Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s career driving the red No. 8 Chevrolet came to an ignominious end.
Earnhardt was going too fast as he approached the pits for his first stop early in the race. He swerved right off the pit-road apron to slow down, then was hit from behind by Kyle Busch, spinning Earnhardt into the wall.
Then, on the restart, Earnhardt again was hit from behind, this time by Jeff Burton. That sent Earnhardt hard into the wall a second time and he finished 36th after repairs.
It was Earnhardt’s last race for Dale Earnhardt Inc., the team started by his late father, and he’s moving next year to Hendrick. Coincidentally, Busch - who finished 20th Sunday - was released by Hendrick to make room for Earnhardt. Jim Peltz, The Cincinnati Post.com
Dale Earnhardt Jr. only wants his helmets and a couple of driver suits when he cleans out his locker this week at Dale Earnhardt Inc.
In return, he won’t be taking any technical information or company secrets with him when he moves to Hendrick Motorsports next year.
Earnhardt said his departure will be emotional because he believes his father wouldn’t approve of the team’s direction.
“I will be sad for my father that things aren’t different,” Junior said. “I’m sad for him, not for me or anybody else. I’m just sad because his vision was different. He was such a great person and his visions were great and worthy and should be realized. That’ll be a shame.” Don Coble, JacksonVille.com
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