Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s home is in North Carolina, but Driver 88 is going to be right at home in Alabama this weekend.

Like his father, Little E has had uncanny success at Talladega Superspeedway, and is the only driver in history to win four consecutive Cup events at the 2.66-mile oval. Winless in 2008 but a consistent top-10 finisher, Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 could be the place Earnhardt Jr. registers his first victory of 2008 — and begins a run for his first series championship.

“We obviously had a lot of success at Talladega, there is no denying that,” Earnhardt Jr. 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. 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.

“But I definitely like running Talladega. We’ve won a lot of races there. Got a really big fan base there, and that means a lot to me to be able to go there and run good. Just being up front and leading some laps and getting the fans on their feet, that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Junior, of course, is the newest member of the Hendrick Motorsports stable. And despite Jimmie Johnson’s victory in the last Cup event, Earnhardt Jr. has been the star of the operation this season. While some expected a period of adjustment, he fit in almost immediately.

So has crew chief Tony Eury Jr.

“It’s sort of been a double-edged sword for Tony Jr. this season,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “He’s had lots of praise from within the organization. I think he’s done a terrific job getting our program where it needs to be for the start of the season. I think he’s done a great job up to this point on getting me cars that are running good, and making good decisions and what not.

“I think me and Tony, Jr. went into working for Rick (Hendrick) with our main worry being what could we bring to the table, if anything. Would we be able to be an asset, you know with our experience and the knowledge we had? So he’s definitely been able to do that. And I think that satisfies him a lot to be able to come in there and lay some things out that he knows, that they try and they like.”

Certainly Eury Jr. has been a big reason for the driver’s success, but it’s Earnhardt Jr. the fans come to see. When the “Alabama Gang” faded into history it was Dale Earnhardt who became the favorite of Talladega crowds, and Junior is carrying on the tradition.

While some fans were shocked that he would “team up” with Jeff Gordon — a driver whose Talladega victories have been greeted by a barrage of tossed beer cans — all seems to be forgiven.

“It’s been a little bit more overwhelming this year than I anticipated it to be,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “So hopefully when we go to Talladega we’ll have just as many people, if not more, excited about what we’re doing. I’m pretty happy about taking the car to Talladega for the first time. The new package, the new team, the new number, everything. I’m looking forward to racing it in front of all those people.

“They’ve been so good to us and so dedicated and so supportive that you go into that race feeling like you owe them to put the car out front. They came there to get on their feet, and they want to cheer and they want to see that car take the lead. And really, that’s all you think about, and that’s what your main goal is once the green flag drops.”

This season Earnhardt Jr. has registered three top-five finishes and six top-10 showings, and has also won a pole. Still, there is a sizable monkey on his back.

Junior hasn’t visited victory lane in Cup competition since 2006, and hasn’t had multiple victory campaigns since 2004, when he won six races.

But a new team, a new number and a new outlook has him seeing brighter days ahead.

“Well, coming up on two years without a win, you know, it’s definitely something you recognize,” he said. “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. I guess if while (the winless streak) was going on I was suddenly finding myself trickling down the list of good race cars and good owners and finding myself in equipment that I felt was not on par with what wins races, I would be worried, and the pressure would be a lot.

“But I feel like a win is around the corner. I feel like we’ve been in position to do that just about every week we’ve had a good enough car to contend.”