Race: Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Track Specs: 1.54-mile quad-oval
Weather: Clear, 68 degrees
Race Winner: Jimmie Johnson
Dale Jr.’s Finish: 2nd
Dale Earnhardt Jr. bounced back from his Daytona disappointment with a runner-up finish in Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The finish marks his second consecutive top-three effort at the 1.54-mile track.
Earnhardt started the day 16th in the first race of the season with NASCAR’s new low-downforce package. The package, which includes a shorter rear spoiler, reduced splitter overhang, and smaller radiator pan, debuted in two races last year. From the outset of the 325-lap race, Earnhardt whipped his No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet around the outside line and into the top five after only 10 laps.
As the race ran green for the first 210 laps, Earnhardt solidified himself as a top-10 contender. When the first caution waved, the No. 88 was scored sixth, where he’d take the ensuing restart eight laps later. Earnhardt climbed his way into the top five once again and found himself scored fifth when a second and final caution flew with only two laps remaining.
The Nationwide pit crew held serve on pit road and allowed Earnhardt to restart in the preferred inside line for an overtime restart. Cars in the outside lined struggled on the start, allowing Earnhardt to vault his way to third by the time the field raced through turns three and four. The No. 88 slid passed Kyle Busch just before a multi-car accident ended the race on the final lap.
Jimmie Johnson earned his 76th career victory, tying Dale Earnhardt Sr., with Earnhardt Jr. scored second, Kyle Busch third, Kurt Busch fourth and Carl Edwards rounding out the top five.