WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — A nine-position difference in the standings can make a world of difference to a driver’s attitude, as Dale Earnhardt Jr. knows only too well.
Last year, Earnhardt came to Watkins Glen International 10th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings, clinging to the final guaranteed spot in the Chase.
This year, he’s the series leader, and as an all-but-certain Chase qualifier, his approach to Sunday’s Finger Lakes 355 road-course race at the Glen is radically different.
“Coming in here in 10th place, just trying to hang on to the spot in the Chase is really, really tough — especially for someone like myself who is more cold than hot at this place,” Earnhardt said Friday at the Glen. “I’m really happy about being in a position where now we are able to come here. . . .
“We had a good test (at Road Atlanta). We’re feeling positive about our chances of having a good run. We’ll just be able to go out there and try to compete. There’s really no pressure. So that’s a good thing. That’s a good feeling.”
Rather than worry about protecting his place in the Chase, Earnhardt can afford to take risks as he tries to accumulate bonus points for the Chase. Each victory before the Chase is worth three extra points to start the postseason.
“We can forget about (making) the Chase for the moment, concentrate on being fast,” Earnhardt said. “Concentrate on what we’re doing this weekend, next weekend, really look at the particulars and try to find more speed.”
Earnhardt said his No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports team made impressive gains during last week’s road-course test at Road Atlanta. He’ll need that extra edge to keep his points lead — Earnhardt’s average finish in 12 starts at WGI is 22.2. His best result in the last six years was 15th in 2011.
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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