Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back on top in NASCAR in something other than a most popular driver poll.
Earnhardt has soared into the Sprint Cup points lead days for the first time in nearly eight years and he might finally give his legion of fans a reason to cheer him for more than just his last name.
He's switched teams. Endured a massive winless streak. Listened to those who said he would never live up to the championship standards set by the rest of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates.
Yet, here is Earnhardt, parked in first place, his first Cup title at last on the horizon.
"I do feel a little bit vindicated to the people that considered I wouldn't ever be competitive again," he said Friday at Pocono Raceway.
Earnhardt is about as competitive as he's ever been in his five seasons with NASCAR's premier organization, snapping a 143-race winless streak in June at Michigan, and taking three fourth-place finishes in his last four races heading into Sunday's 400-mile race at Pocono.
He has found the winning formula in the No. 88 Chevrolet with crew chief Steve Letarte, and rediscovered a dash of confidence and bravado needed to sustain a championship drive at this level. He has the consistency (he's completed every lap) and results (15 top-10 finishes) that prove his success can last deep into the season once the Chase kicks off.
