Sunday, the NASCAR community finally saw an Earnhardt cruise into Victory Lane once more. After a long four year drought, one of motorsports most iconic drivers took the checkered flag at Michigan International Speedway.
"This is so great. I'm just proud of Junior. He's been chipping away at it for a while -- especially this year," said driver of the Lowes 48, Jimmie Johnson.
Earnhardt's win may be just what the Sprint Cup Series needs to help boost the falling attendance numbers. Johnson, a five time Sprint Cup points champion and Hendricks Motor Sports teammate, has claimed 5 of the past 6 titles and arguably has caused the sport to grow a bit stale to the casual fan.
But despite Johnson's recent domination of the series, Earnhardt has remained a brand name that evokes loyalty from the fans in a way no other driver has been able to capture. His popularity within the racing world was made apparent yesterday when not only a large part of the fan base, but a majority of his competitors themselves offered sincere congratulations.
"I guess it means I'm an all-right dude," said Earnhardt Jr. in response to the outpouring of support from his opponents. When people are happy for me and wanted to see me do good. That's the way I am about people. I want to see good people do good things. I want to see good people have success and be happy."
Earnhardt is currently second in the Sprint Cup Series Point standings.
