Dale Earnhardt Jr. struggled through the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season finishing 25th in points. (Photo: Getty Images)

Fourth. What has happened to Little E? This is where the folks who hate Dale Earnhardt Jr. say he is a lousy driver, that he was always overrated and that they are not surprised he wins about as often as politicians do what’s best for the country.

Junior can drive a race car. He may not be as good or as intense as his father was, but he can drive a race car. He has two Nationwide championships and has won 18 Sprint Cup races. In 2004, he won six races which was second most in the series to, yep, Jimmie Johnson.

Sorry, you just do not do those things unless you have driving talent.

And now, he is in the best equipment in racing and has trouble finding the finish line, let alone Victory Lane?

Fifth. Why do such lousy things keep happening in Rick Hendrick’s personal life?

He’s been punched out by cancer, he’s had 10 of his family members – including his son and brother – and friends die in a the most horrible way you can imagine. His drivers have been killed and severely injured. His niece is apparently near death with a liver problem.

From virtually all accounts – and from personal interaction – I can tell you this is one decent, caring human being. Yet he keeps getting pummeled by personal tragedies. And no, success in business can not offset that.

Jim Pedleyis a veteran, award-winning sports journalist who has worked at, among other places, the Boston Globe, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Kansas City Star. Pedley spent more than 10 years covering auto racing for the Kansas City Star. Pedley can be reached at jpedley@racintoday.com

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