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DALE EARNHARDT JR. NO. 88 NATIONAL GUARD/AMP ENERGY CHEVROLET POST-RACE RECAP / PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY DATE: April 18, 2009 RACE: SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 START: 15th FINISH: 31st POINTS POSITION: 19th RECAPPING THE RACE: A competitive run for Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet, was dashed Saturday night after a late-race accident left him with a 31st-place finish in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Phoenix International Raceway. The 34-year-old driver led twice for a total of 63 laps, second only to eventual race winner and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin. Earnhardt lined up 15th for Saturday’s 312-lap event and quickly radioed crew chief Tony Eury Jr. that he was struggling with the handling of his blue and white Chevrolet. By Lap 53, Earnhardt had slipped four positions to 19th when the first caution flag of the evening was waved. Earnhardt followed the leaders down pit road for four fresh tires and fuel. The No. 88 crew also gave the Chevy an air pressure and wedge adjustment. During the stop, however, a NASCAR official penalized the team for leaving off a lug nut, and Earnhardt was required to return to pit road. Earnhardt rejoined the field on Lap 59 in the 34th position. He continued to struggle with the handling of the Chevy, but started charging through the field. By Lap 101, he was running 28th. The fourth caution flag was displayed on Lap 150, and Eury called his driver to pit road for a predetermined fuel strategy while the leaders stayed on the track. The strategy paid off on Lap 165 when the caution flag waved once again. As the leaders hit pit road, Earnhardt stayed on the track and took the lead for the Lap 171 restart. Earnhardt paced the field for the next 40 circuits and proved to have a dominant car. As the car’s fuel window approached on Lap 226 -- about 12 laps before the rest of the field -- Earnhardt peeled off the racing surface for a green-flag pit stop. The team quickly gave the Chevy four fresh tires and fuel, while making an air pressure adjustment. At that point, it appeared Earnhardt would come up about 10 laps shy on fuel if the race continued under green-flag conditions. As the team’s fuel window approached again on Lap 300, the No. 88 team was hoping for a caution, which would give Earnhardt a chance to refuel and finish the race on top. The caution occurred, but unfortunately it involved Earnhardt’s Chevrolet. Another competitor made contact with the No. 88 on Lap 301 and sent it spinning into the Turn 4 wall. Earnhardt headed for pit road, where the team assessed and repaired the damage. The crew sent Earnhardt back to green-flag racing two laps down from the leader and in 31st. Earnhardt stayed there for the final six laps. QUOTING DALE EARNHARDT JR.: EARNHARDT (ON SATURDAY’S RUN.): "First, I want to congratulate Mark (Martin). That team was awesome tonight. It felt good to lead some laps. We'll get 'em at Talladega"  ***** 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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