Perhaps a controversial NASCAR question?

Question

Would Dale Earnhardt Jr. be the most popular driver in NASCAR if his dad didn't die at Daytona? I reallyu don't think he would be so popular elsewise. If Dale Sr. lived through that crash and retired at an old age to focus on ownership would Jr. be the most popular driver? Honestly I don't think so. Probably Jeff Gordon would be most popular and not Jr. Jr has talent and is good but I don't see him being such a great driver that is worthy of being the most popular driver.

Answer 1

yeah a statistic showed thta 80% of the people who liked Dale Sr. went to liking Dale junior. and Dale Sr. had a lot of fans.

Answer 2

Even if Dale Sr. didn't die, I think he would have been retired by now and all his fans would follow Jr. I do believe the death of Sr. (although tragic) may have given him the popularity sooner, but just a matter of time before he got it anyway.

Answer 3

That question is one I have thought about myself...being a Dale fan that continues to revere the man as if he still raced today and also a HUGE Gordon fan as well as a fan of the son Junior along with a few select others, I can honestly say I think Junior would be as popular as he is, but not as to the magnitude we see today, and the reason for that is his fathers fans needed someplace to place their love and respect, and Junior has grown and matured beyond his years, perhaps this is due to his fathers passing, but the Dale fan in me will always support the son, even on his bad days...he is as good as any of them out there and for that deserves our respect.

Answer 4

Yeah maybe not as popular but he would still probably be most popular next to his dad, think about how down to earth and real he is, thats why ppl like him just listen to him when he talks and stuff he is a real person that ppl can relate to

Answer 5

No he wouldn't, and if his last name was not Earnhardt he would have a smaller fan base. He wouldn't have many fans at all, because quite frankly, he doesn't have much of a personality. He was only voted MPD after his dad died anyway, and I think that was because of the sympathy vote.

Answer 6

Jr was already popular before Dale died.  Would be be this popular?  Maybe not but I have no doubt he would be in the top 3.

Answer 7

Yea i agree i think that that did help him in that area but i think tha tjr has that personality and i think that he got a few fans before his dad died bc of who he dad was then when that horrible accident occured i think that ppl could somewhat relate to jr. bc sooo many ppl looked up to him...and i do think that Jeff Gordon would the most popular driver...but he is 2nd in sells and made the most money last year out of everyone of the drivers....

Answer 8

I don't think so either, but he's different from his dad and while I'm not a JR freak, I like him in spite of his name.

Answer 9

Here's a better question.  If fans picked favorite driver by pure talent who would win.  As a matter of fact, i think ill ask that.  Dont think it would be jr.   SORRY!!!!!

Answer 10

I agree. If Dale Sr. wasn't his dad I don't think he would even be in the sport.

Answer 11

He was very popular before his father died.  He only lost rookie of the year (2000) by 42 points to Matt Kenseth.  He has been most popular driver for the last 5 years.  He didn't get all those on the reputation and name of his father.  Jr. has talent, he just hasn't had the equipment to show it off.  Besides, most popular is not based on wins or driving ability.  He is the most likeable!

Go Jr.>>>>

Answer 12

Junior still would have been the most popular driver because no matter what (dead or alive) JUnior is still Earnhardt's son which is what makes him so famous... it isn't because his dad died it was just that that was his dad... but senior might have been more popular then junior

Answer 13

I see where you are going with this and I can see your point, but...If Sr. had survived and was able to direct DEI, I don't think that there would have been near the problems and I know that Mrs. Earnhardt would not have gained all the control. Jr. would have been able to focus on the racing and less on the politics. Sr. had the best way of handling the BS that came and went. Jr. had to learn the hard way how to deal, and then drive. In the end, Dale Jr. would have been the fan favorite, but it might have been alot closer...

Answer 14

Yes Probable Dale Jr would be or Tony Stewart