This is the Statt Mann, Baby. It’s time to Scatt a Little Bit…

I’ll always be my Dad’s son. So it’s not unusual for many in the NASCAR world, especially the NASCAR media, to see Dale Earnhardt, Jr. through the shadow of his famous father Dale, Sr.

But Dale Sr. has been dead fourteen years. Certainly he’ll be remembered forever but his son has long since built a life of his own.  That includes today’s win at Talladega.  He won uncontested. That’s real domination at a place like Talladega where pack racing is the norm.

Today’s win was the 25th in his career. He has a life.

But Earnhardt has been NASCAR’s Most Popular for eleven straight years. He has a life.  He’s settled down and has told everyone he’s happy with himself.  He has a life.

He has a new Crew Chief Greg Ives who was passionate enough to shed tears this afternoon when he won his first Sprint Cup race.  He has a life.

His win today has him near the top five in points with a ticket to the Chase at the end of the season. He has a life.

And because he has a life, it’s about time we accepted him as a winning driver and not a kid going through life on his Dad’s coat tails.  He deserves that.

Peace.