DALE EARNHARDT JR.
POST-RACE RECAP/RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
DATE: Sept. 12, 2009
RACE: Chevy Rock & Roll 400
START: 15th
FINISH: 21st
POINTS POSITION: 18th
RECAPPING THE RACE:
Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, had a strong opening run in Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway, but experienced handling issues in the final laps and finished 21st.
After a brief rain shower on Saturday evening in the Richmond area, officials started the 400-lap race 30 minutes behind schedule. The field took the green flag, and Earnhardt began his forward march from his 15th starting position. The 34-year-old driver cracked the top 10 on Lap 10 and climbed to the sixth position by Lap 53.
Earnhardt radioed interim crew chief Lance McGrew on Lap 94 that the No. 88 Chevy needed to turn better in the center of the turns. McGrew used the third caution period of the evening to improve the handling on the green-and-white Chevy. The crew went to work bolting on four fresh Goodyear tires and refueling the Chevy. After making a pair of chassis adjustments, the crew sent its driver back to green-flag racing in the 10th position.
Earnhardt continued to struggle with the handling, but maintained his footing in the top 20. McGrew used a caution period on Lap 172 to make another round of adjustments to the No. 88 Chevrolet.
Earnhardt went back to green-flag racing on Lap 180 scored in the 14th position. At the race’s halfway point, he had faded as far back as 27th as he continued to work with the handling of the AMP Energy/National Guard machine.
A caution period on Lap 206 afforded McGrew another opportunity to work on the handling for his driver. Earnhardt followed the field down pit road for a fresh round of Goodyear tires, fuel and a pair of chassis adjustments. Quick work by the over-the-wall crew members netted their driver three positions on pit road. Earnhardt restarted the event 24th on Lap 211.
The Kannapolis, N.C., native fought a tight-handling machine during the next 50 circuits before being put a lap down to the leaders. Fortunately, Earnhardt was awarded the “Lucky Dog†free pass for a caution period on Lap 328. By NASCAR rule, the first eligible car, not on the lead lap when the caution flag waves, is given one lap back as long as more than 10 laps remain in the race.
The field went back to green-flag racing on Lap 333 with the No. 88 Chevy scored 23rd on the scoring pylon. During the closing laps, Earnhardt continued to struggle with the handling but managed to pick up two positions to cross the finish line 21st.
Credit Hendrick Motorsports PR
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