AT HOMESTEAD: In four NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has recorded one top-five finish, two top-10s and led a total of 125 laps. He has an average start of 13.2 and an average finish of 16th. Earnhardt, driver of the No. 5 National Guard Chevrolet, scored a seventh-place result during his last Nationwide Series outing at Homestead in November 2006.
IN THE NATIONWIDE SERIES: In 105 career starts in the Nationwide Series, Earnhardt has recorded 22 wins, 49 top-five finishes, 67 top-10s and nine pole positions. He claimed the series championship in 1998 and 1999 and has raced in at least one event in 12 of the past 13 Nationwide Series seasons (none in 2000). He has maintained an average start of 11.4 and an average finish of 11.5.
THIS SEASON: Earnhardt will make his ninth 2008 Nationwide Series start this weekend. In his eight starts thus far, he has recorded three top-five finishes, six top-10s and led 32 laps. He has averaged a starting spot of 10.9 and a finish of 9.4. Saturday’s Nationwide Series event will mark his fourth time this season piloting the No. 5 Chevy with the National Guard as sponsor.
CHASSIS CHOICE: Crew chief Brian Campe has chosen JR Motorsports Chassis No. 495 for Saturday’s race at Homestead. Jimmie Johnson drove the car three times this season—to a 10th-place finish at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May, a 17th-place finish at Auto Club Speedway in August and a 33rd-place finish at Lowe’s in October. In June, rookie Landon Cassill drove No. 495 to a ninth-place result at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR LEADER: Cassill, 19, concluded his 19-race Nationwide Series season on a high note, finishing sixth last weekend at Phoenix International Raceway and taking the lead in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings. Cassill, who recorded five top-10 finishes, nine top-15s and one pole position in 2008, sits six points ahead of Bryan Clauson.
QUOTES
DALE EARNHARDT JR., DRIVER OF THE NO. 5 NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET (ON JR MOTORSPORTS PARTNERING WITH HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS THIS SEASON.): “That merger certainly helped us be more successful. It’s fun for me because I have learned a lot as a businessman. There’s a lot for me to learn, and there’s a whole lot of room for me to grow there. It’s an opportunity for me to do that. It makes me feel more comfortable in my job (as owner of JR Motorsports) here with Rick (Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and co-owner of JR Motorsports). Having that relationship in the Nationwide Series with him (Hendrick) makes me feel more a part of everything. Hopefully we can maintain performance and keep it successful and keep it worthwhile, because we have a lot of family working there. I think that’s important to Rick, too.”
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