For the eighth straight year Dale Earnhardt Jr. has pocketed NASCAR’s most popular driver title who is also a favorite in racing odds.

At the Bellagio in Las Vegas Earnhardt, was offered with the award at the National Motorsports Press Association Myers Brothers luncheon and he drives for Hendrick Motorsports driver.

Earnhardt is getting close to the record 10 straight most popular driver awards won by Bill Elliott from 1991 to 2000 with the triumph. As Elliott is the all-time leader, winning the award with 16 times, he has a long way to go yet to top Elliot’s total.

Bobby Allison has seven, Earnhardt is now at eight and Richard Petty has won 10 times.

Yet, finishing 21st in points and missing the Chase for Sprint Cup for the second straight year and third time in four seasons Earnhardt did not have a great NASCAR season.

In 2008 it’s part of a descending trend for Earnhardt, who is in a 93-race losing streak dating back to Michigan.

With five-time defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, Team owner Rick Hendrick said he is moving Earnhardt into the same shop. He is pairing him with Jeff Gordon crew chief Steve Letarte.

With having Mark Martin and Alan Gustafson as his crew chief Gordon will now share a shop.

“It’s hard to say how it’s going to affect us.” Johnson’s crew chief, Chad Knaus, made a statement.