The apple doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to the Earnhardt families NASCAR legacy. Three generations of the family have raced in NASCAR, and the third will continue where his father left off. At least, his father's marketing legacy.

NASCAR is a marketing game, played at 180mph. Great driver's do it a bit faster, and great driver's market themselves a bit better. Legends do both better then anyone. Dale Earnhardt Jr. will dawn a special paint scheme on fathers day in honor of his father and grandfather. Marketing is not a problem within Dale Earnhardt Inc.. Winning a race for DEI has gotten tougher.

You can't market your way into victory lane, but don't tell them that. Easily the largest fan base amongst active drivers, June-Bug has gotten accustomed to the spotlight, and has looked good for NASCAR within it. This cream and red vintage bow tie Budweiser logo, as a throwback tribute, looks good too.

Both his father and grandfather raced the #8 car in their careers, and that's the reason for the new tribute, but these special paint jobs don't normally result in a win. Dale Jr. is 0-1, so far this year, while driving tribute schemes. He drove a black and silver paint scheme in Talladega for his fathers birthday, and placed 31st. Dressed in his normal red paint scheme, he placed 4th in Atlanta with half a car left, and got his first victory within 27 races, when they drove in Richmond. If you think this tribute scheme may look great, everyone on DEI is convinced it would look better dressed in victory.

You can expect to see all the fans eat it up, driving Dale Earnhardt Jr. product sales up as well. Like his father before him, Junior is a marketing marvel. A perfect fit within the NASCAR business plan. But after missing the chase last year all together, somethings still missing. Production was never a strong point amongst marketing majors in college, and I get the feeling June Bug is still on the same learning curve. Bringing home a championship should be his first priority for a tribute to his father, and his father before him. We all know the #8 team likes to look good, but someone needs to remind them, looks aren't everything.