Earnhardt Jr. wins his 5th most popular driver award

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Earnhardt Jr. wins his 5th most popular driver award
SCENEDAILY - 9:42PM ET THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2007 - BY SCENEDAILY STAFF REPORT
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. (left) accepts the Most Popular Driver award from General Mills' Laura Raether. DAVID GRIFFIN / NASCAR SCENENEW YORK - Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver award for the fifth consecutive season in an announcement made Thursday during the Myers Brothers Luncheon.

Earnhardt Jr. earned 1.4 million of the 3.8 million votes cast on www.mostpopulardriver.com. Fans could vote once a day for their favorite driver, and voting ended November 19.


"I'm extremely honored to win this award again, because it puts me with a very select group of drivers who I have a lot of respect for," Earnhardt Jr. said. "When I became a Cup driver in 1999, I never would've imagined that we'd be talking about five consecutive Most Popular Driver awards. I have a special place at JR Motorsports where I put the MPD trophies, so I'm honored to add another one to the collection.

"I don't want it to sound like a cliché, but this award really does mean a lot to me after all we have been through this year. This year has marked a significant transition in my life and career, and I knew the fans could go either way in supporting my decision or not. It was tough, and I don't underestimate the fans' support. It's been overwhelming, and I really appreciate it."

Earnhardt Jr. went through a tumultuous season, publicly feuding with stepmother and team owner Teresa Earnhardt before announcing he was leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc.

Earnhardt Jr. later announced he was joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2008.

Earnhardt, Jr. joins Richard Petty and Bill Elliott as the only drivers to win five straight awards. Petty won from 1974-1978 and Elliott won from 1984-1988.

Other drivers who finished in this year's top 10 include Jeff Gordon, who finished second in the voting, followed by Michael Waltrip, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, Elliott Sadler and Dale Jarrett.

He went winless in 2007, the first time in his Cup career he failed to win a race.

Among other award winners announced during the luncheon at Cipriani include Home Depot Humanitarian Award: Penske Racing President Don Miller; NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award: ESPN Marketing; Buddy Shuman Award (for dedication to NASCAR): Robert Yates; Bud Pole Award (for most poles): Jeff Gordon; USG Improving the Finish Award: Matt Kenseth; DirecTV Crew Chief of the Year: Mike Ford; Clevite Engine Builder of the Year: Hendrick Engines; Goodyear Gatorback Fastest Lap Award: Jimmie Johnson; Dow Automotive Strategic Call of the Race Award: Johnson; Sunoco Diamond Performance Award: Johnson; Goodyear Award: Johnson.
 
Jr is a big hit with the fans. The vote total was in his favor big time. He almost got half of the total votes. I have no problem with the vote. I like Jr as well as Gordon.
 
muggle not said:
Jr is a big hit with the fans. The vote total was in his favor big time. He almost got half of the total votes. I have no problem with the vote. I like Jr as well as Gordon.
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And I still don't see what the attraction is. He is one of the most unapproachable of all the drivers. He routinely has the shortest meet and greet times. He is stand offish. And the big question is what do the girls see as he is far from being good looking. And if you put him beside some of the other drivers he's down right ugly.
I suppose it is the rejection of his fans and sponsors that makes him so desireable. Each one trying to earn his attention. :confused:
 
barelypure said:
And I still don't see what the attraction is. He is one of the most unapproachable of all the drivers. He routinely has the shortest meet and greet times. He is stand offish. And the big question is what do the girls see as he is far from being good looking. And if you put him beside some of the other drivers he's down right ugly.
I suppose it is the rejection of his fans and sponsors that makes him so desireable. Each one trying to earn his attention. :confused:
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Well he did drive a beer wagon...maybe that has something to do with it
 
kelloggs5TLfan said:
Yet. ;)
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grimace.gif
 
barelypure said:
And I still don't see what the attraction is. He is one of the most unapproachable of all the drivers. He routinely has the shortest meet and greet times. He is stand offish. And the big question is what do the girls see as he is far from being good looking. And if you put him beside some of the other drivers he's down right ugly.
I suppose it is the rejection of his fans and sponsors that makes him so desireable. Each one trying to earn his attention. :confused:
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I disagree with you. I met him at Richmond in 2004 under rather bizzare circumstances, and he was very casual. He doesn't walk around with a foot in his mouth and a stick up his azz like some of these other drivers do.

I'm personally sick of all the drivers wearing a suit and tie all the time and having to look like a movie star and speak clearly. We grew attracted to drivers who had emotion, got mad, was blue collar.

Junyer's one of the few remaining blue collar drivers. I'm getting sick of all the golden boy Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne drivers out there. It really degrades the quality of the sport.
 
I'm just sick and tired of all the hoopla over this. The FACT is that THE FANS gave him this award...THE END.
 
AndyMarquisLIVE said:
I disagree with you. I met him at Richmond in 2004 under rather bizzare circumstances, and he was very casual. He doesn't walk around with a foot in his mouth and a stick up his azz like some of these other drivers do.

I'm personally sick of all the drivers wearing a suit and tie all the time and having to look like a movie star and speak clearly. We grew attracted to drivers who had emotion, got mad, was blue collar.

Junyer's one of the few remaining blue collar drivers. I'm getting sick of all the golden boy Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne drivers out there. It really degrades the quality of the sport.
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Speaking of that, several years back we were walking up to Darlington and finally recognized the person beside us as Bobby Labonte. Yeah, the suit should have been a give away that he was someone and that is finally why I gave him a good look. He was very gracious.

Oh, and as to degrading the sport with all the pretty boys, I won't insult you by asking how many championships Lil'E has, instead let's embarrass you more by talking his number of wins... ;)
 
All I have to say is, at last he won SOMETHING this year..... oh yeah...and Rick Hendrick hired him. I guess Jr likes being among "cry babies," cry babies with multiple championships.:rolleyes: I heard a lot of whining coming from him and it wasn't about his engines this past year. He should have been spitting mad about them. I used to think he was a really nice guy, but he had all kinds of excuses when he was just plain driving like an idiot at times and it was always someone elses fault. Uh huh. He better perform in 08 or he's gots lots of 'splainin' to do. Just ask Brian the Brain France! :D

BTW - Jeff was in 2nd place if it's any consolation for all of "our" voting. :p
 
In kansas this year he was very accessable, the ones that acted like they were all high and mighty was kasey kahne and jimmie johnson.
 
What is the big surprise. Jr and Gordon are the two most popular drivers in Nascar and they came in 1 and 2 in the voting. I would have been surprised if they didn't finish 1 and 2.
 
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