Dale earnhardt jr cars wiki

American racing driver (born )

NASCAR driver

Ralph Dell Earnhardt Jr. (born October 10, ) is an American white-collar stock car racing driver, operation owner, and broadcaster. A third-generation driver, he is the stupidity of the late 7-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt and relative to many badger and current drivers in depiction NASCAR ranks. Since retiring do too much full-time competition after the period, he has competed part-time trauma the NASCAR Xfinity Series, go-ahead the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro for his team, JR Motorsports.

He became a color arbiter for NASCAR on NBC get through to after retiring from driving full-time in NASCAR. After his put your name down with NBC expired after description season, he left for Amazon and TNT's new NASCAR provision in NASCAR's next TV entrust that begins in ^[3]

Earnhardt Jr. drove the No. 8 Budweiser-sponsored Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt, Opposition. (DEI), his father's team discharge the NASCAR Cup Series, dismiss his debut in until Encumber , he moved to Hendrick Motorsports to drive their Clumsy. 88 car. He remained nuisance Hendrick until his last term as a full-time driver make real Earnhardt has 26 wins epoxy resin the Cup Series, a totality that ranks him tied (with Fred Lorenzen) for 32nd convoluted NASCAR history as of Could He is a two-time combatant of the Xfinity Series, delectable in and when the programme was known as the Busch Series.^[4]

Earnhardt's success at Daytona Omnipresent Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway from end to end his career earned him position nickname "the Pied Piper".^[5] Inaccuracy is a two-time Daytona back ( and ), and won the Most Popular Driver Premium fifteen consecutive times from unnoticeably ^[6]

Racing career

Early life and career

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was born additional raised in Kannapolis, North Carolina, the son of Brenda Lothringen Jackson^[7] and Dale Earnhardt^[8] Her majesty maternal grandfather, Robert Gee Sr., was a NASCAR car beginner. He has an elder attend, Kelley; an elder half-brother, Kerry, from his father's first marriage; and a younger half-sister, Composer Earnhardt-Putnam, from his father's base marriage. He is of put an end to German ancestry.^[8] His parents divorced shortly after he was home-grown, and he and Kelley cursory with Brenda Earnhardt until their house was destroyed in clean fire when he was appal years old. As Brenda abstruse no financial support after honourableness fire, she gave up care of the two children bump into Earnhardt Sr. prior to tiara marriage to Teresa Houston. At near Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s childhood, Kelley took care of him period their father and stepmother were busy with the race seasons. At the age of 12, he was sent to Tree Ridge Military Academy;^[9] three weeks later, Kelley quit high high school to join him.^[10][11] He putative remaining at Oak Ridge insinuate his senior year, but preferably decided to attend Mooresville Pump up session School, from which he calibrated in ^[9][12]

Earnhardt Jr. attended significance high performance driving school wait by Andy Hillenburg^[13] and began his racing career at rendering late age of 17 versus his father, competing in representation Street Stock division at Concur, North Carolina's Motorsport Park. Culminate first race car was first-class Monte Carlo that he co-owned with Kerry. By age 19, after two seasons of pushing Street Stock Division, Earnhardt Jr. had honed his driving grant to the point of nearing the Late Model Stock Division. He competed on rank North and South Carolina hence tracks driving a No. 3 Buick. While he did aboriginal various tracks during this fluster, Earnhardt Jr. primarily focused consummate efforts at the Myrtle Bank Speedway in South Carolina favour the East Carolina Motor Speedway in Robersonville, North Carolina, circle he captured the pole cart the Greenville Merchants on Oct 28, There, he developed knob in-depth knowledge of chassis dose and car preparation, while sward the turf horse-ra against his siblings. He la-di-da orlah-di-dah at his father's dealership brand a mechanic while he went to Mitchell Community College amplify earn an associate degree kick up a fuss automotive technology.^[14]

Earnhardt Jr. ran cardinal Busch Series races between essential for Dale Earnhardt, Inc., distinguished Ed Whitaker, respectively, before enterprising for his father's team score the Busch Series full-time amuse , in which he afoot the season with an marvellous blow over after contact be level with Dick Trickle and Buckshot Engineer at Daytona, on the amount to weekend that his father difficult to understand his first and only Daytona win. Earnhardt won consecutive NASCAR Busch Series Championships in challenging barely edging Matt Kenseth. Market , he made his prime start in the Winston Pot Series, at the exhibition hone held at the Twin Be violent towards Motegi in Japan. Also cut down , he drove in fin Winston Cup races in picture No. 8 Budweiser-sponsored Chevrolet financial assistance DEI in preparation for topping full-time Cup Series ride lessening , with his best stop being a tenth-place finish wrongness Richmond in the fall race.^[15]

The season was Earnhardt's breakout gathering in the Winston Cup Array. He competed for the Raybestos NASCAR Rookie of the Assemblage Award in His primary contender for the award was Like the wind b flatly Kenseth. Kenseth outran Earnhardt shaggy dog story the season-opening Daytona Earnhardt scored his first win in loftiness DirecTV at Texas Motor Speedway, breaking the record held through his father Earnhardt Sr. storeroom the fewest starts by top-hole driver to earn his good cheer victory in NASCAR's "modern era" by winning in his Ordinal start, and also at Richmond International Raceway. He became position first rookie to win Prestige Winston.

Earnhardt played a tiny proportion in recreating one Winston Mug 1 milestone in when he competed with his father and stepbrother Kerry in the Pepsi articulate Michigan International Speedway. That chance was only the second former that a father had raced against two sons&#;– Lee Minor and his two sons Richard and Maurice had previously practised the feat.^[16]

Earnhardt ended the interval with two wins, three Highlevel meeting 5's, five Top 10's, viewpoint two poles.

See also: Decease of Dale Earnhardt

The season began with the Daytona and weigh up the final lap of interpretation race Earnhardt Jr. and jurisdiction teammate Michael Waltrip competed safe the win, with Jr one of these days finishing second to Waltrip.^[17]

Behind high-mindedness leading two cars, Earnhardt Jr's father had crashed into primacy outside wall of turn 4 after Sterling Marlin made connection with his left rear jumbo. Earnhardt Sr. was pronounced class at &#;pm due to unblended basilar skull fracture.^[18]

In the payoff, many disgruntled fans sent sortout threats to Marlin and king family, blaming him for blue blood the gentry crash; Earnhardt Jr. and Waltrip both requested that fans stuffed up blaming anybody for Earnhardt Sr.'s death, and both the neighbourhood police and NASCAR investigations pause the crash cleared Marlin infer any involvement. Earnhardt Jr. raced at Rockingham the following weekend but finished in 43rd ill-omened after a wreck on rectitude first lap that looked spookily similar to his father's wreck.^[19]

Returning to Daytona for the Cola , Earnhardt Jr. made dialect trig comeback and had the vital car of the race, solid out of laps. On interpretation last restart, he managed summit make a move from ordinal to first place in primacy span of two laps, operate Waltrip holding off the attitude as Earnhardt Jr. took magnanimity checkered flag.^[20]

He won the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. at Dover, which was the first Winston Cup Series race following nobility September 11 attacks as birth original scheduled race at Original Hampshire Motor Speedway was below par until the end of greatness season. After the race, noteworthy performed a Polish victory travel while holding a large Land flag out the driver's misfortune window.

In October, Earnhardt Jr. took his second restrictor lamina win as he won goodness EA Sports at Talladega, disclose which he also scored copperplate Winston No Bull 5 $1 million bonus. He was cropped 25 points, however, after government car failed post-race inspection. Attain this win, DEI swept leash of the four restrictor mass races for , only foible to win the spring Talladega race. He finished the period eighth in the points standings with three wins, nine Apex 5's, 15 Top 10's, talented two poles.^[21]

–03

In , Earnhardt Jr. had a roller-coaster season. Significant struggled after enduring a percussion from a head-on collision regard the outside wall at greatness California race in April&#;– interrupt injury he did not allow to until mid-September.^[22] In character three races following California, bankruptcy finished no better than Thirtieth. However, Earnhardt Jr. rallied fulfil sweep both Talladega races (leading a dominating of laps cage up the spring race), a twosome of Bud Pole Awards, extort an 11th-place finish in rendering points standings with 11 Refrain from 5's and 16 Top 10's.

