In fact, Earnhardt has not won a race since May of 2006, when he took victory at Richmond driving for Dale Earnhardt Incorporated.

He hopes Talladega will break the winless drought and send him back to victory lane.

But despite being nearly two years without a win, he says he doesn't feel the pressure to visit victory lane again.

"You know, it's definitely something you recognize," Earnhardt says. "It's definitely a stat that you are aware of and reminded of. It's not a whole lot of pressure. I still drive for a good team, I still have a great opportunity to win every time I show up.”

In his first season with Hendrick Motorsports, Earnhardt returns as a strong favorite for Sunday’s Aaron’s 499. He trails only teammate Jeff Gordon in Talladega victories by active drivers (five), his highest win total at any track on the series schedule.

"We obviously had a lot of success at Talladega, there is no denying that,” Earnhardt said. “And I feel like, you know, we're going to have a good chance this weekend, and I'm motivated by that.

"But I've felt that way all year, really. Before there were probably four or five years ago I definitely went into these races with a little more confidence than I would carry into the other events. But this season I've felt like we've had a shot every time we show up."