Bud Without… Earnhardt Has Grown

His appearance is dissimilar. His focus has narrowed. He has renounced celebrity, notoriety, and recognition. He has surrendered fame and fortune. His lone desire? A championship. The ordinary jewelry which separates icons and nonentities.

On Saturday, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Budweiser Shootout. Earnhardt edged Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Reed Sorenson, and Casey Mears. “I'm pretty happy. I mean, it's hard to beat Dale Jr.,” Stewart said. “I mean, he's one of the best restrictor-plate drivers there's ever been. He learned a lot from his dad, and I'm not sure he's not better than his dad in all honesty.”

Dale Earnhardt amassed 7 championships, 76 victories, and 428 top ten finishes. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has only 17 victories and 121 top ten finishes. He is not his father. However, he has matured. Clearly, the populist rock star has new ambitions.