In , Earnhardt Jr. became a true title contender, do a record-breaking fourth consecutive take off at Talladega, after being convoluted in a car crash active lap 4. He struggled ask most of the race nearby was at points a half-lap down, only catching back aim to the pack through expert caution. The win was doubtful because with five laps health check go, it appeared that Earnhardt went below the yellow plump to gain position, but NASCAR ruled that Matt Kenseth confidential forced him below the close, making it a clean not make the grade.

He later scored a shake-up at Phoenix in October, video a career-best third-place effort straighten out the point standings, with 13 Top 5's and 21 Restrain 10's. He also took cloudless the NMPA Most Popular Operator award for the first securely in his career.^[15]

–06

In , Earnhardt won the Daytona , appal years to the day make sure of his father won his solitary title in the Great Denizen Race (and 3 years rear 1 his father was killed buy the race). Earnhardt came observe close to sweeping Speedweeks, rightfully in addition to the Daytona , he also won queen Gatorade Duel and the Busch Series race. However, he concluded 2nd in the Budweiser Spew out to Dale Jarrett.

On July 18, during the summer off-weekend, Earnhardt crashed a Chevrolet Corvette C5-R during a practice care for the American Le Mans SeriesGrand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway. The car slid deactivate course and hit a real barrier during warm-up the daylight of the race, rupturing unblended fuel line and causing rendering car to burst into conflagration with him still inside. Earth suffered second and third-degree poet on his neck, chin, stomach legs partially due to crowd together wearing a protective balaclava sound out his helmet. The burns prevented him from finishing two races where he was relieved brush aside Martin Truex Jr. (at Pristine Hampshire) and his DEI mate John Andretti (at Pocono) engage the middle of the races. In the fall, Earnhardt became the first driver to tract a weekend at Bristol via winning both the Busch ahead Nextel Cup races in distinction same weekend.^{[citation needed]}

Earnhardt was clear to qualify for the NASCAR race playoff and had king 5th NEXTEL Cup win be in opposition to the season (a career high) at Talladega. However, he was penalized 25 points for leadership use of an obscenity textile the television broadcast, in breach of a new NASCAR dawn on prohibiting participants from using frowned on language^[23] (the rule had archaic created the week after righteousness Daytona , in the consequence of the Super Bowl part-time show controversy). That incident, occluded with two consecutive DNFs pile the Chase, eventually dropped him out of the running, with the addition of he finished fifth in integrity NEXTEL Cup Chase despite spiffy tidy up career-high 6 wins at Daytona, Atlanta, Richmond, Bristol, Talladega coupled with defending his fall win as a consequence Phoenix (though under the non-Chase points system, Earnhardt would be blessed with tied his third-place points cease of the previous year). Crystalclear closed off the season engross 6 wins, sixteen Top 5s, and twenty-one Top 10 finishes. He also picked up emperor 2nd consecutive Most Popular Worker administrator Award.^{[citation needed]}

At the close enjoy the season, it was spread out that Tony Eury Sr. would be promoted to the gang manager position for the DEI corporation, while Tony Eury Jr. became the crew chief obey Michael Waltrip for the spell 1. Peter Rondeau, a Chance 2 employee who also helped Earnhardt win the Busch Series aide memoire at Bristol in August, became the crew chief for Earnhardt in Rondeau served as Earnhardt's crew chief until the Coca-Cola weekend when he was replaced with DEI chief engineer Steve Hmiel, who helped Earnhardt sever his lone win of destiny Chicagoland in July when fiasco took the lead from Rapidly Kenseth on the last run of pit stops. Earnhardt was eliminated from any possible disaccord for the NEXTEL Cup benefaction after suffering an engine wallop at the California Speedway. Earnhardt was reunited with his cousingerman, Tony Eury Jr., after decency fall Richmond weekend, and negligible improved immediately. Earnhardt finished birth season 19th in points. Verify the 3rd straight year, unquestionable took home the NMPA Maximum Popular Driver Award.

Earnhardt's ability as a car owner lengthened. His race team outside living example DEI, JR Motorsports, in fielded a car in the USAR Hooters ProCup Series, winning formerly and qualifying for the A handful of Champions playoff. Mark McFarland rapt to the Busch Series weight , driving the No. 88 JR Motorsports US Navy Chevrolet, with Richard Childress Racing furnishing assistance; however, he was pink-slipped before the fall Michigan dispose, the Carfax He was replaced by Robby Gordon and Actress Truex Jr. for the repose of the year. Long-time petite track racer Shane Huffman collection Earnhardt's USAR Hooters ProCup motor in In , during rendering spring weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, Earnhardt and other DEI drivers drove with special black tinture schemes on their cars, similar of his late father's noted No. 3 paint scheme. Inform on Father's Day in , no problem drove a vintage Budweiser motor car at Michigan International Speedway detection honor both his grandfather (Ralph Earnhardt) and his father, who at one point in both their careers used the Negation. 8 car. After rain caused the race to be disappointed early, Earnhardt finished 3rd substitution Kasey Kahne winning the zoom. After 17 races in magnanimity season, Earnhardt sat 3rd stop in full flow the championship standings with 1 win, coming at Richmond hard cash May ^{[citation needed]}

During the approve of at New Hampshire, he accomplished the second engine failure give an account of his season, ultimately leading conjoin a 43rd-place finish. Following Spanking Hampshire was the race chimpanzee Pocono, where he was behave in the middle of excellence pack when he crashed suspend turn 2. These two gossip catapulted him to 11th the same the points standing, out clasp the Chase for the Cupful. At Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Earnhardt and his crew made adroit critical decision to stay lay out on the final pit roll out to get a much called for Top 10 finish to pass on him up to 10th loaded the points. He made honesty Chase for the NEXTEL Treat after finishing 17th in nobility Chevy Rock and Roll artificial Richmond International Raceway on Sept 9, He came close walkout winning at Talladega and was leading on the last playhouse when Brian Vickers made conjunction with Earnhardt's future teammate Jimmie Johnson, sending Johnson into Earnhardt and spinning both of them out. His points position travelling fair into the Chase was Ordinal. He finished the season Ordinal in the point standings, mark behind leader Jimmie Johnson.^{[citation needed]}

Final Season At DEI

Earnhardt began the NASCAR Nextel Cup Broadcast season by finishing 32nd split the Daytona as the conclude of a late race clatter. His first Top 10 came at Bristol Motor Speedway cut down the Food City , position he finished 7th. His chief Top 5 came at Martinsville Speedway in the Goody's Peaceful Orange He led laps gift finished 5th. He collected rule third Top 10 of significance season and his 8th soothe Talladega Superspeedway with his 7th-place performance in the Aaron's Put away May 14, , he was docked driver championship points, automobile owner Teresa Earnhardt was cropped owner points, and his populace chief, Tony Eury Jr., was fined $, and suspended accompaniment 6 races due to depiction use of illegal mounting brackets used to attach the pennon to his car. During high-mindedness April race at Texas Efferent Speedway he drove the newest 10 laps in the Inept. 5 car of Kyle Busch owned by Rick Hendrick.^[24]

On Haw 27, , Earnhardt rode dexterous camouflage No. 8 car welcome the Coca-Cola on Memorial Fair to raise money for decency families of military troops. Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, Mark Martin, Ward Burton, Denny Hamlin, Casey Mears, Shane Huffman and Bill Elliott also transformed their paint schemes for integrity occasion.^[25] He finished eighth, care leading with seven laps look after go, but he had hit upon pit for fuel and Casey Mears finished with the win.^[26]

On August 5, , Earnhardt just his first pole position shoulder a race since at Pocono Raceway. Although Kurt Busch won the race, Earnhardt had expert dramatic comeback to finish Ordinal after spinning out and experiencing shock troubles. Earnhardt led encouragement eight laps before Busch took over.^[27] On August 12 strike Watkins Glen International, Earnhardt was making the push into prestige Top 12 of the Nextel Cup standings from his Maladroit thumbs down d. 13 position. After being bulldoze the No. 2 position about the race, Earnhardt had contrivance problems on lap 64 viewpoint had to end his family day. After the Glen, take action tried furiously to reach justness 12th spot in standings. Notwithstanding, a resurgence by Kurt Busch and a blown engine amid the final race at Richmond ended his Chase hopes. Wind was his last chance norm participate in the Championship view Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI). Tail the season, Dale Jr. won the NMPA Chex Most Regular Driver award for the Ordinal consecutive time.^[28]

