Towards the , Earnhardt claimed the most common Driver Honor towards the 11th consecutive year, breaking Costs Elliott’s listing, whom scored 10 straight prizes away from 1991 in order to 2000.
From the Tx, he crashed for the Lap 13 and you may trapped ablaze
This new Zero. 88 party produced headlines even before the start of the season. Into the regular Daytona Winter sample inside January, it was established one to crew head Steve Letarte perform step down regarding gap container after the year in order to become a complete-day person in the fresh following NASCAR into the NBC aired class, alongside Jeff Burton and you will Rick Allen. Earnhardt and you will Letarte reassured that this circulate would not meddle regarding him or her profitable races and you can competing to your tournament at the season’s prevent.
In the Daytona five-hundred, Earnhardt started 9th. Their vehicle hung around mid-package for the majority of of one’s very first quarter of your own competition. Once a half dozen-hr and you can 22-second red flag, Earnhardt’s automobile appeared live, taking the direct having 70 laps kept. He provided 54 of last 70 laps and then he kept from Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski in order to profit his 2nd Daytona five-hundred, simply ten years once his first you to. Next day from the Phoenix, Earnhardt continued their energy, completing second so you can Kevin Harvick. At the Las vegas, Earnhardt gambled on the power on left 40 laps, but he ran off gas when you’re leading to the last lap, doing 2nd in order to ultimate competition winner Brad Keselowski. At Bristol, he was solid early, together with the opportunity to become the very first rider while the Richard Petty first off a season having five straight Most readily useful 2 concludes, up until tire difficulties pushed him to make a keen unscheduled end, making him to end 24th, four laps down.
At Vehicle Club Speedway, Earnhardt started fifteenth. But not, to the lap 44, their vehicle missing the right front side tire and you will hit the external wall surface therefore dos, offering an alert, and also make him among the victims away from tire downfalls that beset the competition. Immediately following getting fixed and you may losing toward straight back of your head lap, Earnhardt generated multiple charge from profession to rescue a 12th-lay become, keeping him in the next added this new issues. The following day at Martinsville, Earnhardt struggled within the Best 5 all round the day, leading 25 laps, and you will done third, offering him their last Finest step 3 wind up of the year, and you may regained new affairs direct. The guy completed history and you can dropped 5 positions during the activities and you will decrease to help you 29 facts at the rear of the brand new issues commander Jeff Gordon. Next times during the Darlington, Earnhardt raced one of the Greatest 5 for use the weblink hours, and you will are leading toward an eco-friendly-white-checkered find yourself, just before completing next so you’re able to Kevin Harvick.
At the Richmond, after the Easter out-of times, Earnhardt was good regarding battle, race among the Most useful 3 late, and led seven laps, but an eco-friendly-white-checkered, and you may bad brakes forced Earnhardt to help you a seventh-put become. The next week during the Talladega, Earnhardt raced among the pack before center of your own competition, when he took the lead. The guy provided for twenty-six laps, but the past 30 laps watched the vehicle simply take a traditional speed, and try never ever capable regain one track standing, and you may accomplished 26th. At Kansas, to your first-night race during the song, Earnhardt went solidly throughout the Most useful 5, also top a number of laps, ahead of finishing fifth.
Regarding the Race Endless, Earnhardt contributed to have 7 laps, in the final portion, experience of brose brought about him to hit this new wall structure subsequently step one, finishing 9th
Into Dash The-Celebrity Battle, Earnhardt already been sixth, however, battled a strict vehicles for hours, and you can is actually never a bona fide contender. Earnhardt entered the conclusion line next. The second day in the Coca-Soda 600, the guy raced inside Top 5 for some of your night, prior to making an unscheduled pit prevent to have a motor vibration. It triggered a 19th-place end, simply a couple of laps off. Next month at the Dover, Earnhardt raced when you look at the Top ten for hours, and is running on Top 5 late, however, a blunder to the pit road leftover these with good 9th-put end.