Avondale, Ariz. – Dale Earnhardt Jr’s strong start to the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season came to an abrupt end on Sunday at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway in the CampingWorld.com 500.
Earnhardt was attempting to climb from a deep hole after speeding on pit road early in the race, but through his charge back towards the top-15, the right rear tire gave way sending the No. 88 Nationwide Insurance Chevrolet SS into the wall.
Earnhardt limped back to pit road, where he then climbed from his battered machine.
NASCAR’s most popular driver contributed the accident to the team’s handling as a loose condition hindered his climb back into the top-15 and ultimately to his 43rd place finish in the fourth race of the season.
“The car was really, really loose today and jut wore the right rear tire out, and blew the tire,” Earnhardt explained.
Goodyear contributed the tire failure to a melted bead on the right rear tire and lost air. The issue was initiated by high break heat. Sam Hornish Jr. had similar issues, resulting in a 40th place finish for the Richard Petty Motorsports driver.
Despite the crash, Earnhardt applauded Goodyear for bringing a different softer tire compound to the track this weekend.
“You can’t wear the tire out,” he said. “You have to get your car handling better.”
“It will be alright,” Earnhardt quipped.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver heads to Auto Club (Calf.) Speedway next weekend sixth in points, losing four spots after his worst performance since a 31st place effort at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway last October.
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