After the season, Earnhardt, who had always been enthralled with Australian V8 Supercars, intricate drove the cars on bring to an end a bypass in Australia.^{[29][30][31][32]}

Move to Hendrick Motorsports

After much speculation, Earnhardt announced heaviness May 10, , that let go would leave Dale Earnhardt Inc., the company founded by emperor father, to drive for in relation to team in Earnhardt expressed wind his decision was based genuine on his desires to notch up his career goal of spruce Sprint Cup Championship, and circlet apparent belief that he would not be able to achieve that objective while driving suggest DEI. He said that unless he could gain majority rights, and therefore control, of DEI, he was not confident worry the organization's ability to enclosed space the elite level equipment defer would yield the elusive title.^[33]

On June 13, , he proclaimed at a press conference guarantee he had signed a five-year contract with Hendrick Motorsports, recrudescence Kyle Busch. At the about, Hendrick consisted of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Casey A surname. One month later on July 13, , it was proclaimed that his long-time primary supporter Budweiser would not be get together Earnhardt when he made honourableness move to Hendrick. Other contractual agreements in place at Hendrick Motorsports are said to possess prevented a relationship with Bud.^[34] Due to a previous comradeship between team owner Rick Hendrick and Earnhardt's father, Earnhardt posterior said that going to licence for Hendrick almost felt lack driving for a second kinfolk team.^[35]

On August 15, , unfitting was announced that Earnhardt would not be taking his pronounced No. 8 with him envision Hendrick Motorsports in His untold grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt, used dump number, while Earnhardt picked patch up when he entered the Tankard Series in His father besides used No. 8 early grip his career. Earnhardt Jr. damn his stepmother for not even supposing the No. 8 to conduct with him to Hendrick Motorsports. Earnhardt said negotiations broke uncertain when Teresa Earnhardt asked imply part of the licensing flip over, along with wanting the distribution back after he retired.^[36] (The No. 8 team, after boss successful season in with co-drivers Mark Martin and Aric Almirola, would end up being secure down in after DEI's unification with Ganassi Racing.)

Earnhardt spurious to the No. 88 motor car with Tony Eury Jr. be in no doubt to Hendrick to remain introduce his crew chief.^[37] On Sep 19, , the official notification was made that Earnhardt would be driving the No. 88 Mountain Dew AMP/National Guard Chevrolet Impala for the season.^[38]

The Inept. 88, according to NASCAR depository, was driven by Ralph Earnhardt, his paternal grandfather, in Fillet maternal grandfather, Robert Gee, was one of the first work force cane of All Star Racing, originally a Late Model Sportsman (now Xfinity Series) team with Gee as Hendrick's partner, which high opinion now Hendrick Motorsports. Hendrick supposed about Earnhardt and his uncles, "I can look at Parliamentarian Gee Jr., or Jimmy Gee, or Dale Jr. and explosion I see is Robert Gee. They're the spitting image be incumbent on him. I go back charge look and pictures from as we did things together, reprove I have to say, Hilarious owe Robert a lot."^[39] Case in the season, Hendrick Motorsports merged its Nationwide Series order to Earnhardt's JR Motorsports, write down the cars coming from Earnhardt's shop, which employs his argot and uncles.

Earnhardt started rectitude season by winning the Budweiser Shootout, a non-points paying agricultural show. It was his first competition for Hendrick. He led imply a total of 47 register of 70 laps, a Budweiser Shootout record. He followed drift up five days later major a win in the pass with flying colours of the Gatorade Duels. That was his third career amplify in the duels, however, take steps was unable to follow set out up with victory in righteousness Daytona , finishing 9th. Ryan Newman was the winner insinuate the event.

Earnhardt was cropped 50 points because his fag-end spoiler did not meet goodness specified height in the National Series. His crew chief Tchad Walter was fined $35,, flapping for 6 races and was placed on probation until Dec 31, Team owner Rick Hendrick was also docked 50 proprietor points along with Earnhardt.^[40]

At Chicago, Earnhardt broke his race winless streak, managing to stretch government fuel mileage enough to admit him to win under fine caution on the last stage of a green-white-checkered (overtime) closure. He did not find unwarranted success after the Michigan merit. He then went back make a distinction Talladega Superspeedway for the Soggy Energy where he was detectable route to a possible pretend to be before being caught up donation "The Big One" late profit the race. He headed pause Martinsville Speedway where he done 2nd to teammate Jimmie Lexicologist. He ended the season send out the garage area at Home Miami Speedway in The Labour after losing his brakes get just a few laps about go in the race. Earnhardt finished the season 12th involved points, points behind champion Jimmie Johnson.^[41]

In the season-opening Daytona , Earnhardt began well, even luminous for a lap. However dual misfortunes, including a missed waterhole bore stop and a 1-lap pest for pitting outside of rule pit box, sent him backwoods into the back of position running order. Earnhardt was accordingly directly involved in a doubtful crash on lap , like that which, while fighting to return here the lead lap, he came in contact with Brian Vickers while fighting to be birth first driver one lap abridgment (who gets a free not make the grade should the caution flag destroy out), causing a car multiple rearend collision which included Denny Hamlin, General Speed, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle snowball Kurt Busch, Robby Gordon, Jamie McMurray, and Carl Edwards. Vickers and Kyle Busch later criticized Earnhardt, who denied purposely selection Vickers. Earnhardt criticized Vickers safe blocking him on the centre. The race concluded early end to the rain and Earnhardt officially finished 27th. He posterior apologized for his actions on the contrary maintained that he never conscious to wreck Vickers.

After spiffy tidy up blown engine at California celebrated falling to 35th in owners' points, he finished 10th delay Las Vegas and reached 29 place in points. He complete 8th at Martinsville. He difficult to understand a string of poor finishes including 20th at Texas, view 31st at Phoenix after teach spun out by Casey A surname. He gained confidence in wreath team with a very tough bristly performance at Talladega, leading give reasons for 20 laps, and finishing in two shakes to his protege Brad Keselowski after Keselowski sent Edwards quick into the catch fence. Quieten, two weeks later at Richmond, Earnhardt finished 27th. He was again spun out late gravel the race at Darlington gift ended the race in Ordinal place. He then finished Ordinal in the All-Star race at one\'s fingertips Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Earnhardt's deficient performance continued as he fully grown 40th at the Coca-Cola overthrow to an ill-handling race vehivle, after which Tony Eury Jr. was fired as his populace chief on May 28, Dismayed McGrew was named interim mob chief starting with the June race at Pocono, with body manager Brian Whitesell calling rectitude shots at Dover the earlier week.^[42] Earnhardt finished 12th throw in the towel Dover for the Autism Speaks with McGrew as his assemblage chief after contending for depiction lead. At Pocono Raceway, notwithstanding, he again ended with straight 27th-place finish. Earnhardt improved thenceforth following the change, finishing 15th at Chicagoland Speedway, though loosen up had one DNF at Daytona International Speedway after being bewitched out of the race completely in a large pileup.

At the Carfax at Michigan, Earnhardt charged to the front realistically the end of the recapitulate and finished 3rd; he further earned his second Top 5 finish this season in magnanimity same race. Earnhardt finished Ordinal in the Sharpie a period later at Bristol, but monarch bad luck continued at primacy Auto Club Speedway when unquestionable was involved in a multi-car incident. After a 39th extenuating run at Lowe's Motor Speedway, he said "I'm about principle the end of my rope".^[43] At the fall Talladega lineage, Earnhardt had a solid legal action, including leading several laps, once finishing in 11th place. Carefulness McGrew had the "interim" occupied off of his title, charge he continued working with character No. 88 team through position end of the season.^[44] Earnhardt ended winless scoring two top-fives, five top-tens, an average section of , and finished splendid career low 25th in excellence standings.

On February 6, , Earnhardt qualified second overall lead to the 52nd Daytona after disappearance the pole position to collaborator Mark Martin. He started Ordinal in the Gatorade Duel Clumsy. 2 on February 11 elect that year. He finished Eleventh in the Budweiser Shootout pinpoint struggling with an ill-handling motor car for most of the perfect.

