Photo Credit: Steven Muncie/OnPItRoad.com
Continuing what has been a lackluster farewell season for the Dale Earnhardt Jr, the No. 88 car was found to have two unsecured lugnuts in post-race inspection at Darlington Raceway on Sunday.
Competing in what will be his final Southern 500 (at least as a full-time driver), Earnhardt finished 22nd in his Hendrick Motorsports/Nationwide Chevrolet. The final season has not been what the sport’s most popular driver had hoped for.
Earnhardt currently sits 22nd in the points standings with one race remaining in the regular season. His only hope of making the playoffs and keeping his championship hopes alive, is to win next week at Richmond.
Per the NASCAR Rule Book, the infraction would result in a $20,000 fine and a one race suspension for crew chief, Greg Ives. Losing one’s crew chief in the final regular season race when a win is a must, makes difficult task even more challenging.
