Summary:
Earnhardt finishes 13th in New Hampshire Sept. 19
Dale Earnhardt started Sunday's Dura-Lube 300 from
16th. He ran close to 10th position during most of the race.
 When Todd Bodine wrecked on
lap 170, Dale pitted for two tires during the caution and came back onto the track in 3rd.
When the race went back to green, Dale passed Rusty Wallace for 2nd. But he couldn't stay
there. Dale faded back to tenth again as his tires began to wear.
The chassis on Dale's car was loose all day. Earnhardt and the crew tried to make
adjustments but the loose condition was hard to overcome.
 Earnhardt's car suffered some
damage to the hood and front end in the race. There were several accidents throughout the
day on the mile-long track. Pictured to the right, Earnhardt gets caught up behind Mike
Skinner and Mark Martin. The wreck was triggered when cars checked up in front of Mike
Skinner. Skinner couldn't slow down, and got into the back of Andretti's car. Andretti
spun and the wreck pursued.
Earnhardt was also penalized for speeding on pit road during the race. NASCAR sent him to
the end of the longest line.
Towards the end of the race Dale experienced problems with his car battery. Earnhardt
pitted to have the battery changed and took left side tires. During caution with 10 laps
to go, Dale pitted for right side tires. When the race went back green, Dale was able to
pass some cars because he had the fresh tires. If not for another caution with 3 laps to
go, Dale might have had a chance to gain a few more positions before the checkered flag.
Earnhardt finished the day 13th, but he was still somewhat satisfied with the car's
performance.
"We had a pretty good car today," Earnhardt said. "It's the same car we had
at Richmond, and I think it's really going to be a good one when we get a chance to work
on it a little bit more. We were a little loose today, but we hung in there. We dropped
back at the end because we lost the battery. I'm not sure what was wrong with it, but
that's the way it goes."
Earnhardt will start Dura-Lube 300 from 16th
Sept. 18
Dale Earnhardt qualified 16th on Saturday during the
first and only round of qualifying for the Dura-Lube 300 in New Hampshire. Rain from
Hurricane Floyd washed out Friday's practice and Bud Pole Qualifying. Practice and the one
session of qualifying have taken place so far today. The weather has improved since
Friday, with sunshine and temperatures in the low 70s at the track.
"There was some more there," Earnhardt said
after qualifying. "I was just real loose in the center of the corner. I could have
run a faster lap, but I bobbled in the middle of (Turn) 3 and 4. It's a little cool here
and I needed some heat in the tires. The car is really good. I think we've got a great
race car. It's the same car we had at Richmond last week. The qualifying run might be a
little better this week."
The Dura-Lube 300 is Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
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