Biggest “What If” of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Career That Would Have Impacted His NASCAR Legacy

This year saw the induction of Dale Earnhardt Jr. into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Furthermore, with a glorious full-time driving career behind him, Earnhardt Jr. has now established himself as a successful entrepreneur. However, with the kind of rare popularity he has witnessed over the years, there is one ‘what if?’ that the driver still thinks about.

And that’s about missing out on the 2013 Cup Series. In 2014, NASCAR announced major changes to the rules of Chase for the Sprint Cup. And interestingly enough, if they would’ve applied these rules in the 2013 championship, then Dale Earnhardt Jr might have won the title. According to economist Andrew Maness, even after not winning a race, Earnhardt would have made it to the top 4 instead of Matt Kenseth.

With the most wins in the 2013 season, Kenseth entered the season finale alongside Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, and Jeff Gordon. However, as per the new rules, Kenseth’s poor finish at Phoenix would have resulted in his elimination from the final round. Therefore, providing Earnhardt a chance to enter the top 4.

It is definitely something his fans would have loved!

Moreover, since Earnhardt finished third at the Homestead race while Johnson ended up in the ninth position, Earnhardt would have defeated the six-race winner Johnson. Thus, clinching the 2013 trophy.

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But it didn’t happen and Earhardt didn’t win the 2013 Cup Championship. Instead, Johnson became the 2013 champ for the sixth time.

Why were the new rules more problematic for the 2013 champ instead of Dale Earnhardt Jr?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. must still wonder about the ‘what if?’ raised by the new rules in 2014. However, Jimmie Johnson was the one affected by the rules. In fact, during a media tour, Johnson said that he wondered if the new regulations aimed to sabotage his chances of winning a seventh championship in nine years.

While speaking about whether the new rules thwarted him, Johnson said, “It’s crossed my mind, not going to lie.” However, he also added that he does not think that NASCAR officials were “lying awake at night wondering how to keep the 48 from winning.”

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Johnson also denied all speculation of NASCAR targeting him with the new format. He said, “I don’t think NASCAR is picking on me or trying to keep me from winning the championship … I by no means think this is an attack on the 48.”

Was NASCAR actually trying to jeopardize Johnson’s chances? Let us know in the comments.