The Earnhardt Connection - News

As if his dominating performance on CBS Sports' broadcast of the 40th Daytona 500 was not enough, Dale Earnhardt will be hitting the air waves again this week.

After picking up the one victory that had eluded him for so long, the seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion will be sitting across the desks of late night television kings David Letterman and Jay Leno before heading to North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham for Sunday's GM Goodwrench Service Plus 400.

Earnhardt will be a guest on CBS television's "Late Show with David Letterman" tonight in New York before making an appearance on NBC's "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno in Burbank, Calif., on Wednesday.

Both shows follow stations' local news programming, check local listings for details.

Letterman, a native of Indianapolis, is an avid fan of auto racing. Leno, on the other hand, has a well-publicized love for automobiles and counts collecting rare cars among his hobbies. Both will get the chance to visit with the "Intimidator" for the first time on their programs.

Earnhardt's media blitz follows his historic win at Daytona International Speedway. The victory brought his record total at that facility to 31, and it also ended his personal 59-race winless streak.

While some critics may have whispered that his best years are behind him, Earnhardt served notice to the sport that he is on a mission to claim a record eighth NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship.