Dale Jr. A Villain? Yes, Please!

During Sunday's Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. did all he could to win friends and influence people.  He rubbed a lot of elbows...well, fenders.  Yet several racers, like Carl Edwards and Denny Hamlin, had sour words to say about him on their in-car radios. 

Of course I am being sarcastic.  Junior ruffled many feathers, but at least he did so with a smile!

For a few years now, well, at least since he has been at Hendrick Motorsports, he has been more "prim and proper."  Rarely looking scruffy, cleaning up his off-track persona, and being more even-handed on the track became a way of life with his new team.  I was not a fan of Dale Jr.'s changes initially, but Hendrick Motorsports has grown on this NASCAR fan that began as a #3 fanatic.

Many of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s fans have screamed for years that he needed to be more aggressive, and less polished.  Although Dale Jr. has never been huge on using his front bumper and has always wanted to win "the right way," he has definitely been sure to repay any rough driving with swift retribution. 

On Sunday, Dale Jr. said on the radio that he would like it if NASCAR had more short track races but that if they did he might become a "villain."  He added "I'm getting kind of a reputation."  Well, I am sure JR Nation would be glad to see it.  Most of his reputation on Sunday came from not only his use of his fenders but also for his aggressive entrance to the corners on the outside.  He made some drivers a bit edgy, as Hamlin said on his radio that "the 88 is all over the place." 

Hmm, made drivers edgy.  Used his front bumper.  Drove aggressively.  Who does that remind you of....?

For the most part, Junior's driving at Martinsville was due to the fact that he had a very fast car and knew it.  Although many people would add that he may have had a better finish if he had been more conservative early, few could argue that driver 88 didn't enjoy driving this Sunday.

The question is how can Letarte and Hendrick get Dale Jr. to be that aggressive every week.  He has had fast cars at other tracks, but it's the knowing part that comes up short.  He has not had as much confidence in the setups and chassis since his slide this summer.  If he and Letarte can continue with their confidence building the next three races, the 88 crew could start off 2012 with a head of steam.

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