Why does everyone think all Jr fans only like him cause of his dad?

Question

I liked Dale Sr but not enough to "only" follow Jr for that reason. I know some people may but I happen to like Jr for HIM and not for who his dad was. I've followed Jr from the begining and I think it took courage for him to leave DEI to become his own man and driver and I don't feel like anyone wants to give him any credit for not wanting to live off his daddy's name. He's not his dad and he knows it but he is still a good driver and should be reconized and respected for who he is. (sorry if I got on my soabox)

Answer 1

wtg Steffy, Gosmack and besta..they said it all, no further comment is needed, THUMBS UP!

Answer 2

You are going to get some rude remarks for this one.  

I have followed Dale Earnhardt throughout his career and when Junior started I followed him as well.  Dale Jr. is his own man.  His dad was his hero and who better to learn from than the Intimidator?  Junior was lucky to have a Dad like him, but the folks that think Junior is ONLY where he is today because of his Dad are just plain nuts.  

First off everyone that knew Earnhardt Senior also knew Junior would never get a free ride from him.  Junior wouldn't want that, the kid yearned to be like his dad and he wanted to earn that respect, he didn't want it to be given to him.  Junior worked hard to get where he is and to make his 'daddy' proud.  Senior was a working class hard azz and nothing he got came for free.  You wanted it, you worked and sweated for it and that is how he raised Junior.   Half the time Junior would go out and wreck himself and his Dad would tell him..."Yea I saw that coming but you had to learn it for yourself"

It wasn't easy for Junior to leave DEI but he had no choice if he ever wanted to see the checkers again.  Teresa didn't give him any say in the company at all.  I don't blame him for leaving he was trying to further his career.  How can you fault someone for trying to be better and reach for their goals?  It just showed that Junior is strong and decisive just like Dad.

I think it's an insult to Earnhardt himself to say Junior is only there because of him.  Junior worked and still works extremely hard for everything he has accomplished and everything he will accomplish.  He also got to make his 'Daddy' proud along the way.  Isn't that what most sons want?  Junior proves himself every time he is on the track.  3rd in points is a pretty great place to be.  He also stayed humble and honest along the way.  So I say you stay on your soapbox and keep pulling for Little E!  I know I will.

Proud member of Junior Nation!

Answer 3

Because it`s TRUE !  What is there to like other than that? He is a very average driver who got all the opportunities because of his dad. He never had to drive "Bad" equipment. Now that he is with a top team and has all the best stuff Kyle Bush is still kicking his ***!. I saw JR win a Busch race in Milwaukee and after he got out of the car he "apologized" for stinking up the show! What an EGO!!. He had by far the best car and a monkey could have won with it that day. I have not liked him at all after that pompous statement. Not because he is Dales son.

Answer 4

Of course not all of Jr's fans became fans because of his dad but you will have to admit that most of them did.

The rest of his fans were captured because of the media shoving him down their throats.

Answer 5

I liked Sr. When Jr went into Bush, it was just a natural thing for me to watch him. Yeah, he is an Earnhardt, but that is one of the biggest names in NASCAR. I liked Jr since he came in to Bush, and Winston Cup. So I have liked Jr from the beginning, I didn't hop on his bandwagon, I was on it when it came rolling by. I was the one helping up some of his fans get on when Sr died.

Answer 6

Actually, I remember that question about who my favorite driver was before I became a Jr fan, and I replied with Bobby Labonte(in fact the first NASCAR shirt I ever owned). Racing fast, how many other drivers showed up at Daytona testing the week before they were scheduled to test, simply because his teammates were testing that week? Just one Dale Jr.

Answer 7

If Jr didn't have that famous last name, in my opinion he would be just your average driver & he would, as all drivers have their fans but I don't think it would as big as it is without his father's last name

Answer 8

Not true. Dale, Sr. was not as popular as Junior. The only time he was the most popular driver was the year he was killed. Many people disliked him because of his aggressive style and Bill Elliott and Rusty Wallace had legions of fans until Jeff Gordon came on the scene. Junior is perceived as a nicer guy and has more fans than his father did. Senior won a lot of races and it is doubtful Junior will ever get close to his dad's win total.

Answer 9

I hope you feel better getting that off of your chest.

Jr is his own man, but do you honestly think he'd have as big of a fan base if he wasn't Earnhardt Sr's son?

Answer 10

1 GOOD REASON is because in many, many interviews Dale Jr has admitted He Inherited alot of Srs. fan base after SR. Died!!!!!!!

Answer 11

IMHO Most of them are just trolling and don't know jack about NASCAR.

Me, I've never cared much for any of the Earnhardts, until now.  No, I'm not jumping on any bandwagons and I don't consider myself a member of Junior Nation.  But Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has manned up, as Bootie Barker would say.  He's stepped out of his daddy's (and stepmommy's) shadow and is doing quite well, thank you.

And I agree with Boondie.  Some of you should consider going to summer school and furthering your education.

Answer 12

I think this is the link I like racing was talking about: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=2...

Most of the ones that say their Jr. fans now started out as Sr. fans. And plus, many people can't understand why people would like someone with Jr's track record. I think he is about like Greg Biffle...good racer but you don't hear much about him...and had it not been for his dad I think his fan base would be about that size, too. They both have pretty good personalties, but Jr. still hasn't won in 2 years now so people wonder why he's still the most popular driver despite that, when other people have a lot more wins and success than him.

So I think that is why, and like the link above, most Jr. fans did start as Sr. fans. But he's doing good in points this season. I think some people look past him being dale "JR", and look at how the fans go CRAZY when he takes the lead, and they (including me), are just thinking "why?" People take the lead all the time, even fan favorites, but he gets the most response, and once again I think that's where the Dale Sr. fans come in and the ones who feel sorry for Jr. losing his dad. That's the only way to explain all the fans going crazy. I compared him to Greg Biffle earlier, but when he takes the lead they don't pan the cameras out to get the fan reaction. Then again, his last name is Biffle, not Earnhardt. So if they weren't inherited, it's hard to deny that Earnhardt Sr. had a big impact on them becoming his fans. But that's just my opinion.

Answer 13

My God! What happened here? Or rather, more importantly, when does summer school/summer camp start?

edit: my comments are not directed at the asker.

Answer 14

I was a Jr. fan because I was a fan of his dad's as I got to meet Dale sr. twice.  When Jr. left DEI  I fully understood.  And yes it did take courage.  But he had his choice and went with hendricks.  And he lost a good many fans for doing that though you wouldn't know it to listen to Darell Waltrip.  Sure he still has his fans...but he hasn't won a race in over two years.  So how good of a driver is he???    I believe he already peaked.

But I understand your committment...I am an Elliot Sadler fan and he hasn't won a race in awhile either.

Answer 15

jr. showed a lot of promise early in his career, but its dwindled off every year it seems like and he hasnt won still in 2 years. he has the best equip. money can buy and still isnt winning but hes getting good finishes.

if you go back to one of those questions a while back that said who was your first fav. driver every dale jr fan said dale sr.

that is good proof but also his early success probably got him a lot of fans too and it was even better that he had the last name to go along with that success.