Dale Earnhardt Jr. Talks About Future In NASCAR, Sponsorship Climate

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a wide-ranging interview with USA TODAY’s Nate Ryan discussed “his NASCAR future, his relationship with his new crew chief and his personal life while basking in the glow of his best season in six years.” The following is an excerpt from the Q&A:

Q: You are entering the year with a new paint scheme. As someone who persistently monitors your fans' feedback, how has the reaction been to the new design on the No. 88?
Earnhardt: It's kind of different because it's not quite as traditional, and I've always kind of been more about simple and plain. This was a little more crazy. I like it. I'm glad it turned out the way it did. You'll have people who like it or don't like it. … Most of my cars are always kind of plain. This one's really not. You really don't get an idea (of fan reaction) until you get to the track and see it in action. But I think when we first came out with the paint schemes in 2008, we really didn't blow anybody away with that stuff. I kind of liked it, but it's not really that awesome, I guess. But I thought the last couple of years have been better, and this one I really like a lot.

Q: Your sponsor, Pepsico, is going to salute the history of the car, too, by linking it to a similar Mountain Dew scheme that Darrell Waltrip ran in his 1981-82 championship seasons. Do you like that, as a NASCAR history buff?
Earnhardt: It's a way to be interactive with the fans. I like the nostalgic side of it. The Dew Crew is cool. I remember that being on the back bumper of Darrell's car. I think it's neat that Pepsico taps into that. Because for the most part, Diet Mountain Dew is a little more modern, getting in touch with a Generation X kind of deal. So it's kind of cool when they play both sides of it.

Q: In the Nationwide Series, does it seem as if your JR Motorsports team is among the last weathering the rough sponsor climate?
Earnhardt: It's been a little bit of a struggle, and you see that across the board. Drivers are struggling with there not (being enough) teams to go to, and nobody has any money. JR Motorsports is really lucky and really fortunate. (Sprint Cup owner) Rick Hendrick and his programs are incredibly fortunate. We have a lot of great, loyal partners. We're kind of immune to a lot of things going on.

Q: Will the sponsor downturn have an impact on the Nationwide and Cup series, perhaps benefiting surviving teams such as yours?
Earnhardt: I don't think it'll be much different than it was last year. I think the same teams will have success in the Nationwide Series. But hopefully we've changed drivers and will build better cars (USATODAY.com, 1/31).