Dale Earnhardt Jr. honored at 2017 NASCAR Awards in Las Vegas

But with each passing year, the accolade from the fans has taken on deeper meaning for the driver.

“When I started winning this award, it was all about the popularity of a driver, but now, as I’ve gotten older, I realize that the award represents the sport’s accessibility,” Earnhardt told motorsport.com. “We touted our accessibility to the fans as something that sets us apart from other sports and makes us unique. It’s something we take a lot of pride in. The trophy itself is representative of that access. 

“So I’ve learned over the years, it’s not just a popularity award about one individual. It’s really about an entire fan base that puts the effort in to not only vote for the award but to cheer for that driver and support him week in and week out, to go to the events, to go to the races and watch on TV, follow absorb all the content. It’s a large journey for the fans as much as it is for the industry in this sport. But I think as you get older and win the award you realize that it’s not about you. It’s much more than that.”

With 26 wins and 15 poles in 631 Cup starts, Earnhardt hasn’t had the flashiest career. Over the last two season, times have been tough for his loyal fan base. But Earnhardt knows without Junior Nation there would not have been 15 Most Popular titles.

“Our fans take a ton of pride in voting for it—and they take a ton of pride in winning it,” Earnhardt said. “It’s a victory for the whole fan base. It was something we’re very proud of—I always have been. It was nice to get an opportunity to get there and we thank the fans for that.

Another special award

In addition to the latest trophy, NASCAR chairman Brian France acknowledged Earnhardt with the award named for his grandfather and founder of the sport. .

“The Bill France Award of Excellence is not given out every year,” France said on stage at the awards ceremony. “It’s for the ultimate achievement and contribution to the sport they love—NASCAR. Sometimes it’s on the track. Sometimes it’s off the track. And every once in a while, it’s both. 

“Tonight, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the recipient of the Bill France Award of Excellence.”

The award came as quite a surprise to Earnhardt.

“The Myers Brothers Award and the Bill France Award, those types of things are so personal,” Earnhardt said. “They really dig in there and hit your feelings. It’s an incredible feeling for someone to know that you’re worth that acknowledgement. I’m grateful that the sport feels that way and it inspires you to continue to be an asset and represent the sport well and continue to help it grow.

“It makes you want to earn that recognition.”

A year ago, after Earnhardt had sat out half of the 2016 NASCAR season sidelined with a concussion, he wasn’t sure if the opportunity existed to end his career on his own terms. A confirmation test at Darlington Raceway cleared the way for his 18th and final season in the Cup Series. 

“I’m so glad I’m in this place I’m in right now,” Earnhardt said. “Those were some difficult times and some concerning times. I didn’t know how the test was going to go. I didn’t know how I was going to feel in the car. There were a lot of questions and I had been out of the car for a while.

“It was a very difficult time. This is not difficult. Obviously, this is a little sad. But there’s a lot of joy and it’s been a great year to reflect. I was thankful to be able to compete all season—to compete one more season and close the book the way we wanted to close it and close it ourselves.”