Earnhardt crashes in practice, forced to backup car

Crew members work on the #88 National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., after he was involved in an on track incident during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 18, 2012 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

 

Crew members work on the #88 National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., after he was involved in an on track incident during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 18, 2012 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. went to a backup car for Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 after crashing in Turn 2 late in Saturday’s final practice session.

The No. 88 Chevrolet Earnhardt wrecked was the same one he drove to victory at Michigan in June, when he broke a 143-race winless streak.

Though Earnhardt didn’t get any laps in the backup on Saturday, he tested the chassis during extended practice before the June race, according to a story by David Caraviello of NASCAR.com.

Earnhardt, who qualified 22nd, must start from the rear of the field on Sunday. No driver has won both Michigan races in the same season since Bobby Labonte accomplished the feat in 1995.

Greg Engle
About Greg Engle 7421 Articles
Greg is a published award winning sportswriter who spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community. Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.