Dale Earnhardt Jr. crossed the finish line 14th in Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, qualifying his way into the race by receiving the Sprint Fan Vote after finishing sixth in the preliminary Showdown.
The All-Star event featured NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winners from the 2010-2011 seasons, winners of the All-Star race from the past 10 seasons, the top two finishers from the Sprint Showdown qualifying race and the winner of the Sprint All-Star Fan Vote.
Earnhardt lined up his orange, red and white Chevrolet 21st based on the Sprint Fan Vote’s starting position.
Earnhardt used the opening laps of the initial 50-lap segment to provide feedback on the handling of his No. 88 Chevrolet.
He was running 19th on Lap 25 when the field made its way down pit road for the mandatory green-flag pit stop, and Earnhardt pulled in for four fresh tires and fuel.
The team maintained the 19th position exiting pit road.
The first segment concluded on Lap 50, and Earnhardt was running 19th when the field had the option to come down pit road under the caution period, and crew chief Steve Letarte called his driver down for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment.
Earnhardt lined up 19th for the start of the ensuing 20-lap segment.
Earnhardt climbed to the 15th position in the second segment, but he continued to struggle with the handling and was running 15th at the conclusion of the second segment on Lap 70 when Letarte radioed Earnhardt to bring the No. 88 Chevy down pit road for an optional pit stop under caution.
Seven other cars made their way down pit road, and Earnhardt gained one position exiting the pits, lining up 14th for the third segment.
During the third segment, Earnhardt ran as high as 10th, but slipped to 18th by the conclusion of the 20-lap run on Lap 90.
Before the field took the green flag for the final 10-lap showdown, the teams were required to do a mandatory four-tire stop.
Earnhardt maintained the 18th position for the start of the final segment, and picked up four positions to cross the finish line 14th.