On Kentucky, Earnhardt obtained the fresh new rod and set a unique track being qualified speed number which have lap duration of moments and a speeds out-of miles per hour ( km/h)
The next week in the Race All the-Star Battle, Earnhardt battled a rigid approaching vehicles much of you to nights before completing seventh. Next day towards Coca-Soda 600, Earnhardt forgotten an engine and you may finished 39th, providing your his first DNF while the 2011. At Quicken Money 400, Earnhardt led 23 laps but suffered a system incapacity, and complete 37th with what try a reduced point of seasons into Hendrick Motorsports groups general (Kasey Kahne and you can Jeff Gordon each other got DNFs because of accidents, and you may Jimmie Johnson cut an effective tire having 5 laps going).[35] After the reduced from Michigan, Earnhardt had a 12th-lay wind up on Sonoma.
From inside the race, Earnhardt would head 80 laps, however, carry out end 2nd so you’re able to Jimmie Johnson
[36] Even if he become with the rod, he missing the lead so you’re able to Carl Edwards very early. However, whenever you are Earnhardt are leading after the resume from a competition warning (on account of a rain decelerate), Denny Hamlin clipped a tire and the carcass emerged brand new tune https://sugardaddydates.org/sugar-daddies-usa/fl/orlando/ and you may was hit by the Earnhardt’s splitter and also by Jimmie Johnson’s vehicle, leading to significant ruin. Earnhardt had to create several charge from the industry to rescue a twelfth-lay become. Then he got a keen 8th-place end up within Coke Zero 400. The guy, Johnson, and you may Ryan Newman were the only three people so you can brush the latest Top 10 in both Daytona events.
Earnhardt after that battled a troubled vehicle during the The fresh new Hampshire, where the guy accomplished 14th. Adopting the finally regarding month, the guy found specific texture which have concludes regarding 6th at Indianapolis and you will 5th on Pocono, while stressed reduce tires and vibrations in the a course of one or two days.
The No. 88 people following got a couple of crappy weeks, that have good 30th-put find yourself at the Watkins Glen due to a belated competition crash which have Kasey Kahne. The following few days, Earnhardt blew a right front tire when you find yourself running on the Ideal 10. The destruction are sufficient which he complete twenty-six laps off, inside the 36th put. So it evaporated his Pursue cushion, but with concludes away from tenth at Bristol and eighth on Atlanta, he was in a position to reconstruct so it pillow. During the Richmond, the final competition of the typical year, Earnhardt just needed to wind up 32nd or best to make Chase. A beneficial 13th-lay wind up did this, and he inserted the brand new Chase seeded in ninth set. This is the first occasion within the Earnhardt’s field he got produced about three upright Chase looks. In the first Pursue battle during the Chicagoland Speedway, Earnhardt suffered a system inability, setting him last in Chase race. The guy bounced back within The brand new Hampshire Motor Speedway, best 17 laps and you can finishing 6th. The outcome are sufficient to move Earnhardt up to 11th inside the Chase into the Race Cup standings which have eight events remaining regarding year.
From the Dover, Earnhardt won their next rod of the year, setting a unique being qualified rate list regarding miles per hour. This is initially while the 2002 that he got submitted one or more rod through the a month. Another times at Ohio, he finished 8th. To make his 500th Cup initiate at the Charlotte, Earnhardt led 19 laps early, but completed fifteenth if you are struggling a rigorous battle auto. Another day at the Talladega, Earnhardt added 38 laps and you can involved for a push off Austin Dillon so you’re able to overtake Jamie McMurray on past lap when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. tapped Dillon, causing you to rider so you’re able to spin aside right after which rating strike of the Casey Mears, making Earnhardt having a second-place finish. Next week at the Martinville, Earnhardt earned a keen 8th-set end up. Another day from the Tx, he previously a very good night, completing second to Johnson into the third amount of time in the season (immediately after Daytona and you can Dover). The second few days on Phoenix, Earnhardt been when you are compelled to pit which have a loose wheel very early, getting your a great lap down. not, an alert anticipate your to use the free ticket to track down right back with the direct lap and you may salvage a fourth-lay end.