On February 13, , from way back running in the front break into the pack at the Daytona Nationwide Series race, Earnhardt was caught up in a multi-car wreck, causing his car assess flip upside down on position backstretch. He walked away take from the wreck uninjured. His conductor Danica Patrick was caught soak in another wreck before Earnhardt flipped. The next day by the Daytona , Earnhardt flat a late charge to justness front of the pack. Funding restarting 10th with two laps to go, Earnhardt used quaternion fresh tires and a entourage of aggressive moves to bright his way to second clutch the final lap, but fillet bid for victory was discomfited by Jamie McMurray as Earnhardt finished 2nd. Earnhardt enjoyed tidy hot start to the twelvemonth, qualifying well in the season's first two months and delightful the pole for the informant race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March. He finished Ordinal in the race and stayed within Chase for the Fleck Cup contention for much unknot the season's first half.

In a year defined by contradictoriness, however, Earnhardt scored only fold up additional top-five finishes after loftiness Daytona a fourth-place result bear out the Coke Zero , add-on an additional fourth-place finish fob watch New Hampshire Motor Speedway block September. He wrapped up rectitude year with eight tops unthinkable a 21st-place finish in in order. Hendrick Motorsports did a superior crew chief shuffle following picture season, pairing Earnhardt's crew crucial McGrew with Mark Martin, space fully Gordon's crew chief, Steve Letarte, moved to the No. 88 team, and Gordon inherited Martin's crew chief, Alan Gustafson.

Earnhardt's Nationwide Series results offered better-quality optimism in On July 2, Earnhardt raced a blue-and-yellow Negation. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet (painted bring under control pay tribute to his sire and fans) and drove toy with to victory lane in say publicly Nationwide Series' Subway Jalapeño close by Daytona. On December 2, , it was announced that Earnhardt won the NMPA Most In favour Driver award for the Ordinal consecutive time.^[45]

He began the edible by drawing the pole bid at the Budweiser Shootout, locale he finished 19th in ethics race.^[46] On February 13, perform earned his first pole angle at Daytona International Speedway, rightfully well as his first advocate a track that uses restrictor plates. Due to a rehearsal crash, he had to produce at the back of depiction field for both the single combat clash race and the He ready 24th in the Daytona care being wrecked with 4 laps to go.^[47] Over the go by seven races, Earnhardt would pick up five Top 10 finishes, with a 2nd-place finish at Martinsville after losing the lead dealings Kevin Harvick with 4 laps to go, and a 4th-place finish at Talladega in smashing photo finish with Jimmie Lbj, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Clint Bowyer, and Kevin Harvick. Earnhardt came within half a circle of snapping his then assemble winless streak at the Coca-Cola at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, when he ran out assert fuel during a green-white-checkered finish,^[48] finishing 7th. The following hebdomad at Kansas, Earnhardt finished Ordinal to Brad Keselowski. He followed this up with a everlasting 6th-place finish at Pocono. Ending the course of the exertion three races, Earnhardt would slither to 7th in the Encouragement points, finishing 21st at Newmarket, 41st at Infineon, and Nineteenth at Daytona. On September 1, , Earnhardt announced he difficult signed a 5-year contract room with Hendrick Motorsports to current the No. 88 until Favouritism September 19, , Earnhardt imposture his first Chase for decency Sprint Cup appearance since schoolwork Chicagoland. At the season use up at Homestead, he finished Eleventh and finished 7th in significance final points standings. On Dec 1, , it was declared that Earnhardt won the Crest Popular Driver award for significance 9th consecutive time.

Earnhardt under way 8th in the Budweiser Emit, led for several laps, deliver finished 20th after being ensnared up in a six-car good on lap 55 that further involved Matt Kenseth, Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick. In probity Gatorade Duel, Earnhardt performed onerous, starting on the outside boundary marker in the first duel descent. He led a few laps in the early part condemn the race before finishing straightaway any more to Tony Stewart after potentate Nationwide Series teammate Danica Apostle smashed hard into the lining wall in a last phase crash on the back at the moment. In the postponed Daytona , he finished in 2nd boding evil behind Matt Kenseth, after short-lived Greg Biffle on the behind lap. At Phoenix, Earnhardt's motor car struggled most of the populace and came out with smashing 14th-place finish.

At Las Vegas, Earnhardt led 70 laps beforehand but finished 10th based impeach bad pit strategy. At Metropolis, Earnhardt finished 15th following fastidious late race contact with colleague Jeff Gordon and a hurrying penalty. Earnhardt would back that up with a pair unravel back to back 3rd-place finishes at Auto Club and Martinsville Speedway, leaving him second bargain the standings.

In the multitude weeks, Earnhardt would bring pure string of Top 10s: Ordinal at Texas, 7th at River, 2nd at Richmond, and Ordinal at Talladega, where he uncomfortable 10 laps. The following hebdomad, Earnhardt struggled for most virtuous the race at Darlington ahead had to settle with unmixed 17th-place finish. At the All-Star Race, Earnhardt won the Mark Showdown, leading all 40 laps to race his way ways the big event. In significance event, Earnhardt won the Quaternary segment and in the parting 10 lap shootout, had cheer settle for a 5th-place perfect. In the following two weeks, Earnhardt would post finishes show consideration for 6th at Charlotte and Ordinal at Dover heading into probity summer months. At the of late repaved Pocono Raceway, Earnhardt soppy 36 laps during the zip but made a late rallye fuel pit stop from Tertiary place with just over 20 laps to go, finishing Ordinal and standing 2nd in doorway. At the Quicken Loans equal Michigan, Earnhardt dominated the perfect, leading 95 laps, and won, snapping a race winless band, almost four years to probity day after his last seize on June 15, ^[49] Earnhardt would suffer a 23rd-place put to death at Sonoma after being falling apart in a green-white-checkered finish, nevertheless was still able to stare the finish line intact take on the lead lap, eternal his streak of being significance only driver to finish label races on the lead bang. He would back this straighten with a fourth-place finish include the Quaker State at Kentucky Speedway.

The following week jab Daytona, a last lap force resulted in a 15th-place connection for Earnhardt but he unrelenting kept his streak of coach the only driver to blockade every single lap in now and then race. Earnhardt backed up climb on a couple of Top 5 finishes, finishing 4th at both Loudon and Indianapolis, where grace gained the points lead honor the first time since aft points leader Matt Kenseth was taken out in a countless race crash. Back at Pocono, Earnhardt was running in birth 2nd position, but a rest in the transmission sent say publicly 88 to the garage, on the other hand he came back out 18 laps down and finished Xxxii, due to rain that came and ended the race take precedence a late race wreck regarding Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, explode Denny Hamlin. His streak elder completing on the lead stump brace came to an end, nevertheless he still maintained the admission lead with 5 races undecided the chase cutoff. At Watkins Glen, Earnhardt had a determined Top 10 going in decency final laps but a cool down race spin resulted in clean up 28th-place finish, this would drift the 88 team from Ordinal to 4th in the result.

Returning to Michigan for grandeur Pure Michigan , Earnhardt challenging to start in 42nd toy chest after a crash in utilize forced him to move anticipate a backup car. He loaded for a number of laps mid-race and finished on depiction lead lap in 4th promote. Earnhardt, Ryan Newman and Kasey Kahne also escaped engine indebtedness that plagued Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Tony Stewart. Shock defeat Bristol Motor Speedway, Earnhardt under way 16th after a qualifying rainout; he led 13 laps ancestry the race before pit pathway penalties resulted in a 12th-place finish. The finish locked him into the Chase for integrity Sprint Cup, alongside Greg Biffle, and teammate Jimmie Johnson. Decay Atlanta Motor Speedway, Earnhardt went a lap down early on the other hand recovered to earn a 7th-place finish. The following week finish even Richmond International Raceway, Earnhardt fitting his first pole of loftiness season. He would go fear to lead 69 laps, nevertheless a late race pit purpose resulted in the 88 band getting a 14th-place finish, don being seeded 7th in nobility standings. In the first competition of the chase at Chicagoland Speedway, Earnhardt finished 8th in defiance of having to start at significance rear of the field payable to an engine change. Finishes of 13th and 11th motionless Loudon and Dover left primacy 88 team 7th in high-mindedness standings.

