Little E a favorite son

07-26-2003

Dale Earnhardt was a quick study in NASCAR's biggest league, becoming a contender right out of the box and evolving into arguably the series' greatest champion. Before his tragic death he had already established himself as a favorite of Alabama race fans, and his record as the winningest driver in Talladega Superspeedway history was a way to give back the love. While Dale Jr. has a long, long way to go to match his dad's accomplishments, he, too, is a favorite among Cotton State gear heads. And the fact that he was elected to the Talladega/Texaco Walk of Fame after less than four years in Winston Cup is a testament to just how much we love those Earnhardts. Of course, it's pretty east for Driver 8 to love us in return — especially with four straight wins at NASCAR's Most Competitive Track. The father was the king of Talladega Superspeedway, logging 10 Winston Cup wins, one NASCAR Busch checker and three International Race of Champion victories. The heir apparent to the Talladega dynasty has carried on the family tradition. There may no longer be an "Alabama Gang" to speak of, but folks in these parts will gladly claim Little E as their own. Take his win here last April. The end of the Aaron's 499 was controversial in that Earnhardt Jr. dipped below the yellow line on the apron — normally a violation that results in a black flag and trip to the pits. But NASCAR ruled the maneuver was not made to gain any competitive advantage, and Little E was able to celebrate the first four-peat in track history. "NASCAR tells you that you don't advance your position by going below the line," Earnhardt said at the time. "That would mean to me that I would be behind somebody, pull out to go under him and be beneath the line the whole time. I do believe there's a judgment call as far as trying to avoid a wreck." Let's face it — had NASCAR broken with tradition and actually stripped Little E of his win, there would've been thousands upon thousands of upset folks in Dry valley. Certainly, his legion of fans from across the nation would've been cheesed, but those with 205, 256 and 334 area codes would've been in a rioting mood. Simply put, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the Crimson Tide and Tigers rolled into one neat package — meaning all the other great drivers in the sport have to take a backseat to his popularity when they pull onto Speedway Boulevard. Little E's latest Talladega checker means that half of his Winston Cup wins have come at TSS. His April trip to victory lane marked his eighth career win, and it was his first top finish since last October's EA Sports 500 here. Needless to say his talent has helped make him a beloved figure. The fact that he's an acorn from the Earnhardt tree most certainly is a factor. But I think another reason he has become the unofficial home state favorite of the Heart of Dixie is because he represents a good cross-section of what being a Southerner is all about — he's a little country, a little wild, very proud and pretty cool. He could fit in just fine at an Eminem concert, and he'd be right at home during a Brooks & Dunn show. Basically, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of us. And come September — when the Walk of Fame ceremony takes place at Davey Allison Memorial Park — plan on getting there early. Extremely early. There's always a nice crowd on hand for the first-class event, but this one promises to be an all-time show stopper. It'll be a fitting tribute that our adopted favorite son will be honored on the site named for another favorite son.

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