  12. Crane Poole and Schmidt
    12. Posted by Crane Poole and Schmidt Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:35 am EDT

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    Charles Lindburgh made the first solo flight across the Gulf of Mexico in the Sprit of Saint Ludicrous.
  13. jumbo
    13. Posted by jumbo Fri Oct 16, 2009 7:42 am EDT

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    Dale jr is my driver...period. many fans obviously feel that way. yes, winning would be better, but if that were the criteria for fans, only the 48 should have fans.
    (aside to busbee...more jr trash non-journalism from you)
  14. SBE
    14. Posted by SBE Fri Oct 16, 2009 7:53 am EDT

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    I find it interesting that when Jr. runs good, he is immediately associated with trying to be like his father, and repeating his father's dominance. But as soon as he starts running poorly, Jr. nation jumps on the "he's not his father" bandwagon. Make up your mind.
    I have never thought this guy possessed much talent, and always thought he was milking daddy's notes from the tracks. As these tracks have evolved away from those notes, he has started to suck more. That being said, the guy is supposed to be very nice and does a lot for the sport, although I look at 88 hats about like I look at Red Sox hats now: seems everyone has them.
    Jay, I also find it interesting that you started this letter on a tirade about Jr. being overrated, and ended it on a sappy, altruistic note. Nonetheless, keep 'em coming!
  15. Beer Is My Anti-Drug
    15. Posted by Beer Is My Anti-Drug Fri Oct 16, 2009 7:58 am EDT

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    Needs more Kyle Busch!
  16. Rudy88
    16. Posted by Rudy88 Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:16 am EDT

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    jumbo - Jay writes what people want to talk about. Why do you think it is that blogs about Jr usually get the most attention. It's because people want to talk about him, whether it's to praise him or to put him down.
  17. jdenton1952
    17. Posted by jdenton1952 Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:19 am EDT

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    Rick are your eyes open, you have the most popular driver, running in the back, thats why he gets into wrecks, he has the best or same equitment as the other hendrick cars, and has a pit stop and goes in and comes out 5 or 6 places behind off pit road, thats hard to make up, the other henrick teams are not having this problem, i am a jr fan, but come on guys whats up, either get him and the team on target, or let him move on, how about, putting tony eury sr. with him, as they won to busch championships together, need to make changes or move people around.
  18. Rudy88
    18. Posted by Rudy88 Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:23 am EDT

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    SBE - I've been reading these comments, daily for well over 2 yrs and yet to see, to my remembrance, anyone comparing Jr to his dad. That's a fantasy of you imagination. You are also a very poor judge of talent if you think Jr has no talent, or is over rated. Jr's stats, lifetime, put him in the top ten of drivers. How can you call that "not possessing much talent"? You are, evidently, a fly by night NASCAR fan, that doesn't really pay attention the the real facts.
  19. Rudy88
    19. Posted by Rudy88 Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:31 am EDT

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    jdenton 1952 - Give Lance McGrew a chance. He's doing a good job and Jr ISN'T RUNNING AT THE BACK OF THE PACK! He's been running in the top ten and top five lately. his pit crew has improved immensely and are timed as one of the fasted crews and even, at times, THE FASTEST. If you're really a fan, you should have noticed these things. The crew does occasionally makes mistakes, (lug nuts) but their improvement is obvious.
  20. Beer Is My Anti-Drug
    20. Posted by Beer Is My Anti-Drug Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:33 am EDT

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    Rudy88 - are you talking about all stats combined (top 10's, top 5's, wins, etc.) or just wins? If it's just wins, Jr. would be tied for 26th overall with Neil Bonnett, Geoffery Bodine, Kurt Busch, and Harry Gant. Just behind Buddy Baker and just ahead of Marivn Panch.
    (Thanks Google!)
  21. penske2car
    21. Posted by penske2car Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:47 am EDT

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    i am NOT a jr worshiper. however, detractors need to give the man the benefit of the doubt. Racing is in his DNA, and its just a matter of time before they turn around the dreaded "4th Hendrick Team". Then he will win again.
  22. brinirmess
    22. Posted by brinirmess Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:58 am EDT

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    Rudy- Yes the improvements are obvious to those that have their eyes open. There will always be Jr haters, and complainers. The fact remains that if not for his last name, he would probally not be the most popular driver, maybe not even be a driver period. BUT, and here's the big but ...he is a Nascar driver, and he has proven that he has talent. He is capable of winning and performing well. It's so easy to down on someone compared to being a fan even through the bad years. You got my respect Rudy, so here's a spicy 88 for you.
  23. Rudy88
    23. Posted by Rudy88 Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:59 am EDT

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    Beer - Right on. I'm not looking at wins. However, I can't remember what the figure I came up with on wins, but I know he's averaged 1.7 wins per season, and look at all the drivers that don't average one win per season. I also agree with penske2car. I believe he'll win again. He's showing improvement now aand as Lance learns more about how to set up the CoT for Jr, we might just see him take off again!
  24. Ken
    24. Posted by Ken Fri Oct 16, 2009 9:15 am EDT

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    Give Jr. a break. He's doing the best he can. He would never have been given the opportunity to race in NA$CAR if he didn't have the Earnhardt name and support. He doesn't have the drive, determination or need to dedicate himself 100% to racing. He has more fans and money than anyone else in the sport without pushing himself or making any sacrafice. The disadvantage is he has no privacy and can not move around like a normal person.

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