Dale Jr. Outside Looking In!

 

Dale Jr. on outside of the top 10
Lee Spencer - Sporting News NASCAR News Wire

DAVIDSON, N.C. -- Don't feel too sorry for Dale Earnhardt Jr. - not yet.

This week his social calendar is chock-full with events that most single 30-somethings could only dream about. There's the Budweiser appearance in Las Vegas, the Hooter's contest he's judging and the "Talladega Nights" premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre tomorrow night in Hollywood. Not a bad gig if you can get it.

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Then there's his full-time job -- as Driver 8. That hasn't been going so well lately. Before New Hampshire, Earnhardt was third in points, quite a departure from a year ago when he had just one win to his credit and a revolving door for crew chiefs. Then came engine failure number one and ... zap! In an instant NASCAR's favorite son plummeted to seventh in points, 361 markers out of first.

But the problems didn't stop there. At Pocono, Earnhardt was tapped from behind by Dave Blaney and went slam-bang into the Long Pond straightaway wall. The brew crew repaired the No. 8 Chevrolet and the driver returned to the track only to have the engine crank break 19 laps into his second run. Earnhardt was scored "DNF by accident" when for a second consecutive week -- the third time this season -- his engine puked. The points reflected the engine failure. more on Dale Jr. from the Sporting News