Is Dale Earnhardt Jr a contender this weekend at Kansas?

Dale Earnhadt Jr. has a sweet paint scheme this weekend.

The last time Dale Earnhardt Jr. won on a 1.5-mile track he was driving the No. 8 DEI Chevrolet and Budweiser was his sponsor. That was in 2005 and the track was Chicago. It was his third win on a 1.5-mile track (Texas and Atlanta are the others). He's got eight cracks at winning another on these types and then his career is over.

During Friday's two practice sessions at Kansas Speedway there were hints that maybe Saturday's Go Bowling 400 might be spot Junior can surprise. He posted the sixth fastest lap (184.451 mph) in the early session and had the best 10-consecutive lap average among the three drivers that ran as many. In the final session he had the ninth fastest lap (186.451) and his teammate Jimmie Johnson had the best 10-consecutive laps average among 20 drivers. Junior wasn't one of them.

My optimism for Junior to get a win or two before he retires will always be high when he looks good in practice. Go get that win Dale, and I'm sure quite a few fans in Kansas this weekend feel the same way. Earnhardt was 30-to-1 to win at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.