Dale Junior looks at the emptiness where his engine once rested. Credit: CIA Stock Photo

Junior drops in points after just second DNF

Earnhardt Jr. still positive after rare blown engine at Loudon

LOUDON, N.H. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. worked his way to third in the Nextel Cup points standings by avoiding trouble.

Lenox Industrial Tools 300 Unofficial Results Pos. Driver Make 1. Kyle Busch Chevy 2. Carl Edwards Ford 3. Greg Biffle Ford 4. Mark Martin Ford 5. Kevin Harvick Chevy 6. Denny Hamlin Chevy 7. Jeff Burton Chevy 8. Kasey Kahne Dodge 9. Jimmie Johnson Chevy 10. Scott Riggs Dodge • Complete results, click here • Unofficial standings, click here Engine failureDale Earnhardt Jr. sees his day end with engine failure Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

He couldn't avoid what happened on Lap 135 of Sunday's race at New Hampshire International Raceway.

His engine blew.

"It's a shame" Earnhardt said. "We haven't had any engine failures for a long time. That's only the second or third motor I've ever blown with DEI. It was some kind of freak deal, man."

Earnhardt, who had engine problems at Talladega earlier in the year, entered the day trailing only Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth in points.

His season-worst last-place finish dropped him four spots to seventh in the standings with seven races left before the Chase to the Nextel Cup is set.

"Hopefully, we will keep at it, man," said Earnhardt, who failed to make NASCAR's playoff a year ago. "We have got a Chase to make, so everybody will just stay focused and we will get right through this and go on."