How Has 2014 Daytona 500 Win Changed Expectations for Dale Earnhardt Jr?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been here before. An unexpected win thrusting him and his team into the spotlight while fans and media alike claim that it is his year, only to leave everyone wanting at season's end. It's familiar ground for Earnhardt and the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports crew, so why should this year be any different? Simply put, Steve Letarte. Considering how well the two compliment each other's styles—with Letarte being the aggressive one and Earnhardt being the calm one—they have melded together perfectly. A spot in every Chase for the Sprint Cup field since 2011 (when Letarte first took over the No. 88) can attest to that. This is in stark contrast to the 2009 and 2010 season, when Earnhardt struggled under the guidanc...

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