Not being one for fanfare or a place in the spotlight, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has quietly gone about securing a place in the Chase with his new team at Hendrick Motorsports.
The driver of the Amp Energy/National Guard No. 88 Chevrolet is constantly scrutinized for his every move purely because of his name.
Junior faces pressures unlike the other drivers in the top-tier of NASCAR. He is an eight-time Most Popular Driver with a fanbase that outshines all of his competitors.
The trials and tribulations he has faced personally and as a driver in the Sprint Cup series have weighed heavily on him. His mediocre performance in 2009 and 2010 caused him to question his ability.
Now he has dug his way out of the ditch and is finding chemistry with his new team lead by crew chief, Steve Letarte. Performance is consistent, but they know there is still work to be done.
No one wants to break a winless streak worse than Earnhardt Jr. The spotlight is not near as glaring if it shines on Victory Lane.
Let's take a look at the factors which have led to a quiet resurgence in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series and see if they can make him a contender for the 2011 Championship.
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