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DALE EARNHARDT JR. NO. 88 AMP ENERGY/ NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET POST-RACE RECAP / MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY DATE: Oct. 25, 2009 RACE: Tums Fast Relief 500 START: 12th FINISH: 29th POINTS POSITION: 24th RECAPPING THE RACE: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, consistently posted top-10 lap speeds during Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, but experienced tire issues throughout the race and finished 29th. When the green flag dropped on Sunday, Earnhardt started to climb from his 12th starting position and was running seventh by Lap 50. He radioed interim crew chief Lance McGrew that his No. 88 Chevy was slightly tight in the center, but the car’s handling otherwise was neutral. On Lap 71, he reported that his AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet wasn’t turning as well in the middle like it did at the beginning of the race and that the car lacked forward bite. At Lap 88, Earnhardt suffered a blown right front tire that brought out the caution and forced him to pit. During the caution period, McGrew and the No. 88 team executed two quick pit stops. During the first stop, the team issued the No. 88 Chevy two right side tires, fuel and air pressure and track bar adjustments. One lap later, the team put two left side tires on the car and topped it off with fuel. Earnhardt restarted in the 35th spot at the restart on Lap 94. On Lap 127, the same tire issue occurred again for the No. 88 team, prompting Earnhardt to return to the pits for four tires and fuel while under the yellow flag. At the restart on Lap 34, Earnhardt was 36th. As the race progressed, the No. 88 team continued to work on Earnhardt’s car and improve its handling. Earnhardt battled his way around the short track, and at Lap 252, he received the ‘Lucky Dog’ pass that brought him back on the lead lap. Earnhardt steadily worked his way through the field, and by Lap 301, he was up to 16th. During a caution flag on Lap 301, Earnhardt came into the pits for four tires and fuel, but crossed the line in his pit stall. The NASCAR official forced Earnhardt to back up, costing him and the No. 88 team valuable time. He was running 30th when the race resumed on Lap 306. Earnhardt worked his way back up to 22nd by Lap 355, but his right front tire blew on Lap 360. Earnhardt drove his No. 88 Chevy down pit road so the team could fix the minor damage on the fender and also give him four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment. Earnhardt rejoined the field 32nd. Earnhardt continued to battle through the field and gain as many positions as he could. When the checkered flag waved at Lap 501, Earnhardt crossed the line 29th.   ***** Courtesy of Hendrick Motorsports. Media Relations | No. 88 AMP Energy / National Guard Racing ***** Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Official Site - www.dalejr.com |
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