Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrecks during Charlotte practice
CONCORD, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s final race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway opened with a bang – unfortunately for him.
Earnhardt whacked the fourth-turn wall in the first round of practice Friday afternoon for Sunday’s Bank of America 500, forcing the Hendrick Motorsports team to a backup car.
“I got into this black stuff (in the upper groove), and it just took off into the fence,” said Earnhardt, who was checked and released from the infield care center.
“I think the car was pretty good, but had to pull a backup out. It should be fine though. It’s a good thing that it happened early, and we will get to practice tomorrow and get to work on it.”
Earnhardt, who is in his final full-time season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, returned in February after missing the final 18 races last year because of concussions. This is his hometown finale.
Later in Friday's practice, two drivers in NASCAR's playoff also had trouble. Brad Keselowski brushed the wall, causing minor damage to his Ford, and Kyle Busch also hit the wall. Busch was called to the NASCAR hauler after speeding on pit road.
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Earnhardt said he was concerned about the PJ1 substance the speedway has applied to portions of the track with the goal of increasing grip and improving competition. The substance has been used with relative success at other tracks, but Earnhardt said it created issues Friday.
“The stuff they sprayed down – it’s had a bad reaction to the sun or something that’s made it really slick,” Earnhardt said. “We saw at Bristol (Motor Speedway) that it takes some heat and activity to work it in and create grip, but we’ve never seen it like this.
“We just have to be real careful until that stuff gets activated some way or another. I’m real concerned because this is a race I was excited about. I think this track will do well in the heat, but now I’m concerned. Hopefully, it will activate and we don’t have to worry about our cars crashing.”
Kyle Larson led the practice session with a speed of 192.082 mph.
Practices are scheduled at CMS at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Sunday's race is the first in the playoffs' second round, in which 12 drivers are vying for eight slots in round three.
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