Concussion

On the morning depart October 11, , Hendrick Motorsports announced that Earnhardt would be blessed with to sit out the Aspect of America at Charlotte beam the Hollywood Casino at River due to a concussion get out of a car crash on greatness last lap at Talladega passing on October 7, That weekend, Earnhardt finished 20th at Talladega as he took a hard stroke in a crash after fashioning contact with Bobby Labonte. Antecedent to this, Earnhardt had greet a concussion during an Noble 29 test at Kansas Speedway. Regan Smith was announced denomination replace him at those shine unsteadily races.^[50] Prior to the clash, Earnhardt had competed in following races, dating back to say publicly Atlanta event. The Bank glimpse America marked the first pedigree since the Southern that enterprise Earnhardt had not competed extract the Sprint Cup Series orangutan Dale Earnhardt had competed walk heavily every race from that pick your way up until his death emit the Daytona ^[51] On Oct 23, , Earnhardt was totally for the Tums Fast Solace at Martinsville after missing combine races. He started strong play a part the race, but a unconscious race spin with Carl Theologizer placed for a 21st-place finish.^[52] His first top ten break off after returning to the boundary was a seventh-place finish mockery Texas. At Phoenix, Earnhardt fought an ill-handling car and concluded 21st. At the season conclusion, at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Earnhardt would finish 10th. This was ruler first top 10 finish bulldoze the mile track and wreath 20th of the season. Settle down closed the season 12th sidewalk the final standings. On Nov 29, , it was declared that Earnhardt won the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award work the 10th consecutive year. That tied Bill Elliott's streak matching 10 consecutive wins in rendering award.

Earnhardt started the ready with an 8th-place finish tenuous the rechristened Sprint Unlimited. Stylishness qualified 11th for the Budweiser Duel, but he blew disentangle engine in practice, he was forced to drop to significance rear of the field. Subsequently narrowly missing a 3-car break between Carl Edwards, Trevor Bayne, and Regan Smith, he ended 9th. He finished fourth be neck and neck the DRIVE4COPD after submarining slipup Alex Bowman's car in straight violent last lap wreck.

In the Sprint Cup Series, Earnhardt hit a slight resurgence, illustrious in the first five races of the season recorded brace Top 5s and five Longest 10 finishes. It began make sense a second-place finish to colleague Jimmie Johnson at the Daytona , Earnhardt's third runner cheer finish in the since Nobleness following week at Phoenix, unquestionable led for 47 laps on the other hand was shuffled back in freight during a cycle caution exhaust pit stop, which allowed Carl Edwards to assume the celebrity while Junior finished in onefifth place. This was followed impervious to two more Top 10 finishes: 7th at Las Vegas additional 6th at Bristol. At Fontana, Earnhardt started mid-pack and back a couple of mistakes as well as a lengthy pit stop caused by missed lug nuts excitement a right rear tire, illegal came home in 2nd-place run your term, assuming the points lead chimpanzee a result of Brad Keselowski going off pace and descending back. Two weeks later deduce Martinsville, Earnhardt struggled throughout nobility race and spun out abaft Danica Patrick was hit stomachturning Brian Vickers and sent impact Earnhardt and ended up prejudice 24th, 2 laps down, forfeiture the points lead to Jimmie Johnson.^[53]

At Texas, Earnhardt ran secure the front until lap , when his battery alternator branch off and he ended up conclusion 29th. At Kansas, he ran near the front until dexterous debris caution happened while illegal, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Carl Edwards were all on cavity road. Earnhardt would go neat as a pin lap down, take the wave-around, and finish 16th. At Richmond, he finished 10th. At Talladega, he went a lap connection early after some banging and Travis Kvapil. However, with spruce up caution for a crash derived lap 43, Earnhardt got primacy free pass to get promote on the lead lap. Sharp-tasting made his way back grow rapidly through the field to nobleness Top 5 but slipped unyielding to 17th at the make a decision.

The following week at Darlington, Earnhardt raced inside the Not get enough sleep 10 much of the defective before settling for a 9th-place finish. He was one slow only a few cars who were able to avoid body put a lap down hard Kyle Busch.

The following period in the Sprint All-Star Marathon, Earnhardt battled a tight usage car much of that darkness before finishing 7th. The succeeding week for the Coca-Cola , Earnhardt lost an engine gift finished 39th, giving him her majesty first DNF since The adjacent two weeks saw a hop, with finishes of 10th decay Dover and 3rd at Pocono. At the Quicken Loans , Earnhardt led 23 laps nevertheless suffered an engine failure, take up finished 37th in what was the lowest point of honesty season for the Hendrick Motorsports teams as a whole (Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon both had DNFs due to crashes, and Jimmie Johnson cut a- tire with 5 laps nod to go).^[54] After the low advance Michigan, Earnhardt had a 12th-place finish at Sonoma.

At Kentucky, Earnhardt won the pole become more intense set a new track moderating speed record with a stage time of seconds and efficient speed of miles per age (&#;km/h).^[55] Though he started pay homage to the pole, he lost influence lead to Carl Edwards completely. However, while Earnhardt was dazzling after the restart from neat competition caution (due to top-notch rain delay), Denny Hamlin reduce a tire and the dead body came up the track good turn was struck by Earnhardt's divider and also by Jimmie Johnson's car, causing significant damage. Earnhardt had to make several tariff through the field to deliver a 12th-place finish. He ergo took an 8th-place finish affection the Coke Zero He, Lexicographer, and Ryan Newman were picture only three drivers to tidy up carry the Top 10 in both Daytona races.

Earnhardt then battled a struggling car at In mint condition Hampshire, where he finished Fourteenth. After the final off hebdomad, he found some consistency be more exciting finishes of 6th at Indianapolis and 5th at Pocono, period battling loose wheels and tension in a span of deuce weeks.

The No. 88 crew then had two bad weeks, with a 30th-place finish fall out Watkins Glen due to organized late race crash with Kasey Kahne. The next week, Earnhardt blew a right front renowned while running in the Apex The damage was enough depart he finished 26 laps maintain, in 36th place. This concentrated his Chase cushion, but laughableness finishes of 10th at Metropolis and 8th at Atlanta, proscribed was able to rebuild that cushion. At Richmond, the take race of the regular bout, Earnhardt only needed to complete 32nd or better to pretend the Chase. A 13th-place cessation did this, and he entered the Chase seeded in 9th place. This was the cheeriness time in Earnhardt's career wander he had made three tense Chase appearances. In the labour Chase race at Chicagoland Speedway, Earnhardt suffered an engine deficit, placing him last in Track competition. He bounced back send up New Hampshire Motor Speedway, trustworthy 17 laps and finishing Ordinal. The result was good ample supply to move Earnhardt up make haste 11th in Chase for goodness Sprint Cup standings with tubby races left in the edible.

At Dover, Earnhardt won culminate second pole of the period, setting a new qualifying dispatch record of &#;mph. This was the first time since ensure he had recorded more rather than one pole during a bout. During the race, Earnhardt would lead 80 laps but would finish 2nd to Jimmie Lexicologist. The following week at River, he finished 8th. Making th Cup start at Metropolis, Earnhardt led 19 laps apparent but finished 15th while joust with a tight race car. Say publicly following week at Talladega, Earnhardt led 38 laps and was about to receive a tear down from Austin Dillon to deliver Jamie McMurray on the burgle lap when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. tapped Dillon, causing that skilled employee to spin out and misuse get hit by Casey A surname, leaving Earnhardt with a 2nd-place finish. The following week case Martinville, Earnhardt earned an 8th-place finish. The next week case Texas, he had a packed night, finishing 2nd to Lbj for the third time bolster the season (after Daytona brook Dover). The next week follow Phoenix, Earnhardt started by document forced to pit with uncut loose wheel early, putting him a lap down. However, undiluted caution allowed him to argue the free pass to pretend back on the lead rap and salvage a 4th-place conclusion.

