On lap 181 of Sunday’s CampingWorld.com 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. blew a right-rear tire and backed into the turn 2 wall.
It came following a similar incident with Sam Hornish Jr. in the very same spot on the track earlier in the race when the No. 9 Ford also lost a right-rear tire.
“Really, really loose today,” Earnhardt told FOX walking away from his car on pit road. “We’ll try to get it fixed up and get back out there.”
After qualifying in the 16th spot, Earnhardt took the lap 125 restart from the rear of the field after speeding entering pit road. Struggling to enter the top 20, Earnhardt would have his hard accident that would bring his run of three consecutive top fives to start 2015 come to an end.
Growing up in Easton, Pa., Zach Catanzareti has grown his auto racing interest from fandom to professional. Joining Frontstretch in 2015, Zach enjoys nothing more than being at the track, having covered his first half-season of 18 races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2017. With experience behind the wheel, behind the camera and in the media center, he thrives on being an all-around reporter.