No. 10: The ‘12 Questions’ Interview With Dale Earnhardt Jr.

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.

One of the most enjoyable features I got to do this year was the “12 out of 12” interviews. For those who haven’t read them, I asked the same 12 questions to a different driver every week.

Hopefully, it helped readers get to know some of the drivers a little better. And while I got the chance to spend 10 or 15 minutes interviewing most of the drivers, it looked like the year would end without doing the 12 questions with Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Fortunately, it turned out Earnhardt Jr. was available during a Mountain Dew promotion at a Phoenix Coyotes hockey game on the penultimate weekend of the season. He graciously took his time and answered each question thoroughly and thoughtfully (which is appreciated by any media member).

When he was rushed due to time constraints toward the end, he leaned in and quietly vowed to finish the interview – even if it meant doing the last few questions in the parking lot, he said.

That didn’t turn out to be necessary, but Earnhardt Jr. spent enough time with his answers that the 12 questions interview turned out to be one of the best of the year – and the most read of them all.

Along with his immense popularity, the 12 questions with Earnhardt Jr. got enough views to earn it the No. 10 spot on our most-clicked stories list.

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

12. Drivers flattered by portrayal in South Park episode

11. List of drivers’ song choices for the Bristol night race

10. ‘12 Out Of 12’ with Dale Earnhardt Jr.

(Nos. 9-1 to be revealed soon)