Though the calendar has changed, it’s not too late to look back at last season. SB Nation is counting down its top 15 most-viewed NASCAR stories of 2010 during the first two weeks of January.
No. 13: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Finishes 16th At Las Vegas
You’re probably wondering why a simple story about where Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished at Las Vegas is No. 13 on this list.
Did Earnhardt Jr. say something controversial afterward that got lots of attention? No.
Did he wreck out of the race or get involved in a fierce battle with another driver? Nope.
This story was simply about him finishing 16th in the Vegas and discussing his day. That’s it.
Honestly, though, it shouldn’t come as that big of a surprise to anyone. Even a story about an average race for Earnhardt Jr. can draw more readers than stories about the top three finishers combined.
The guy is just overwhelmingly popular, with a dedicated and passionate fan base unmatched by any other driver. Despite his popularity, though, Earnhardt Jr. remains under-covered in much of the NASCAR media due to his recent lack of on-track success.
Though we’ve been accused of catering too much to Junior Nation in terms of our NASCAR coverage, we have to wonder: If there are so many loyal Dale Jr. fans that will flock to read about even a 16th-place finish in an uneventful race, why wouldn’t we write about him?
Our Most Popular NASCAR Stories of 2010:
15. Instant reaction to Hendrick Motorsports crew chief swap
14. Why Dale Earnhardt Jr. won’t tweet
13. Dale Earnhardt Jr. finishes 16th at Las Vegas
(Nos. 12-1 to be revealed soon)
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