Daytona 500: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Finds Disappointment

Dale Earnhardt Jr. looked to be on a roll at Daytona with the Pole Position. However, the two-car tango sucked him into wrecks and forced him to a back-up car.

As the cars took the green flag for the 53rd Daytona 500, Earnhardt was relegated to the back of the field.  Although confident with his car, he didn't think it was quite as good as his original car for the "Great American Race."

Junior didn't let the poor starting position deter him from coming to the front of the pack where he consistently ran in the top 10.  He ran strong most of the race.

Wrecks had plagued the other members of the Hendrick Motorsports stable, and cars spun chaotically as the fourth caution flag waved.  Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson were all among the victims of the crashing cars.

Earnhardt Jr. had remained in front of the trouble, though he had a few close calls when he was in a two-car pairing and cars slowed in front of them.

At the end of the race, it came down to the first green-white-checker restart, but Earnhardt Jr. had a left rear tire going down. He was forced to go to pit road after being in fifth position.

The race restarted, and one more crashfest occurred.  Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 Amp Energy/National Guard Chevrolet was on the hook of a wrecker.

The race was expected to end better for the son of the Intimidator, whose death at Daytona ten years ago was honored all during Speedweeks.

It had to bring some peace to Junior on Lap 3 when all the fans in the stands and the infield stood with three fingers in the air, the the only sound being the cars on the track.

Certainly it brought joy to the No. 88 driver when he took the lead during the race and the crowd, filled with members of Junior Nation, cheered wildly.

At the end of the race, Earnhardt Jr. finished in 24th place. Johnson finished 27th while Gordon came in at 28th. Mark Martin recovered to finish in 10th position.

In a post-race interview, Junior showed his disappointment remaining happy for Trevor Bayne. He said, "The boy drove his heart out."

So now the season really begins with the Phoenix race next week.  It appears the swap may be working for Earnhardt Jr. and Martin.  Gordon didn't seem to have the speed that he was expected to have and Johnson seems to have problems at Daytona with some less than desirable finishes.

Earnhardt Jr. saw potential for strong runs with his new team, but the Daytona 500 unfortunately ended with disappointment for him.