Waltrip: Earnhardt feeling pressure

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s aggressive move that sparked a big crash in last Sunday’s Daytona 500 is indicative of the pressure on the young racer to live up to his father’s legacy.

That’s the opinion of Darrell Waltrip, a retired three-time champion and Fox Sports commentator from Franklin. Waltrip criticized Earnhardt’s move on the live national telecast and again at a Monday media luncheon in Nashville to promote the upcoming season at Nashville Superspeedway.

“He was driving like a wild man,” Waltrip said of Earnhardt. “He’s not that kind of driver, he’s just frustrated. He carries the weight of the sport on his shoulders. He’s a good man with a good heart, but he’s under a lot of pressure.”

Earnhardt’s late father was a seven-time champion and considered by many the greatest driver in history. By comparison, Junior has struggled.

“There’s an expectation that goes with the name,” Waltrip said.

He said young Earnhardt doesn’t have the same reckless reputation as his father, who was nicknamed “The Intimidator.”

“Junior doesn’t race the way his daddy did,” Waltrip said. “Normally when Dale Jr. causes [a wreck] he’s quick to admit it and apologize for it. I didn’t hear that Sunday.”

Compounding the pressure of his famous name was Junior’s move to Hendrick Motorsports last year, and his fans anticipated a championship run. He made the 12-man championship lineup, but was never a serious contender. The expectations remain high for NASCAR’s most popular driver.

“Dale Jr. could be on the best team, at the best time, to win a championship,” Waltrip said, adding: “If he could win the championship it would be good for him and good for our sport.”

Having said that, Waltrip said he believes Jimmie Johnson has a chance to make history with a fourth consecutive championship this season.

The media’s pick for the Sprint Cup title is Carl Edwards, who joined Waltrip at Monday’s medial luncheon.

“I appreciate it,” Edwards said of the media vote. “Being picked to win is an honor and I hope you guys (media) are right.”

Edwards will run the full Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series schedule again this year, which will bring him to the Superspeedway for races on April 11 and June 6.

Edwards said he supports the Gladeville track’s new “All Access” program that starts this season. It allows fans more infield access to drivers and teams.

“The fans are the most important people in our sport,” Edwards said. “This increased access is great.”

Waltrip agreed: “This is a touchy-feely sport. The fans like to get as close as possible to the drivers. This All-Access deal at the Superspeedway reminds me of the old days at the Fairgrounds when the fans would hang on the fence and yell at you, then come by after race and ask for an autograph.”