Not bad for someone who's "not an athlete," huh?For the fifth time, Dale Earnhardt Jr., ranks among "America's Favorite Sports Stars" in a national poll. Once again, he is the only race car driver in any series worthy of mainstream recognition, further demonstrating his endless marketability.
Even so, he's still not as popular as the thrice-retired Michael Jordan, who is #3 on the list despite not being active in the NBA for four years.
Popularity aside, perhaps by the time Junior retires he can get his resume up to par with those of his peers in popularity:
1.) Tiger Woods
2.) Derek Jeter
3.) Michael Jordan
4.) Brett Favre
5.) LeBron James
6.) Dale Earnhardt Jr.
7.) Tim Duncan
8.) Peyton Manning
9.) Kobe Bryant
10.) Tom Brady
Which is to say he needs a championship to make it look legit. (Lebron, too.)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-09-2008 @ 2:20AM
Mike Smith said...
Good to see both of my favorites made it - Favre and Junior. My list would've looked a bit different, but I can respect that list, for the most part.
Mike Smith
http://www.Favre4Sale.com
http://www.DaleJr88FanGear.com
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6-26-2007 @ 10:10AM
jill said...
It is really good to see a Nascar driver on the list and Dale Jr. being the "rock star" of Nascar, it is easy to see why he is on the list again. However, I am even happier to see who is number 4 on the list. Obviously, people who know a lot about sports and extremely intelligent were voting.
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6-26-2007 @ 12:19PM
BETTY said...
GREAT.
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6-26-2007 @ 6:28PM
Mike Norton said...
Dale Jr is a true race car driver-he's not a polished speaker, not a politician, not a giver of lip service. He's a racer and a very good one. He is everything a racer should be and more. That's why he is so popular. Sorry, Gordon.
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6-26-2007 @ 6:51PM
John J. Eldridge said...
Very happy for Dale Jr. he is what NASCAR is all about. A real person doing what he loves for the fans that love him. D.E.I. will never again be what it once was without him. His dad looking down on all of us must be very very proud of his son.
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6-26-2007 @ 7:19PM
Mialyn2 said...
OK nASCAR , I;VE HEARD THIS SPEECH ENOUGH ABOUT DALE E, HES NOT THE MOST POPULER DRIVER , BUT PEOPLE DO FEEL SORRY FOR HIM BECAUSE OF HIS FATHER DIEING , LETS GET HONEST ABOUT THIS , I;VE TALK TO LOTS OF PEOPLE ABOUT ,(HES THE FAVORITE ) HES GOT A LONG WAY TO GO TO GET THAT NAME ,(POPULER) THANKS FOR LISTENING , i;M ONE THAT DON;T AGREE WITH YOU ,WHEN HE GETS ABOUT A 100 RACES OF WINS UNDER HIS BELT ,THAT MIGHT CHANGE A LOT OF MINES , TY MIALYN2
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6-26-2007 @ 7:34PM
rich hutchison said...
dale jr is not a good racer and the way he is popular is his dad name
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6-27-2007 @ 3:17PM
paul said...
wheres crosby
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6-26-2007 @ 8:30PM
Bill said...
I'll bet skr is having a hissy fit right about now.Jr may not be spit and polish but he's got what it takes to be a true personality.Man,if Jr and Danica got hooked up together,uh oh sorry TGOM,it slipped my mind.Later,An Old Fan!! Bill
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6-27-2007 @ 12:48AM
Don-d-don-don said...
Jr. has proven time and again that he's an average driver at best. Too many driving mistakes to be considered a top driver. Let him have his fifteen minutes of glory. He will never win a champtionship. Jeff Gordon has proven he's everything Jr. wishes he was.
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6-27-2007 @ 9:31AM
Karla said...
Way to go JR! Everyone likes you because you are a hard-worker who is earning your keep and treating others the way you want to be treated. The championship is coming! Stay strong!
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6-27-2007 @ 9:33AM
jack said...
gordon could care less about how popular junior is come on guys girls gordon 4 championships earnings over 90 million you dont have too like him but the stats speak forthemselves. you 24 haters better get used too the idea that they will be working as partners next year in fact gordon owns a pct of hendricks
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6-27-2007 @ 9:45AM
Nita Roberts said...
EVERYONE SEEMS TO FORGET THAT BILL ELLIOTT CARRIED THE MP AWARD FOR 15 STRAIGHT YEARS BEFORE HE GAVE THEMP UP FOR DESR. THE YEAR HE DIED. NOW JR SEENS TO CAEEY IT. SO GET OVER YOURSELFS AND LET THINGS GO SILENTLY.NR
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6-27-2007 @ 10:08AM
SPUCK said...
anyone who says jr is not a good racer knows nothing about the sport, the man has 17 wins on a less than average race team,lets see jimmy and jeff drive those cars he has to drive and see how many wins and championships they get ,and as far as myalin2 100 wins? are you kidding only 2 or 3 drivers in the history have ever got that many not even the BIG E!!!
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6-27-2007 @ 10:51AM
KAREN said...
The comment is about being popular for a sport not how he drives or who his father was popular get it!He is popular so suck it up and get over it.
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6-27-2007 @ 11:42AM
Addie said...
Yes Yes...Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is a "Sports Star". Dale, Jr. is the son of an icon however Dale, Jr. is his own man and has proven over & over his ability & talent on the track. Also I am happy to see Tiger the new daddy still holding his own. However in my personal book of ranking
Dale, Jr. is #1. Right there with Tiger.
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6-27-2007 @ 2:14PM
fay porter said...
You're #1 in my book, Junior!
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6-27-2007 @ 2:29PM
fay porter said...
You're #1 in my book, Junior!
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6-27-2007 @ 4:24PM
Gail said...
SKR & BRENT HOW YOU LIKE MY JUNIOR NOW!!!!!!!
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6-27-2007 @ 9:33PM
charlie said...
SKR and Brent must be fags and can't except a real racer and the only reason JR left was because Teresa and her black boy didn't want to spend the funds to be competitive .
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