Jayski's NASCAR Archives

Earnhardt Jr. loses engine in first practice on Wednesday:

#88- Dale Earnhardt Jr. comments following engine failure during practice for the Budweiser Duel at Daytona Qualifying Races: Q) WHAT HAPPENED? Earnhardt Jr: ‘We broke a motor, its as simple as that. Theyll figure out what happen. Im sure there is some logical explanation as to what happened, but, well just put a new one in and start at the back of the Qualifier tomorrow, and race up through there.” Q) WILL YOU GO TO BED A LITTLE WORRIED TONIGHT? Earnhardt Jr: ‘No, its just part of racing.” Q) IS THIS ANY SORT OF A SETBACK? Earnhardt Jr: ‘Not really. Everything is good. We were just making some single car runs by ourselves. Everything seemed like it was working. Just trying to find a little more speed, and we found a few things that seemed to help the car. Well try to get out in this next practice, and see what else we can learn, but everything should be fine.” Q) DID YOU HAVE ANY WARNING THAT IT WAS GOING? Earnhardt Jr: ‘No.” (Team Chevy)