With Jimmie Johnson already winning twice this season, and Kasey Kahne winning the Coca-Cola 600 just a few weeks ago, the pressure is on for both Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon. Earnhardt, whose last Sprint Cup victory was Father’s Day 2008 at Michigan International Speedway, and Gordon, who last saw Victory Lane as a winner was September 6, 2011 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, you can’t help but wonder which driver will win first. The pressure for both NASCAR Superstars is heating up.
While it definitely has been a long time since Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has celebrated in Gatorade Victory Lane on the Sprint Cup side, his success for a win in 2012 has been remarkable. He is the only driver to complete all the laps in the 13 races completed so far. He is currently third in points, with 12 races to go until The Chase for the Sprint Cup, and just ten points behind the leader, Greg Biffle. A win would definitely get him bonus points and get him closer to first place. Could his first win come at Michigan International Speedway next weekend?
It hasn’t been that long since Jeff Gordon, a four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion, has been in Victory Lane. This season just hasn’t been as predicted by Gordon, his Hendrick Motorsports crew, or the fans. If it wasn’t for bad luck, then Gordon would have nothing. Since 1993 Gordon has only had three seasons where he didn’t have at least a win. Could this season be number four? Currently Gordon is 21st in points, 175 points away from first place. Besides the pressure to get in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, Gordon also has to face the pressure of winning a race and soon.
Both drivers are facing an absurd amount of pressure from the NASCAR media and fans to win. Earnhardt’s winning streak seems to never end, while Gordon looks to just prove he still has what he it takes to be considered one of the best in the sport.
Prospects are good for both drivers to win and soon. They are skilled and proven winners. Besides that both drive for Hendrick Motorsports, which does put out some great equipment.
The fun part about this little battle is seeing which driver will come out on top first. Just a fun stat for you while you’re placing your bets on which driver will end up in Gatorade Victory Lane first, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has two top-two finishes this season; one being at Daytona and the other at Richmond, while Jeff Gordon hasn’t finished in the top two so far this season.
