Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson are Hendrick Motorsports teammates. That is about where the similarities end.
On one hand, you have Earnhardt Jr. who grew up in the shadows of his father, Dale Earnhardt, who is arguably the greatest and most popular driver in NASCAR history. On the other hand, you have Johnson who grew up in California, working his way up the circuits.
Perhaps the two drivers' greatest difference, though? Their on-track performances. Earnhardt has shown flashes of brilliance over the years, but has yet to really put everything together for a sustained period of time. With Johnson, you have a model of consistency — consistency of excellence. Johnson, of course, is looking for his unprecedented sixth straight title this season.
Yet, the tables have been turned some this season, as the two drivers enter Sunday's race at Dover, Del., in unusual positions. Earnhardt Jr. enters eighth, two spots ahead of Johnson, who has become an outsider in his chase for a sixth Chase title.
If Johnson is going to make his move toward the top, you have to think this week at the Monster Mile would be the place to do it. In his legendary career, Johnson has won at Dover six times. As Tony Stewart has shown in the past two weeks, putting together a couple of good races is sometimes all it takes to get into the Chase driver's seat.
Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. both have championship aspirations this season. And while Johnson has had all of the success in the last half of a decade, this could be a year the No. 88 passes Johnson and others.
Will Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Jimmie Johnson finish higher in NASCAR standings?
