PERSONAL PROFILE Hometown: Kannapolis, NC Birthdate: October 10, 1974 Hobbies: Water Sports, Computers Dale Earnhardt Jr.., who had seemed invincible in consecutive marches to Busch Series crowns in 1998 and 1999, learned a major lesson in career focus in 2000. Before the season many thought Earnhardt Jr.. was the favorite in what would become a two-man race for the Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award. It didn't pan out that way when Busch Series subordinate Matt Kenseth outran Jr.. in the Daytona 500, 10th to 13th, and never let up in his run to the title. Kenseth ultimately scored a 42-point victory in the rookie race. The younger Earnhardt's campaign had two distinct faces to it and in the end, that dichotomy relegated him to 16th in the final point standings.
