Dale Earnhardt Jr. led 40 laps and battled Carl Edwards early in the race. Credit: Autostock

Junior misses weekend sweep but leaves happy

Earnhardt Jr. says he was mindful of meeting with NASCAR

BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. began Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Michigan International Speedway with a lecture from NASCAR for wrecking Carl Edwards to win Saturday's Busch Series race and a chorus of boos from the crowd.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said his meeting with NASCAR made a difference in his driving style. Credit: Autostock

GFS Marketplace 400 Results Pos. Driver Make 1. Matt Kenseth Ford 2. Jeff Gordon Chevy 3. Tony Stewart Chevy 4. Kasey Kahne Dodge 5. Mark Martin Ford 6. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevy 7. Greg Biffle Ford 8. Reed Sorenson Dodge 9. Denny Hamlin Chevy 10. Elliott Sadler Dodge • Complete results, click here • Driver standings, click here Victory LaneMatt Kenseth celebrates his third win of the NNC season Top finishersGordon, Stewart, Johnson talk about the action at Michigan Final LapsMatt Kenseth cruises to the checkered flag at Michigan Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

He ended it with a handshake and thanks from Mark Martin for not wrecking him on the last lap while the two raced for fifth.

But most important to Earnhardt was keeping pace with Kasey Kahne, the only driver with a realistic chance to knock him out of the Chase for the Nextel Cup that will be set after the next three races.

The sixth-place finish left Earnhardt 49 points ahead of Kahne, who finished fourth but made up only five points.

Had it not been for a lugnut problem during a Lap 132 pitstop -- Earnhardt dropped from second to 19th after leading 40 laps to that point -- he might have swept the weekend.

"We had a great car and it was real fast through three-quarters of the race ... I thought the best car," Earnhardt said. "It's [still] a decent points day for us.

"We knew Kasey was the guy right behind us in points, and he won here earlier this year, so we knew this was a place where he was going to be really good. He was, but we hung close and managed to maintain our margin. That's a positive."

Earnhardt made up about nine spots over the final 20 laps, never losing sight of Kahne. It ended an eventful weekend in which NASCAR's most popular driver was booed while celebrating Saturday's Busch win and again during Sunday's pre-race introductions.

In between, he met with NASCAR president Mike Helton and Edwards to make sure there were no repercussions from Saturday.

Earnhardt spun Edwards out in the Busch race to take the lead on a green-white-checkered restart, and Edwards retaliated by running into Earnhardt on the ensuing caution lap.

Edwards, who is expected to receive a hefty fine from NASCAR, then went to Victory Lane and engaged in a profanity-laced exchange with Earnhardt.

Earnhardt in turn was booed while hoisting the trophy.

"Carl Edwards ain't the first person I've had run-ins with," Earnhardt said. "We've had some other situations where I didn't represent my sponsor and myself very well, and the fans let me know it."

Dale Earnhardt Jr. nearly pulled off the double this weekend at Michigan. Credit: Autostock

SATURDAY'S BUMP-N-RUN Dale Earnhardt Jr. bumped Carl Edwards from the lead with two laps remaining and went on to win the Carfax 250 on Saturday at Michigan amid loud boos from the upset crowd.  •   Complete story, click here Victory LaneEarnhardt Jr. wins in controversial fashion at Michigan Final lapsContact between Dale Jr. and Edwards sparks controversy at MIS Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

Jack Roush, who owns Edwards' No. 99 Ford, was surprised by the fan reaction.

"I thought the support and adulation for Junior was above all," he said. "That may not be the case."

Earnhardt and Edwards appeared friendly as they left the drivers' meeting to further discuss their differences. Earnhardt said the talk with NASCAR definitely had an impact on the way the two battled for the lead early on Sunday.

"I'm sure it helped," Earnhardt said. "Those guys have a great vantage point and a lot of wisdom. It's good to listen to those guys. Carl is a good guy, a good driver. We all lose our temper. I've done some stupid stuff. I learned a lesson [Saturday]. We all did.''

Ironically, the new front-tire changer from Earnhardt's team was just released from Edwards' team last week.

"They were kind of mad at him because he wouldn't give his hard card back [Sunday]," crew chief Tony Eury Jr. said with a laugh. "They were like, 'Get out of the truck. You can't be here with the Budweiser stuff on.'"

But it wasn't the front-tire changer that cost Earnhardt a possible win. It was the rear changer that had problems with a lugnut. He eventually removed it with his hand, but the delay cost Earnhardt 17 positions.

"Usually you don't do that with experience, but in the heat of the moment sometimes that happens," Eury Jr. said. "These guys haven't been in a pressure situation a lot, but I think they'll be great."

Earnhardt sounded angry at the time yelling, "We're in big trouble now," over his car radio.

Eury Jr. did his best to calm his driver.

"You've got the best car here," he told Earnhardt. "You just worry about going forward and we'll worry about the rest of it."

Earnhardt steadily made his way through the field, particularly over the final laps when he made up three key spots.

Were Martin, fourth in points, not fighting for his points survival he may have made up another one.

"I don't like running high, but I knew if I was going to stay in front of him I had to make him pass at the bottom," Martin said.

As the two walked away, Martin thanked Earnhardt again for racing him clean to end a memorable weekend for the son of the seven-time Cup champion.

"Whoever gets in [the Chase] gets in," said Earnhardt, who four races ago was out of the top 10 after consecutive last-place finishes. "Life goes on. But we're trying about as hard as we can try."