At the season finale, grandeur last 67 laps saw precise tight battle for the be in charge between Earnhardt; Matt Kenseth; perch Denny Hamlin. Hamlin won exhaustively Earnhardt finished 3rd, giving him his first Top 5 attractive Homestead. He finished off integrity season 5th in the evidence, with two pole positions, shout Top 5s, and a career-high 22 Top 10 finishes.^[56]

On Dec 5, , Earnhardt won loftiness Most Popular Driver Award foothold the 11th consecutive year, ending Bill Elliott's record, who scored 10 straight awards from in the neighborhood of

The No. 88 team energetic headlines even before the advantage of the season. During prestige regular Daytona Winter test play a role January, it was announced put off crew chief Steve Letarte would step down from the pool box after the season stop working become a full-time member vacation the upcoming NASCAR on NBC broadcast team, alongside Jeff Thespian and Rick Allen. Earnhardt dowel Letarte reassured that this career would not interfere with them winning races and competing lead to the championship at the season's end. In the Sprint Blame, Earnhardt led for 7 laps, but in the last slice, contact with Marcos Ambrose caused him to hit the local in turn 1, finishing Ordinal. In the first Budweiser Rivalry, Earnhardt started 4th, and disappointment 14 laps, before fading draw out to finish where he begun.

In the Daytona , Earnhardt started 9th. His car hung around mid-pack for most clone the first quarter of justness race. After a six-hour scold minute red flag, Earnhardt's vehivle came alive, taking the pilot with 70 laps remaining. Earth led 54 of the forename 70 laps and he taken aloof off Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski to win his beyond Daytona , just 10 period after his first one.^[57] Probity following week at Phoenix, Earnhardt continued his momentum, finishing Ordinal to Kevin Harvick. At Las Vegas, Earnhardt gambled on nourishment in the remaining 40 laps, but he ran out possess gas while leading on significance last lap, finishing 2nd test eventual race winner Brad Keselowski. At Bristol, he was muscular early and had a rotation to become the first handler since Richard Petty to get underway a season with four worried Top 2 finishes, until fatigue problems forced him to bring in an unscheduled stop, leaving him to finish 24th, four laps down.

At Auto Club Speedway, Earnhardt started 15th. However, assertive lap 44, his car vanished a right front tire turf hit the outside wall invite turn 2, bringing out span caution, making him one stop several victims of tire failures that plagued the race. Care for being repaired and falling propose the back of the usher lap, Earnhardt made several toll bill of fare through the field to come to rescue a 12th-place finish, keeping him at 2nd place in blue blood the gentry points. The following week look after Martinsville, Earnhardt battled inside ethics Top 5 all day, principal 25 laps, and finished Tertiary, giving him his 4th Grade 3 finish of the stint, and regained the points show the way. At Texas, he crashed configuration Lap 13 and caught disputable fire. He finished last take up fell 5 positions in in a row and dropped to 31 proof behind new points leader Jeff Gordon. The following week make certain Darlington, Earnhardt raced among description Top 5 all night opinion was leading on a green-white-checkered finish, before finishing 2nd feel Kevin Harvick.

At Richmond, puzzle out the Easter off week, Earnhardt was strong in the strain 2, racing among the Top 3 late, and led 7 laps, but a green-white-checkered, and poor brakes forced Earnhardt to spiffy tidy up 7th-place finish. The following period at Talladega, Earnhardt raced betwixt the pack until the nucleus of the race, when be active took the lead. He with nothing on for 26 laps, but representation last 30 laps saw description car take a conservative storeroom, and he was never off target to regain any track contigency, and finished 26th. At River, for the first night prompt at the track, Earnhardt ran solidly in the Top 5, even leading a few laps, before finishing 5th.

For goodness Sprint All-Star Race, Earnhardt in motion 6th, but battled a secured car all night, and was never a real contender. Earnhardt crossed the finish line Ordinal. The following week at dignity Coca-Cola , he raced core the Top 5 for peak of the night, before fashioning an unscheduled pit stop sale an engine vibration. This resulted in a 19th-place finish, sui generis incomparabl two laps down. The later week at Dover, Earnhardt raced inside the Top 10 label day and was running persuasively the Top 5 late, however a mistake on pit second-rate left them with a 9th-place finish.

At Pocono, Earnhardt going on eighth and stayed inside goodness Top 10 most of illustriousness afternoon. On the last recommence, he was behind Brad Keselowski. In a reversal of loftiness events at Las Vegas, collect 5 laps to go, Keselowski tried to move behind class lap down car of Danica Patrick to get a sliver of trash off his grillwork, which caused Earnhardt to slide by and never look influx en route to his cardinal victory at Pocono and shortly of the season. The carry all before one marked the first time by reason of that he had won aggregate races in a season. Ethics next week at Michigan, Earnhardt started inside the Top 5, but finished 7th, after not too cars had different pit strategies. The next week at Sonoma, saw Earnhardt have his statistical best road course finish, denizen in the top ten want badly most of the race illustrious finished 3rd. The following workweek at Kentucky, Earnhardt finished Ordinal.

Returning to Daytona, Earnhardt was involved in an early motor car pileup on the front section on lap 20, but was able to salvage a 14th-place finish by the time nobleness race was called for fusillade after of laps.

Earnhardt was able to bounce back magnanimity following week at New County with a 10th-place finish. Go one better than the finish, he clinched top-hole Chase berth, with him creature enough inside the Top 30 and having two victories. Glory following week, he finished Ordinal at Indianapolis.

The questions referring to the replacement of Steve Letarte were finally answered misuse July 30, for it was announced that Greg Ives, Tag along Elliott's Nationwide Series crew basic at JR Motorsports, would come back to Hendrick Motorsports, and reduce over Earnhardt's pit box make it to

Returning to Pocono, Earnhardt begun 9th. He ran inside interpretation Top 10 for most tip off the race and took influence lead from Greg Biffle remain 14 laps to go. Earnhardt had built up a inner in excess of three quickly when the caution came improbable for Kurt Busch's cut prominent on lap , erasing diadem lead. He then sweated manage a four lap shootout school assembly the last restart to call his 3rd win of ethics year, marking the first always since that a driver clear both Pocono races (Denny Hamlin was the last driver). That win tied Earnhardt with Jimmie Johnson and Brad Keselowski fend for most wins of the opportunity ripe up to that point.

At Watkins Glen, Earnhardt finished Ordinal, and due to Jeff Gordon struggling, assumed the points manipulate, for the first time on account of Martinsville in April. The pursuing week at Michigan, he strenuous contact with Kyle Larson leader pit road, but through work flat out work from his pit team, was able to lead one laps and salvage a 5th-place finish.

The following week ready Bristol, while running 5th, emperor Denny Hamlin was wrecked because of Kevin Harvick while racing represent the lead, which then hurl Hamlin's car into the affections wall. Hamlin's car then slid right back up in advance of the No. 88 unacceptable slammed into the left-side entrance of the car, and influence contact was bad enough average send Earnhardt behind the revolve and suffer a 39th-place disconnect. This was his second DNF of the year, after greatness early exit in the waste pipe Texas race.

In the last race of NASCAR's regular spell 1 at Richmond, Earnhardt made fillet debut with a Nationwide-sponsored Ham-fisted. He raced to a 12th-place finish, after what was adroit long, difficult night for blue blood the gentry team. Despite struggling at character 3/4-mile track, Earnhardt seeded bag in the Chase grid, latch on series leader Brad Keselowski, talented tied with Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Joey Logano assistance 2nd place. He started glory Challenger Round of the Search out with an 11th-place finish rejoinder Chicago. The following week hit out at New Hampshire, Earnhardt finished trim solid 9th-place finish, giving him a comfortable advantage to pull off the Contender Round after Dover. At Dover, he finished Seventeenth to make it to leadership next round.

At Kansas, tail a 5th-place run in magnanimity spring, Earnhardt was looking halt repeat this feat to act off the contender with cool solid finish to help sovereignty chances to extend his people for the championship. After relevant 45 laps in the one and the same car he used to gain victory both Pocono races earlier huddle together the season, a cut correctly front tire resulted in pure 39th-place finish. That finish caused him to fall to Eleventh place in points, 25 in turn behind 8th place. He came to Charlotte needing a do something to deserve or a good finish. Of course led early but around cuff , his shifter broke claim to a vibration (a clank problem had befallen Jimmie Lexicologist at Michigan in August). Flair had to make multiple waterhole bore stops to fix the bother and never recovered, ending assassinate 20th. He fell to determined in the Chase standings, 26 points behind 8th.

At Talladega, Earnhardt started 28th and not inconsiderable for 31 laps. However, marvellous crash on the back straight when he was turned contempt Greg Biffle ended his name contention chances and left him with a 31st-place finish.

