As I was watching this weekend’s race at Pocono Raceway, during one of the caution flag laps I noticed Dale Earnhardt Jr. holding something up on his steering wheel. Upon a closer look (the in car camera) I noticed that he was writing things down on a note pad.
[media-credit name=”Brad Keppel” align=”alignright” width=”225″]
[/media-credit]Curious as I am, I zoomed in on the note pad. It was labeled, “V”. I was thinking, what the heck is “V”. Is he writing a letter to a girl named “V”? Is he trying to send a message to someone else on the track? Are aliens going to attack and Earnhardt Jr. is the only one that knows?
Well upon closer examination, he also had a numbered list below the “V”. Number 1 said “Gas”, number 2 said “get to the front” and so forth. Now I was really confused. Maybe the alien theory is correct and I need to get some gas and make sure I am near the front when they come.
So I waited until the conclusion of the race. On pit road he did not exit his car right away and started writing on the note pad yet again. I see “48” and then “24X2” and a hastily scribbled out “106” and a bold “107!!!!!!” at the bottom.
Now the entire picture came into focus…… Earnhardt Jr. needs gas to make it to the front for his first “V”ictory in now 107 races since his teammates “48” and “24” have already been there this season.
Clearly this is a satire look at Earnhardt and the Pocono race, but the no. 88 every week, comes up a little short, either by inches or by laps.
All eyes will be on Earnhardt Jr. this weekend as his visits the site of his last victory three years ago at Michigan International Speedway.
Will he break this long win less streak or continue his current competitive consistent pace and break the more important streaks like making the “chase” and his first series championship?
Is it likely for Earnhardt Jr. to win the championship without a win? It’s highly unlikely since without the bonus points for winning a race, he could possibly enter the “chase” already down up to 10 points. Then most drivers pick up the pace….aka JJ, so a win or even multiple wins will be crucial entering and throughout the final 10 “chase” races.
So keep your eyes on the No. 88 this weekend and watch the in car camera, he might be writing down something important…. ;)
