As Junior left the racing organization founded by his late father in his rearview mirror, he knew expectations were high for him. Hendrick's top drivers, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, are winners.

Referring to his crew chief, Tony Eury Jr., Earnhardt said on a Tuesday conference call: "Our main worry was, what could we bring to the table, if anything? Would we be an asset with the experience and knowledge we have? [Eury's] definitely been able to do that."

Under Eury's guidance, Earnhardt is off to an impressive start with Hendrick. He's third in the Sprint Cup points standings, with three top-five finishes in eight races, and is the highest-ranked Hendrick driver. Johnson, the two-time defending Cup champion, is fourth, Gordon is 13th and Casey Mears is 25th.

Previously, Earnhardt said he didn't expect to be ahead of Johnson and Gordon early in the season.

"That's very surprising to me," he said. "And I'm surprised we're in the top five in points."

Last season, Earnhardt slipped to 16th in points after qualifying for the 2006 Chase and finishing fifth. It's been almost 2 years since he's won a race (Richmond, May 2006).

"[The slump] is definitely a stat that you are aware of," he said. "It's not a whole lot of pressure [though]. I still drive for a good team. I feel like our win is around the corner. We've had a good enough car to contend [in every race]. We've failed to capitalize in some races where we led a lot."

The good news for Earnhardt is that Sunday's Cup race is at Talladega, where he has won five times, including four in a row from 2001 to '03. Winning at Talladega runs in the family: Dale Sr. is the all-time race winner at the Alabama track, with 10.

Fans at Talladega have transferred their loyalty and affection from father to son.

"Four or 5 years ago, I definitely went into these races with more confidence than I would've carried into other events," Earnhardt said. "We've won a lot of races there. We've got a really big fan base there and that means a lot to me."

Considered NASCAR's most popular racer, Earnhardt has seen his stock rise even higher this season.

"It's been more overwhelming this year than I anticipated," he said. "[Talladega fans] have been so good to us and so supportive that you go into that race feeling that you owe them to put the car out front."

Autism title back at Dover

Last year's June race at the Delaware track was called the "Autism Speaks 400."

Fans may get involved with the June race weekend festivities by checking the Web site, www.doverspeedway.com.

Best Buy, in its fourth season as a NASCAR team sponsor, is a partial sponsor of Elliott Sadler's No. 19 Dodge.

Not a good day, mate

"Marcus Ambrose just cheapshotted me and took me out," an angry Said declared. "He either made a mistake or he's incredibly stupid. He hooked my left rear in Turn 1. He had me sideways and then just turned me around."

Ambrose apologized, saying, "If I could take it back, I would. I didn't mean to get into Boris."

Said, a skilled road racer, had qualified his Ford fifth.

This week's race

Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, Ala.

When: Sunday, 2 p.m.

TV/Radio: Fox/WXTU (92.5-FM), WNPV (1440-AM)

Race course: 2.66-mile oval

Race distance: 188 laps/500 miles

Last year's race winner: Jeff Gordon

Last year's pole winner: Jeff Gordon, 192.069 mph

Track qualifying record: Bill Elliott: 212.809 mph (April 1987, without restricter plates), 199.388 mph (May 1990, with plates).

Track facts: Jimmie Johnson was runner-up in last year's race; Kurt Busch was third ... Jeff Gordon swept both Talladega races last year, raising his victory total at the track to six, most among active drivers ... Chevrolet drivers have won the last four races at Talladega and 16 of the last 17 ... Odd fact: Ryan Newman has 43 career poles, but none at Talladega ... Kyle Busch's nickname should be "Up Front": He's second in Cup points, first in the Craftsman Truck Series and third in the Nationwide Series.

SPRINT CUP POINTS LEADERS

1. Jeff Burton, 1215

2. Kyle Busch, 1135

3. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 1129

4. Jimmie Johnson., 1116

5. Kevin Harvick, 1112

6. Denny Hamlin, 1078

6. Tony Stewart, 1078

8. Clint Bowyer, 1044

9. Carl Edwards, 1041

10. Greg Biffle, 1039

11. Kasey Kahne, 929

12. Ryan Newman, 915

13. Jeff Gordon, 907

14. Martin Truex Jr., 897

15. Matt Kenseth, 869

16. Kurt Busch, 857

17. Juan Montoya, 854

18. David Ragan, 834

18. Brian Vickers, 834

18. Bobby Labonte, 834

Up next: Crown Royal Presents the Dan Lowry 400, May 3, Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, Va., 7:30 p.m.; TV: Fox.