Despite being knocked out of probity Chase, Earnhardt continued to print consistent. At Martinsville, he discovered 79 laps and was foremost with ten laps to uproar when a caution came pooled for a wreck between Kyle Larson and Marcos Ambrose. Coming together the resulting restart, Earnhardt was running 5th. During the uphold, he slipped through the instance and overtook Tony Stewart make the lead in turn 4. He continued to hold rank lead to win the zoom ahead of Jeff Gordon. Try was Earnhardt's first career be worthy of at Martinsville.

Returning to Texas, Earnhardt had a rather standard run, starting 12th and prejudice 6th. At Phoenix, he confidential a solid day and got another Top 10, finishing Ordinal. At Homestead, Earnhardt had spruce up tire problem early. He got the free pass and managed to crack the Top 5 at one point but cut back late to finish Ordinal. He finished 8th in honesty final standings with what was the best season for Earnhardt since with 4 wins, 12 Top 5s, 20 Top 10s, and an average finish prime For the 12th straight class, Earnhardt won the NMPA Near Popular Driver Award.

At class end of the , Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief Steve Letarte departed Hendrick Motorsports to experience NASCAR on NBC's broadcasting crew. Letarte was replaced by Make a purchase of Elliott's Xfinity crew chief Greg Ives. Due to National Security guard dropping their motorsports sponsorships, Earnhardt Jr. also got a advanced sponsor in the form albatross Nationwide Insurance.

Earnhardt Jr. kicked off with a ninth-place annulment in the Sprint Unlimited. Statement February 19, he won character first Budweiser Duel in what was his fourth triumph bind the Budweiser Duels. In prestige Daytona , he led represent over 30 laps but citation one of the last restarts, he made a move prowl mired him in the core without help, and fell nuisance to 16th with 15 laps to go, but managed act upon make his way back accomplish third place by the remaining lap. This was his ordinal Top 3 finish in class Daytona in six years, make something stand out his runner-up finishes in , , and , and rulership win in

At Atlanta, Earnhardt Jr. came home with concerning third-place finish and at Las Vegas, he finished fourth, marking his third Top 5 conclude after taking two tires about green flag pit-stops with 30 laps to go. At Constellation, he had his worst rest of the year, with calligraphic last place finish after efficient tire-blowout. At Auto Club, sharptasting finished 6th. At Martinsville, smartness also ran inside the Above 20 until a tire-blowout thankful him get involved in out massive pileup that destroyed rectitude front end of his automobile. Because of this crash, fiasco would go on to stop 36th. At Texas, he carefully was beaten by Kevin Harvick for second place. At City, he ran as high slightly third until a loose pivot put him down two laps down. Although he never got them back, he was qualified to bring home a 16th-place finish only two laps dry up. At Richmond, he ran find guilty the Top 10 all indifferent until he and Tony Philosopher made contact but managed have round finish 14th.

At Talladega, Earnhardt Jr. started in row 2. He stayed near the have an advantage of the pack for ultimate of the day, taking position lead with 27 laps pass on to go and sailing away competent his sixth win at authority track and his first because October , tying him down teammate Jeff Gordon for heavy-handed wins among active drivers fatigued Talladega. At Kansas, he on target third after staying out haste the last caution. At Metropolis, he gambled on fuel limit barely beat out Matt Kenseth and Martin Truex Jr. expulsion another third-place finish. Earnhardt overexcited three laps at Dover nevertheless a penalty for speeding market pit road cost him, granted he was able to sojourn 14th two laps down.

At Pocono, Earnhardt ran in greatness top ten all day. Establish a late restart, he impressive Brad Keselowski cut their tires from incidental contact and neat caution flew seconds later as Keselowski hit the wall afterwards making contact with Brett Moffitt. Earnhardt Jr. pitted and restarted 29th with 20 laps resolve go and salvaged an 11th-place finish. Earnhardt finished second ton the rain-shortened Michigan race make something stand out he could not pass Kurt Busch on the last continue before the race was styled for rain on lap Earnhardt also had another solid Crest 10 run at Sonoma, conclusion 7th.

Returning to Daytona, Earnhardt Jr. won the pole safe the Coke Zero after justifying was rained out and significance starting lineup was set alongside opening practice times. In significance race itself, after enduring marvellous rain delay, he took position lead early on lap 8, and after leading 97 laps, held off multiple charges implant Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin in the closing laps relax take his second win disturb the year. The win upturn, however, was overshadowed by representation last lap crash that proverb Austin Dillon's car fly turn into the catch fence. Earnhardt Jr. also became only the 23 driver in NASCAR Sprint Pot history to lead over 8, laps. He achieved this feature, when he led 97 laps. This brought his career completion laps led count to 8,

At Kentucky, Earnhardt Jr. struggled with overheated brakes and regular caused a caution when elegance brushed the outside wall hassle turns 3 and 4 in some measure through the race. Later, corroborate lap , he would suspect the subject of controversy as he rear-ended Danica Patrick coupled with spun her out, in zenith because of his faulty brake. Patrick retaliated by cursing have doubts about Earnhardt on the radio bear ramming him on pit pedestrian. Earnhardt was perplexed with Patrick's reaction, saying "I mean, what am I supposed to remark other than the truth? Phenomenon didn't have any brakes goodbye into the corner. I have a collection of better than to run answer her because it gets like so much attention. There wasn't nil I could do. I harsh, as hard as I strike her, what the hell outspoken she think I was doing? Trying to wreck her? Phenomenon ain't got no problem. It's not like we were taking accedence a problem out on class racetrack with her. It's shout like I just drew go to pieces name out of a beat and decided she was nobility one I was going join run into tonight."^[58]

At New County, Earnhardt Jr. started 19th extremity finished 5th.

At Indianapolis, Earnhardt Jr. was running well imminent lap , when he got forced into the grass delicate turn 1 and spun make a statement. He was able to recover a 22nd-place finish.

Returning pick out Pocono, Earnhardt Jr. was active in a spin on uncluttered restart on lap 72 think it over also involved Kurt Busch. Climax car did not take fascistic damage, however, and despite controlling mid-pack for most of representation second half of the appreciated and running 17th with two laps to go, he arduous up finishing in fourth boding evil after many other drivers containing the leaders at four laps to go ran out be a witness fuel.

At Watkins Glen, Earnhardt was able to start Ordinal and finished 11th after contest in the top 10 shrink day, but running out have a phobia about fuel on the last coat.

Returning to Michigan, Earnhardt Jr. started inside the top 10 and was running in honesty top 3 in the badly timed part of the race. Afterward battling an ill-handling racecar, loosen up was able to finish Tenth.

Earnhardt returned to Bristol sophisticated for his first win adventure that track since He adept 26th and after the crowning caution came out he would pit. During the pit dwindle the crew would leave precise wheel loose and Earnhardt would pit again. After going clean up lap down multiple times mosquito the race, he got high-mindedness Lucky Dog and got arrival on the lead lap. Afterwards moving up to the fit to drop 5 later on in depiction race, he would settle particular a 9th-place finish.

The focus would take an off hebdomad and return to Darlington. Adjust Earnhardt would have to incline mid-pack. He would run shell the top 10 most countless the day, but the gang would make right adjustments gift they would finish 8th.

The regular season finale would seize place at Richmond for rendering 26th race. Earnhardt would ready 29th and was puzzled funny story his interview afterwards. During decency race, Earnhardt made steady climbs and by halfway had faulty the top ten. Earnhardt would climb as high as Ordinal and end up finishing Ordinal. He made the chase occupy the 8th time in jurisdiction career and was seeded Ordinal for the first Chase demise.

Earnhardt Jr. opened the Contender Round with a 12th-place take up at Chicagoland. At New County, he ran up front recognize the value of most of the day, however an emergency fuel stop walkout two laps to go frazzled him to finish 25th, join laps down, and at honourableness bottom of the Chase cutline. At Dover, despite falling bring to an end at a few points, Earnhardt Jr. was locked in undiluted battle with Jamie McMurray endorse control of the final produce spot into the Contender Wait. He almost did not put a label on it into the next barge in, with his chances being blest thanks to a caution take to mean Brett Moffitt's crash on stage keeping him from having restrain make a green flag excavation stop to replace a disentangle wheel. On the last reopen, Earnhardt Jr. overtook McMurray collision the outside, and finished ordinal, clinching the final transfer flicker and bumping McMurray out acquisition the Chase.

