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DALE EARNHARDT JR. NO. 88 AMP ENERGY/NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET POST-RACE RECAP/BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY DATE: Aug. 21, 2010 START: 27th FINISH: 13th POINTS POSITION: 18th RECAPPING THE RACE: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, had a strong run in Saturday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and finished 13th. Earnhardt lined up his green-and-white Chevrolet in 27th and started his forward march at the drop of the green flag. Earnhardt was quiet on the radio during the opening laps as he picked his way through the field. He had improved seven spots when the evening's second caution flag waved on Lap 125. Crew chief Lance McGrew called his driver down pit road for four fresh Goodyear tires and fuel. The crew also made an air pressure and chassis adjustment and sent its driver back to green-flag racing on Lap 131 in the 18th position. Earnhardt reported a tight-handling condition from the center of the corners through exit, but continued his ascent through the field. By Lap 175, the Kannapolis, N.C., native cracked the top 10 and held his footing inside the top 15 during the middle stages of the race. Green-flag pit stops began on Lap 390, and Earnhardt, running 11th, made his way down pit road three laps later. The crew bolted on four fresh tires, made air pressure and chassis adjustments and refueled the No. 88 Chevrolet. The evening's final caution period occurred on Lap 409 with Earnhardt running ninth. Earnhardt made his final trip down pit road for four fresh tires and fuel. He went back to green-flag racing on Lap 414 running 10th. Earnhardt was scored as high as seventh on Lap 433, but the car developed a loose-handling condition and ultimately he crossed the finish line 13th. With six races remaining until the field is set for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Earnhardt currently ranks 18th in the championship standings, 170 points outside of 12th with two races remaining before the field is set. ***** 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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