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Photo courtesy of Hendrick Motorsports
DATE: 2/14/2008
RACE: GATORADE DUEL 150'S (60 LAPS)
TRACK: DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
START: 5th
FINISH: 1st
IN THE BEGINNING:
Dale Earnhardt Jr. qualified 15th in time trials at Daytona last Sunday. His starting position for the Duel race was fifth. Due to an engine change, the No. 88 had to go to the back of the pack before the green flag. Dale made his way up into the 12th position by Lap 6. Even though the car was loose, Earnhardt took over the lead on Lap 18. He said the car was loose and developed a vibration around Lap 30.
LIFE IN THE PITS:
The No. 88 AMP Energy/ National Guard team pitted on Lap 35. The right rear tire was blistered and the cords were showing. Crew chief Tony Eury Jr. called for air pressure adjustment and told the team to lower the track bar one round. Earnhardt went back out onto the track in second position behind teammate Jimmie Johnson.
HOW IT ENDED:
With ten laps to go, Earnhardt Jr. asked spotter T.J. Majors to tell him what was going on all around him. An impressive pass on the No. 12 car of Ryan Newman on Lap 50 put Earnhardt back into the lead. On Lap 56, the No. 19 car hit the wall, bringing out the second caution. Earnhardt was leading and when the field took the green flag he had just two laps to hold his position. The No. 41 of Reid Sorenson stuck close behind the bumper of the No. 88 and the two pulled away for a large lead. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. led 26 laps in the first Gatorade Duel race to pick up his second win this week at Daytona. He will start the Daytona 500 from the 3rd position.
QUOTING JUNIOR:
"It was pretty interesting back there with them old tires about half way through the race. Everybody was just sliding around, drinking and carrying on. I made that pass down there on the back straight. I got a run and got under the No. 41 and the No. 12 for the lead. I didn't think I had the 12 cleared, I don't know if he listed to let me have it cause I might have wrecked the deal there. I come on in front of him, but it must have been inches. He had to lift a little bit, but he got a run on the inside of me there.
"That was pretty fun. Old tires are tough, man. We was all running up there on top cause we would wreck down there on the bottom sliding around. I am really proud of my team, they built me a great car. The engine guys worked overnight to bring us replacements down here. They are great as we see. I want to thank AMP, National Guard, all of our sponsors and the fans. That was a fun race, hope they enjoyed it."
ON IMPALA SS: "Ok, honestly, it has got to look great on TV. It is harder to drive, but aren't we supposed to have to work harder? I mean, it is hard to drive, but it has got to look great on TV. It sure is a handful in the car and it sure reminds me of old-style race cars. I have seen how they used to slide around and get loose, so I think it is all right. We will tone them in and get them better, but they got a good grade from me."
NOTABLE:
- Earnhardt Jr. led three times for 26 laps.
- Earnhardt Jr. is on the cover of the Feb. 18 issue of Sports Illustrated.
- The No. 88 will roll off third in the 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday.
Courtesy of Hendrick Motorsports.
Media Relations | No. 88 AMP Energy / National Guard Racing
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