The 2008 season is already off to a good start for Junior, as he won the preseason Bud Shootout at Daytona. Of course, being in a Hendrick car helped, since Hendrick drivers took four of the top six positions. Still, it is a positive sign for Junior, who before the race exuded plenty of confidence that renewed success for him is just around the next turn.

“I am a great race car driver,” Junior declared during a media conference earlier this month. “I have won a lot of races. I have won the Daytona 500, won The Winston (all-star race) as a rookie. I have won at Dover, Richmond, Phoenix, Talladega, several different size and shape race tracks.

“I have great equipment and I am a good driver and we are going to go at it. I am looking forward to it. I am very fortunate. I want to thank my lucky stars for the opportunity that I have gotten. … We are really prepared for this season and I am really looking forward to it.”

All of which leads to the question, what if Junior suddenly begins living up to all his hype? What if he becomes as good as advertised (and there have been plenty of advertisements)?

In short, what if the most popular driver in NASCAR also becomes the sport’s best driver?

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Flying on the hardwood, racing on the rink, getting physical on the gridiron, and much more. more photos

Junior has always been the rock star of NASCAR. But if he starts winning big, he’ll go from being the Grateful Dead (not the best band around, but one with an exceptionally loyal following) to the Rolling Stones (the self-proclaimed world’s greatest rock-and-roll band). All he has to do is start dating Jessica Simpson, and he will become a coveted sports/entertainment icon. Heck, win a Cup championship, and even Ashlee Simpson would do.

It is all right there in front of Junior. Fame and fortune and everything that goes with it. It’s his for the taking. He just has to mash the gas and go for it. Because at age 33, his window of opportunity is already about to start closing.

Now we get to find out if Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a driver who deserves to be so famous, or whether he is just a driver with a famous name.

It will be the most important race of his career. And the green flag is ready to wave.

MORE FROM NASCAR / MOTORS

NASCAR / Motors Section Front

Breaking down the Top 12 after Texas Opinion: Drama in the Chase is still possible Opinion: Johnson still a lock to win 4th-straight Cup   Hendrick cars look to extend Phoenix success Johnson making most of lessons learned from Gordon   Phoenix track poses unique problems, benefits Busch, Tryson continue to race hard Latest NASCAR videos Live odds Matchups/injuries   NASCAR / Motors Section Front   Add NASCAR / Motors headlines to your news reader: