Is Dale Earnhardt Junior so popular because of his last name?

Or do you think it is because of his first name (Dale)?

Is Dale Earnhardt Junior so popular because of his last name?
Dale Jr is an average driver that has two type of fans, people who cheer for him because of his dad and fans who are new to the sport and just follow the crowd of AMP shirts. I am a huge SR. fan and a fan of his race team DEI. I can't stand Jr and after the dog and pony show that was the drama of give me 51% of the team I cant stand him even more. If dale jr just came in the sport with out his daddy paving the way, he woud be just as popluar as Jamie Mac.








(Not hatin' on the Macster)
Reply:Obviously he got attention because of his name, but he also got put under a whole lot of pressure trying to live up to that name, and he performed beautifully under that pressure, he has had his busch series championships, his dominance of Talledega and daytona, his all-star challenge win, And is THIRD in points and closing. HOW IS THAT MEDIOCRE??? He may have gotten some extra attention because of SR but if that is what made him the most popular man in racing why didn't it work for Petty, Waltrip, Labonte, Busch, Andretti??? Junior unlike alot of others with racing heritage came out, proved himself, and as been a great driver to follow, even through a two year drought.





note: No offense to the Petty, Waltrip, Labonte, Busch, and Andretti families as they are all great drivers too





Edit: So with this way of thinking shouldn't Kerry Earnhardt be the second most popular driver in NASCAR???
Reply:if it's just because of his last name, then why isn't kyle petty popular? his father was 'the king'. he won 200 races compared to dale sr's 76. hmmmm? anyone care to answer that? the fact is, junior is far MORE popular than his father ever was, so you haters need to come up with something better. and he's an average driver? well, the fact is that since his rookie year in 2000 only 3 drivers have won more races than him. jeff gordon, jimmie johnson, and tony stewart. and all 3 of them have been in top notch equipment their entire careers while junior has been over achieving in crappy DEI cars. and now that junior is finally in equal equipment he's schooling all 3 of those guys on a weekly basis. 3rd in points and leading all drivers with 11 top 10s. i've always said if you put junior in equal equipment, he'd show everyone that he is as good or better as any driver in NASCAR, and he's certainly proving me right. so if it makes you haters feel better to call him an average driver knock yourselves out. but we all know better don't we ?
Reply:you can think what you want I don't care I don't like him cause of his dad I like him for who he is period!! I think Jr is great I've been his fan since he started I think he gets alot of crap cause of his last name and it's not always fair he's a good guy, a great driver, he has respect for others on and off the track and I could go on but I won't cause your not really looking for a real answer to this question!! but I like other drivers to but Jr rules in my book!!
Reply:I think it started out because of his father. But you have to remember he also made a name for himself when he won 2 Busch championships back to back. He has talent. I feel he learned a lot of it from his father, but has come by his own too. We fans also stay true to him because of who is his personally. He is down to earth and is not cocky like so many others in the sport. He remembers he is where is because of his fans and never forgets to thank them for staying by him. So many others could care less about the fans and i have seen that at the races. They only sign autographs because they have to. Jr really looks like enjoys it and he has fun with the fans.
Reply:mr. know it all...kyle petty isn't popular because his dad never had a fan base as big as Dale Sr. Yes, his dad was the King, but during those times NASCAR was popular to the "south." As Nascar started gaining popularity, Dale Sr. was the man everyone wanted to cheer for...after death, JR adopted the fans. As Nascar noobs join the scene, they go with the fan fav. and they pretty much stick to him till the end..like a domino effect.
Reply:I think he initially got his fans because of his father. I think he kept his fans because he relates very well to the everyday person. Down to earth and layed back. He's a top 10 driver talent wise. He doesn't talk $hit or make excuses. He just does his thing and a lot of people respect that. There's no reason to dislike him aside from his crazier fans being jerks. But that's not his fault.
Reply:Reasons Junior is popular...





1. Last Name


2. Budweiser


3. He became popular from the first two, so now everyone who gets into Nascar that is to lazy to think for themselves likes him too, making him even more popular.
Reply:It is probably both. People shouldn't be comparing him to Dale Sr. because they are nothing like each other. Sr. never had a long of a win drought as long as Jr.








and if Jr. can get fans by his last name..why can't Kyle Petty? The dude's father is the King for crying out loud.
Reply:After all these years of trying to figure out how he became so popular, I've given up! I myself will never understand it.


I've got nothing against the guy, I just don't get how he became the messiah of nascar, boggles my mind.


But to each his own.
Reply:Sure he's and Earnhardt, but doesn't anyone remember him in the "Busch" Series. He was amazing. He made name for himself then. Also, recently, his name is so big because he left DEI for Hendrick, and his Mother wouldn't give him the #8.
Reply:yes it was because of his dad but for the bashers calling him just an average driver the average driver doesnt have 18 wins alot of the people that bash him like that just show how little they know about nascar and are just trying to be cute and diffrent.
Reply:Yes its the name. But Jr has that personality that draws you to him. He make every body feel like he is your friend. I don't care if its a bud commercial or wrangle jeans. I think that is what it is the boy next door thing
Reply:Yep his last name. Jr. fans just want to see an Earnhardt racing.


But you can't blame his fans for trying to hang on to the past glory with Dale Sr.


Too bad Jr. is just mediocre.
Reply:Yup, popular because of his last name, but I think he stays popular because of his good attitude and his will to try to be as good as his Dad.
Reply:i think who his father was and his last name helped him get started and get out there but he deff made a name for himself as a great driver..and the ladies love him cause he hot!!
Reply:He got most of his fans because of his dad.


I think he'd rather earn the fans on his own, not just because they were fans of his dad..
Reply:It is because of his first and last name. But he's a fan friendly driver and his points status shows that he's a very good driver.
Reply:His first name is Ralph, so it's gotta be the last name. Many drivers have won more races, so it surely can't be talent making him popular!
Reply:He is popular because of his last name..and for reasons I have yet to figure out, he seems to be the 'poster child' for NASCAR.
Reply:How does Junior make him popular
Reply:i think this is a stupid question


if you follow racing you would know


if you been watching as long as me its not just a name
Reply:yes yes yes yes yes yes yes it is his daddys name...
Reply:Because of his Daddy --- and a note to Spence - Budweiser sponsers Kasey Kahne, not Jr.
Reply:yes he has even addmitted as much in interviews...
Reply:I think it is because of his dad
Reply:YES!!! BECAUSE OF HIS FATHER!