Dale Earnhardt Jr. has come a long way since that first Cup start on May 9, 1999. The Intimidator’s youngest son started the Coca-Cola 600 at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway, from the eighth spot and brought the No. 08 Budweiser Chevrolet home in the 16th spot; the beginning of an illustrious and successful career.

Sunday, Dale Jr. will take the green flag at Talladega Superspeedway and make his 300th career start. This milestone event could not have come at a more opportune time at a more opportune track. Unofficial home of the ‘Junior Nation’, Talladega has been a home-away-from-home for the Earnhardt family.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. compiled a total of 14 career victories at the 2.66-mile Superspeedway. Dale Jr. himself has high numbers at the high-banked Superspeedway. Junior went an unprecedented four-in-a-row at Talladega, winning the UAW-Ford 500 in 2001, both races in 2002, and the Aaron’s 499 in 2003.

This weekend Dale Jr. comes to Talladega on a mission. Eight races into the season and the No. 88 National Guard/AMP Chevrolet has yet to visit victory lane. After making the switch to Hendrick Motorsports, most thought Dale Jr. would be on the top of his game, winning races left and right. Aside from the season-opening Budweiser Shootout and Gatorade Duel, Junior has been shut-out from the win column.

Good runs fade away late in the race week-in and week-out for the No. 88 team. Although they are currently third in the series standings, it is becoming more and more obvious frustration is setting in. This team desperately wants to find victory lane again.

Considering the landmark start and by looking at some numbers, Dale Jr. has to think nothing but win going into this weekend.

Out of the last thirteen races at Talladega, eleven have been won by either Dale Earnhardt Jr. or a Hendrick Motorsports driver (Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Brian Vickers). With Junior joining forces with HMS, the odds are heavily stacked in his favor.