DAYTONA, Fla. - Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the National Guard-sponsored No. 88 NASCAR team finished second in Sunday's Daytona 500, the first race of Sprint Cup season competition this year.
"I am just disappointed to come that close and not win it," said Earnhardt, whose team were said to have taken full advantage of a new "green-white-checkered flag" rule, which powered the No. 88 to a spectacular finish on Valentine's Day.
That finish saw Earnhardt charge through the pack coming out of a caution period and move into the leader's rearview mirror for a half-lap battle to the checkered flag.
In the opening laps of the Great American Race, the Kannapolis, N.C., native held his ground inside the top five and moved into the lead. Earnhardt reported a loose-handling condition during that opening run, so crew chief Lance McGrew instructed the team to put on four fresh tires and make a chassis adjustment during a green-flag pit stop.
Earnhardt continued to race inside the top 15 before a third caution period. Earnhardt headed to pit road for four fresh tires and fuel. Earnhardt was blocked in the pits by another competitor and lost three spots on pit road because he had to get around the driver.
Earnhardt went back to green-flag racing in 18th position. The race was then halted to repair a hole in the track. After a 100-minute break, the field went back to racing, and Earnhardt struggled with the handling.
Repairs to the hole in the track's surface failed to hold and the red flag was displayed once again with Earnhardt running 13th. After a 45-minute delay, the field fired up their engines and prepared for a 32-lap showdown.
Earnhardt raced inside the top 20 during those closing laps until the caution flag was displayed again. McGrew made the strategic decision to bring his driver down pit road for right-side tires. Earnhardt went back to green-flag racing on Lap 198 running 17th.
Earnhardt picked up a position before a three-car accident occurred, setting up the green-white-checkered finish rule. Earnhardt moved from the 16th position to the 10th position in one lap before an accident occurred on the backstretch.
"But I'll tell you, we did the right thing by coming down and getting two tires," said Earnhardt. "The … National Guard Chevrolet was pretty good all day. I want to thank my team for working really hard. The engine shop did an awesome job."