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DATE: May 22, 2010 RACE: Sprint All-Star Race START: 18th FINISH: 12th RECAPPING THE RACE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. crossed the finish line 12th in Saturday's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race to collect his 10th top-12 finish in 11 non-points events at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The event featured NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winners from 2009-2010 seasons, the top two finishers from the Sprint Showdown qualifying race and the winner of the Sprint All-Star Fan Vote. Earnhardt locked up his spot in this year's all-star race because he won the 2000 event, and winners from the past 10 seasons are eligible to participate. When Friday's qualifying session was rained out, the field was set by the qualifying draw order. Earnhardt lined up his black-and-silver Chevrolet 18th based on the draw. The first of the event's four segments was a 50-lap run with a required four-tire pit stop on Lap 25. Earnhardt quickly moved into the 12th position on Lap 12, but a loose-handling condition hampered his forward progress. On Lap 25, the field made its way down pit road for the mandatory green-flag pit stop. Earnhardt was running 11th when he pulled in for four fresh tires, an air pressure adjustment, fuel and a chassis adjustment. The team maintained the 11th position exiting pit road. The first segment concluded on Lap 50, and Earnhardt was running 12th. The field had the option to come down pit road under the caution period, and crew chief Lance McGrew called his driver down for fuel and a chassis adjustment. The fuel-only pit stop netted eight positions on pit road, and Earnhardt lined up fourth for the start of the ensuing 20-lap segment. Earnhardt climbed to the third position in the second segment but he continued to struggle with a loose-handling Chevy and was running 17th at the conclusion of the second segment on Lap 70. McGrew radioed Earnhardt to bring the No. 88 Chevy down pit road for an optional pit stop under caution. The top seven cars stayed on the track, and Earnhardt maintained his position exiting pit road. He lined up 17th for the third segment. During the third segment, the No. 88 swung to the tight side but Earnhardt picked up one position by the conclusion of the 20-lap run on Lap 90. Before the field took the green for the final 10-lap showdown, the field was required to do a mandatory four-tire stop. Earnhardt maintained the 16th position for the start of the final segment. As the field took the green, Earnhardt was collected in an eight-car accident on the front stretch. He brought his car down pit road and was back on the track after the team made the necessary repairs. Earnhardt crossed the finish line 12th. ***** 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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