LONG POND, Pa. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes his first win in three years is on the way. He’s just not ready to predict where he’ll celebrate in Victory Lane.
Earnhardt was in a jovial mood Friday at Pocono Raceway, and with good reason. He’s coming off a second-place finish, is third in points and has been enjoying his finest season since his move to Hendrick Motorsports.
Earnhardt still hasn’t won in 106 races, but he’s getting close. And he says that beats running 25th every week. He finished 21st in the standings last year and 25th in 2009, yet he’s maintained his grip as NASCAR’s most popular driver.
He’s not satisfied, though. Earnhardt knows he has to win a race for fans and critics to believe he’s really a contender.
