Add another big name to the back of the field for Sunday’s Auto Club 400.
After discovering a cut right-front tire on his No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Sunday morning, Earnhardt, per the NASCAR rulebook, will start in the rear of the 400-miler from Auto Club Speedway.
Making his 600th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup start, Earnhardt will join Hendrick teammate Jimmie Johnson and Joey Logano from the back of the grid.
The 42-year-old says the team will only be able to change that one tire, leaving him with one sticker [fresh] tire and three used tires for the start of the event.
Earnhardt has finished better than 12th in the last six Auto Club races with a best finish of second in 2013.
My RF tire has a cut in it. @GoodyearRacing suggests we replace and start last. pic.twitter.com/d1AUZR9e5p
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) March 26, 2017
About the author
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.
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