LOUDON, N.H. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. has 18 career victories, more than $52 million in winnings and a perpetual hold on NASCAR’s most popular driver award.
The only thing missing from his resume is a coveted Cup championship.
What would adding that elusive title mean? “It would improve my overall awesomeness,” Earnhardt declared.
Awesomeness?
“Yeah. I worked on greatness for a while,” he explained, “but I tapped it out.”
The quest for “awesomeness” begins today at New Hampshire International Speedway, where Earnhardt starts the Chase for the championship seeded fourth in the 12-driver field.
After a one-year absence, he’s back in the title hunt and couldn’t be more thrilled to be among the contenders.
Earnhardt was in a fantastic mood during NASCAR’s two-day swing through New York City to promote the Chase, and tales of his humorous exploits and one-liners followed him from stop to stop as teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson asked for constant updates.
With Hendrick Motorsports, Earnhardt has the equipment, support and freedom from both the pressure and drama that he was saddled with at DEI. Everything is finally equal for Earnhardt, personally and professionally, and it shows.
“I think he’s got a lot more confidence this year,” two-time series champion Tony Stewart said.
Hornaday rises above controversy.
Ron Hornaday Jr. put aside the questions and distractions from his admission of testosterone use, got in his No. 33 Chevrolet and did what he does best: go out and dominate a trucks race.
Hornaday took the lead on a restart with 42 laps to go and held off points leader Johnny Benson en route to a victory in the Craftsman Truck Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon.
Travis Kvapil was third and Erik Darnell and Rick Crawford rounded out the top five.
Dixon leads top fuel qualifiers.
CONCORD, N.C. — Larry Dixon took the No. 1 top fuel qualifying position in the NHRA Carolinas Nationals.
Frank Hawley (funny car), Kurt Johnson (pro stock) and Matt Smith (pro stock motorcycle) held on to their quick performances from Friday.
Vettel takes Italian Grand Prix pole.
MONZA, Italy — Sebastian Vettel of Toro Rosso will become the youngest Formula One driver to start from the pole position after setting the fastest qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix.
McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen was second and Red Bull’s Mark Webber third.
The Associated Press
Today’s races
NASCAR SPRINT CUP
Sylvania 300
Site:Loudon, N.H.
TV: ABC, 11 a.m.
Track: New Hampshire International Speedway (oval, 1.058 miles, 12 degrees banking in turns)
Race distance: 317.4 miles, 300 laps
Next race: Dover (Del.) 400, Sept. 21
On the Net:
FORMULA ONE
Italian Grand Prix
Site:Monza, Italy
TV: Speed Channel, 6 a.m.
Track: Autodromo Nazionale di Monza (road course, 3.599 miles, seven turns)
Race distance: 190.747 miles, 53 laps
Next race: Singapore Grand Prix, Sept. 28
On the Net:
NHRA
Carolinas Nationals
Site:Concord, N.C.
TV: ESPN2, 5 p.m. tape
Track: zMax Dragway at Concord
Next event: O’Reilly Fall Nationals, Sept. 21, Ennis, Texas
On the Net:
