In a race where it looked like Dale Jr. had it in the bag due to fuel mileage with two laps to go at Michigan, Sam Hornish Jr. spun out and brought out the caution. This put the race into overtime, which made Earnhardt, who was already sweating the amount of fumes in his tank, sweat even more.
Jr. shut his car off as much as he could during the caution laps, some times passing the pace car while coasting to save gas. After NASCAR warned him to stay in line, the race was scheduled to restart for a green-white-checkered finish, but the question was: did Dale Earnhardt Jr. have enough petrol to make it to the line?
When the green came out, Tony Eury Jr. told his driver to basically go for broke because they were probably going to run out of gas anyway. So Dale Jr. started to pull away to a comfortable lead over Kasey Kahne.
Then, with one lap to go, Michael Waltrip and Patrick Carpentier spun to bring out the final caution of the race. This may have saved Earnhardt from running out of gas, but alas we'll never know for sure now.
Dale Jr. would coast to the finish line under caution, victorious for the first time in 76 Sprint Cup events. And he didn't even have enough gas for a victory burnout.
Kasey Kahne was second, followed by Matt Kenseth, Brian Vickers, and Tony Stewart rounded out the Top Five.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you follow my Fantasy Picks each week let me update you on how my picks came in at Michigan.
Jimmie Johnson: Sixth
Carl Edwards: Seventh
Kasey Kahne: Second
Matt Kenseth: Third
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: First
Brian Vickers: Fourth
My picks had an average finish of 3.8. That's pretty good stuff right there. Stay tuned for my Fantasy Picks for Sonoma coming up Thursday.
7 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Mike Smith about 1 year ago
WOOHOO! It's a good day for Junior fans. We've been waiting for this one for a long time. Junior wasn't the only one sweating, I'll tell you. We had some friends over who weren't Junior fans and even they were cheering for him. Gotta love it! Way to go, Junior! :)
Mike Smith
www.DaleJr88FanGear.com
Edit Comment Cancel
Ashley Colley about 1 year ago
No one has brought up the point that Junior passed the pace car numerous times but NASCAR didn't do anything because he's Dale Jr. If someone else would have done it they would have penalized him. Everyone said Carl Edwards intentionally cheated at Vegas for having a cap off not following rules is not following them. NASCAR warned him to stay behind the pace car and when he didn't they still didn't do anything.
Edit Comment Cancel
Joe Cox about 1 year ago
By the rules he must be behind the Pace Car at the start finish line. The race car can pass the pace car during the caution but must be behind and in line at the start/finish line.
Edit Comment Cancel
Toby Christie about 1 year ago
Not quite accurate, Greg Biffle did the same thing last year at Kansas or Chicago cant really remember exactly where, and Tony Stewart has done it just messing with Brett Bodine in the pace car. As Joe says it is only an offense if you are ahead of the pacecar at the line or if you continue to do it after nascar tells you not to, which Dale Jr. stopped as soon as Nascar told him to cut it out.
Edit Comment Cancel
Derek Harmsworth about 1 year ago
Bigger question here, will Junior fans finally shut up? or will this make them louder?
Hooray, NASCAR's most overrated driver finally wins again.
Edit Comment Cancel
Christina harris about 1 year ago
if i cant watch the race i always record every race,, and this is one race that im going to be watching
until the next race.. We love you and your dad..you are doing so good this year.. I was on the fence about you changing teams.. but you have changed my mind this year... im so glad that you are with the best team... now get your cry baby teammate to get on the train too..
Christina
wellsville,ks
Edit Comment Cancel
J. Pugh Pugh about 1 year ago
way to go Jr. your team deserved it and those who disagree well they are just not to be heard.
you have been on the brink of winning since you left DEI, if anyone should feel envy it should be Teresa E. Iappreciate you and the integrity that your entire team has even in the low spots. WAY
TO GO!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.