Over the past week, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelly Earhhart Elledge, and JR Motorsports announced that Aric Almirola would be joining JRM to drive the number 88 car next season in the Nascar Nationwide Series. As Dale Jr, and JRM finalize the details for next season, there is still a lot of racing left in 2010. To finish out the season, Earnhardt will share time in the 88 car with other drivers; the possibility of Almirola is included. Next year, Earnhardt will share seat time in JRM’s second car, the number 7 GoDaddy.com Chevy, with Danica Patrick and Josh Wise.
You probably already knew all of that news, so what is my point? My point, is that Earnhardt Jr. will be racing more races in the Nationwide Series, starting this weekend at Bristol behind the wheel of the 88 car. This could prove to be the kick start that Dale needs to right the ship that is about to capsize in the Cup Series. I am a proponent of struggling drivers getting more seat time in any series they can in order to improve their overall performance. Dale Earhhardt Jr. in the Nationwide Series for more races is a good thing for himself, his sponsors, Nascar, and the Nascar Nation as a whole. More seats will be filled and more merchandise will be sold.
If, as I predict, Junior starts having more success in the Nationwide Series, I could pontificate him running some Truck Series races as well. Also, with success in the Nationwide Series, and a mountain of frustration growing at Hendrick Motorsports, I think it would be a safe bet to say that the momentum would carry up to the Cup Series. Wins in the Nationwide Series could parlay into wins in the Truck and Cup Series, and the salvaging of what has been yet another disastrous season.
This is all just speculation, but with a lot of educated guessing. What do you think? Will Dale Jr.’s Nationwide racing equal a resurgence in the Cup Series? What would you like to see Dale Earnhardt Junior do? Post your comments bellow.
Dale Jr. Amp Energy Chat (Nascar.com)










