Earnhardt Jr.'s goal for Martinsville: Win
By SceneDaily Staff
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Rusty Jarrett / Getty Images for NASCAR
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a string of top finishes at Martinsville Speedway, but he has never won there. He says that Hendrick Motorsports has kept him out of victory lane at the track - something that could obviously enhance his effort this weekend since he now drives for the organization.
Hendrick drivers have run well at the track in recent seasons. Jeff Gordon has 10 consecutive top-10 finishes there, all but two of which are top-fives. He swept the races at the track in 2003 and 2005. Hendrick's Jimmie Johnson pretty much took over from there. He has 11 consecutive top-10 finishes at the track and is seeking his fourth consecutive win there.
Add Earnhardt Jr. to the mix and the Hendrick group has to be considered among the favorites in this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Cool Orange 500 at the track even though they've yet to score a win in the 2008 season.
Earnhardt Jr. has seven top-five finishes in 16 races at Martinsville and is optimistic he can break through for his first points win this season this weekend.
"Honestly, what has been between me and victory lane is Hendrick Motorsports," Earnhardt Jr. said. "They have an amazing run going at
Martinsville. I run well there due to my short track background, but I seemed to always find myself finishing behind my new teammates."
Sunday, he's looking for a different outcome.
"Hopefully we can turn the corner and get a win there because the track is important to me with its deep history within the sport," he said. "This track and its importance in the season is often overlooked, and I continue to try and capitalize on that each year with consistent top-five finishes. A win is our goal, without a doubt."
