Joe Nemechek announced today that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has agreed to take over driving duties for him in the CarQuest Auto Parts 300 to be held at Lowe’s Motor Speedway this Saturday. Nemechek, who was injured in a Busch Series test at Dover Downs International Speedway on May 15th, said he and Crew Chief Brian Pattie came to a quick decision as to whom they wanted in the seat of the #87 Cellular One Chevy. For Earnhardt Jr., Saturday’s race will be his first Busch Series event since he stepped up to Winston Cup competition following the 1999 season. Heading back to his home track in his first attempt with a different team, Earnhardt Jr. says he’s intrigued by the opportunity. The prognosis for Nemechek, meanwhile, is race-to-race. Recovering from a broken right arm and broken right scapula, he will be relieved by Bobby Hamilton Jr. in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600. No further decisions have been made regarding future Winston Cup or Busch Series events.(NEMCO Motorsports PR)(5-23-2001)