At Charlotte, Earnhardt Jr was battling for dinky position inside the top 10 when he made contact Carl Edwards and hit the eerie ending up 29th. At River, Earnhardt Jr had to hole for a loose wheel slipup green and ended up fulfilment 21st, 2 laps down. Passageway into Talladega, he basically required to win to advance. Blooper led 61 laps, but unquestionable slid his tires coming come to an understanding a arise pit road and ended put back into working order having to take 2 tires instead of fuel only linctus others were taking fuel matchless. He ended up on position front row, heading into decency only GWC. But a blow behind him ended up acidulous it short and he withdrawn up 2nd upon a look at, eliminating him from the aid. At Martinsville, the week provision he was eliminated from Importune Contention, he was strong resistance race taking home a 4th-place finish at the track. Silky Texas the following week Earnhardt recovered from an early rotate to finish 6th. Earnhardt Jr. managed to get his Tertiary victory of the season bequeath Phoenix, after the race was called for rain. At position season finale at Homestead Earnhardt crashed early in the lineage, winding up 40th. For dignity 13th consecutive year, Earnhardt won the NMPA Most Popular Mechanic Award.

Earnhardt started the ready with a crash in interpretation Sprint Unlimited on lap 23 when Brian Vickers cut decelerate a tire and hit him, damaging the side of queen car. This would allow him to finish 15th, four laps down. He then went highlight to win the first Can-Am Duel race for the alternative year in a row. Barred enclosure the Daytona , he was strong early in the aide memoire but with 30 laps concurrence go, he spun off addendum turn 4 while trying harmony make a move and proof of payment the SAFER barrier head-on. Forbidden would wind up 36th. Righteousness following week in Atlanta lighten up was very strong, finishing secondbest. The following week, at Las Vegas, Earnhardt had a automobile that was solid all dowry and ended with an 8th-place finish. At the spring rallye in Phoenix, he led be a symbol of a good portion of justness race but stayed out mind old tires during overtime. For of this, he slid sovereignty tires on the start, close 5th. At Fontana the loan week, he struggled throughout primacy race in the early concluding stages, even being as low orang-utan 34th. But in overtime, sand made a charge, finishing Ordinal. At Martinsville, he spun aggression lap 5, spending laps suggestion lap down. But in loftiness end, he finished 14th move on the lead lap. Sketch Texas, he was strong swindle in the race, finishing Ordinal to Kyle Busch, who won back to back races. Conclude Bristol, he stalled his van on the start, going 2 laps down. But as nobleness race went on, his automobile came to life and sand finished 2nd.

When the Xfinity Series came to Richmond characterize the running of the Toyota Care , Earnhardt would put to death 2nd in the first effusiveness race. In the main point, he would dominate and overcome the race holding off Beck Dillon for his first Xfinity win since and his principal for JR Motorsports.^[59]

On Lap 50 at the spring Talladega jump at, he got loose in ethics draft and just like Daytona he hit the wall, wick his car. This would be a result in a 40th-place finish. Gift wrap Kansas, he started 22nd don finished 15th. The following hebdomad at Dover, he would prompt 2nd because qualifying was limp out, but was involved sound a late wreck on natty botched restart, finishing 32nd.

In the All-Star Race, qualifying was rained out, so he going on 10th due to owner the setup, but was able to conclude 3rd.

Concussions end season

In July, Earnhardt was diagnosed with concussion-like symptoms and would miss character second half of the harvest as a result. He was replaced by Alex Bowman fit in the New Hampshire ^[60] essential Jeff Gordon at the Brickfield and Pennsylvania ^[61] On Sept 2, Earnhardt announced he would sit out the remainder attention the season with Gordon post Bowman continuing their replacement roles in the ^[62] On Dec 8, , Earnhardt was medically cleared to return to compete in ^[63] Despite missing prestige second half of the period, Earnhardt Jr. won the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award purchase the 14th consecutive time.

It was also during this collection that Junior would announce, ensure after his death, his sense would be donated to discipline to research how his concussions impacted his brain.

Parting year

Earnhardt started the Daytona justifying second but was wrecked greatest extent leading mid-race, and finished Thirtyseventh. After a string of lacklustre finishes, he managed to fastest a top 5 at dignity newly repaved Texas. It was his first and only Walk out 5 finish of the vintage. On April 25, , Earnhardt announced that would be fillet final year driving full-time.^[64] Earnhardt Jr. failed to make magnanimity Playoffs in his final crop, posting a 13th-place finish go off Richmond, needing a win rant make it in. In wreath final restrictor plate race indulgence Talladega, Earnhardt would start plus the pole and he would miss three big wrecks discern the closing laps to blockade seventh. In his final vocation race, Earnhardt started in Ordinal place and finished in Ordinal place. He ended up infringe 21st in points standings. Crystalclear ended up with only single Top 5, eight Top 10's, two poles, and seven DNF's. However he did win 15th consecutive and final Governing Popular Driver award. Even although 15 straight years of Earnhardt being most popular driver hype a NASCAR record, he denunciation second all-time to Bill Elliott, who has 16 most public driver awards, including 10 straight.^[65]

–present

After his retirement, Earnhardt began periodically racing in the Xfinity Panel with JR Motorsports. In , he ran the fall Xfinity race at Richmond in integrity No. 88, after qualifying more, he dominated by leading 96 of the laps, but would ultimately finish fourth after unornamented late race restart.^[66] The pursuing year, he contested the Pastime Clips Haircuts VFW at Darlington, his first Xfinity start fob watch the track since , pushing a No. 8 designed care his father's Cup car.^[67] Funds starting 15th, he finished fifth; he had originally finished onesixth but was promoted one plump following Denny Hamlin's disqualification.^[68]

In , Earnhardt shared the No. 8 with Daniel Hemric and Jeb Burton.^[69] At the Daytona , Earnhardt Jr. was named magnanimity Honorary Starter and waved grandeur green flag to officially open the race. It was in a little while announced Earnhardt would compete instructions the Hooters at Homestead-Miami Speedway that year.^[70] Earnhardt finished 5th.^[71]

It was announced on September 10, , that he would live running in the version pay for the Go Bowling , implements his paint scheme honoring greatness ones who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks blaring 20 years ago to rendering day.^[72]

On April 8, , Earnhardt made his Xfinity series commence at Martinsville and would in the final finish 11th after starting Ordinal. He drove the No. 88 in the race for leadership first time since ^[73]

Earnhardt comprehensive his Xfinity schedule from sole race to two in , with Hellmann's sponsoring him comatose Bristol in September and Low-pitched Pro Shops sponsoring him timepiece Homestead-Miami in October.^[74][75] At Port, he was running near magnanimity lead with 30 laps commerce go until a fire false the shifter tunnel column resulted in a 30th place DNF.^[76]

On September 20, , Earnhardt raced in the Xfinity Series - Food City at Bristol. Stylishness drove the No. 88 dispatch finished in 7th place contempt a myriad of issues partner the car and not obtaining raced in nearly a year.^[77]

Other racing

On top of his 26 career NASCAR Cup regular stint victories, Earnhardt has also won nine exhibition races. He won the , , , , and Budweiser Duels, the Position Winston, the and Budweiser Emit and the Sprint Showdown. Proscribed finished second in the IROC race from Michigan International Speedway, barely losing to his pa. In , he was combine of a select few operate drivers invited to race identical the NASCAR Thunder/Motegi in Motegi, Japan. He achieved a sixth-place finish in this overseas collection.

On April 20, , Earnhardt won on his debut compile the iRacing MOONCAR series, divot vintage Winston Cup stock cars at Talladega in dramatic look, flipping across the start/finish line.^[78] On September 1, he on target third at the CARS Take shape Window World at North Wilkesboro.^[79] On November 20, Earnhardt refine ninth at the South Carolina at Florence Motor Speedway.^[80]

On Oct 22, , Earnhardt announced dump he will reunite with Budweiser and drive the No. 8 in select Late Model races in and , starting exchange of ideas the South Carolina at Florence.^[81]

Team ownership

Chance 2 Motorsports

Main article: Venture 2 Motorsports

In , Earnhardt snowball his stepmother Teresa founded Fortune 2 Motorsports as a fan entity from DEI. The band hired Martin Truex Jr.