DEI duo reveals secrets to plate dominance

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- One of the great mysteries in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series surrounds the restrictor-plate program at Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

Why, exactly, are they so dominant at Daytona and Talladega?

	Michael Waltrip will take the green flag on the outside of the front row Sunday. Credit: Autostock

After qualifying second and third, respectively, for Sunday's Aaron's 499, Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. were posed that very question. Oddly enough, their explanations were completely different.

"Dale (Earnhardt) was the best at racing these plate races, and he understood that to be successful you had to have a fast car," Waltrip said. "That's what he left us with at DEI. Everybody works so hard to be sure they provide Dale Jr. and I with the fastest cars.

"We prepare and look to these races knowing what is expected of us. (Earnhardt's) presence is an intangible other people don't have. In sports, when intangibles line up on your side, it generally makes you a more successful operation."

While Waltrip waxed philosophical, Earnhardt took a more nonchalant approach.

His answer? People.

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"It's having every single piece at one time, and over the years there's teams that have had that," Junior said. "The (Morgan McClure) car was strong ever time they went to Daytona and Talladega.

"Robert Yates had a period where he was unbeatable at Daytona. We're just in a stage. I don't know that that will always be the case, but right now we're just enjoying the opportunity to drive such good cars."

Good isn't necessarily accurate. In the past five races here, either Waltrip or Earnhardt have gone to Victory Lane. The duo has combined to win four of the past six races at Daytona, as well. That breeds confidence -- company wide.

"I come here expecting to win," Waltrip said. "That's my main goal. I'm sure Junior feels same way."

True.

"We come here knowing we're the favorites," Earnhardt added. "Eventually you start to believe it. One of us should win the race. With as competitive as our cars are in this day and time, we should both go out there with the attitude we'll win the race."

Nine of the past 12 races at Talladega Superspeedway were won either by Earnhardt Jr. or his late father.

Earnhardt swept both races in 1999, then won the final race of his career in 2000. Not to be outdone, Junior won four in a row from October 2001 to April 2003.

"Everybody calls this the house Earnhardt built," Junior said. "I'd like to keep it that way."