Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award for the seventh consecutive time today. He is third on the all-time list behind Bill Elliott who won it 16 times and Richard Petty who won nine.

The award has been around since 1956 and is voted on solely by fans.

This win was expected by many but will no doubt surprise countless others who witnessed the worse season of Dale Jr’s career in 2009.

It was a season filled with ups and downs and left very little to cheer about. He failed to make the Chase and finished a career low 25^th in the overall point’s standings.

Dale Jr. flew in just to accept this award and give thanks to the allegiance of fans who have continued to support him in good times and bad. Continue reading →