7 reasons to watch the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway: No. 3

By Jared Turner
Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Why should you watch Sunday's race? One name: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
 
Mired in a slump that has the Hendrick Motorsports driver 19th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings after eight races, Talladega is a golden opportunity for the sport's favorite son to redeem himself in front of some of his most passionate supporters.
 
Remember a few years ago when fans hurled beer cans at Jeff Gordon when Gordon edged Earnhardt Jr. for the win after the field was frozen by a caution on the final lap? Earnhardt Jr. might hail from North Carolina, but the fans at Talladega consider him one of their own.
 
Imagine the scene on Sunday if Earnhardt Jr. goes to victory lane, after being the source of much criticism throughout the early part of the season for not living up to expectations.
 
Incredibly, it has been five seasons since Earnhardt Jr. last triumphed at the high-banked trioval that he practically owned from 2001 to 2004.
 
That could be about to change, and even the remotest possibility that it might, makes the Aaron's 499 worth watching.

NASCAR Schedules

Fox

Daytona 500

Daytona International Speedway
2/26/2012 | 1:00pm EST
ESPN2

Drive4COPD 300

Daytona International Speedway
2/25/2012 | 1:15pm EST
Speed

NextEra Energy Resources 250

Daytona International Speedway
2/24/2012 | 7:30pm EST

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