Dale Earnhardt Jr. Picks Up First Win at Martinsville
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Jamie Squire/Getty Images(MARTINSVILLE, Va.) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. is out of the chase, but he didn’t mind taking home the checkered flag at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday.
Earnhardt Jr. was eliminated from title contention last weekend and held off Jeff Gordon, who is one of the eight remaining drivers left in the Chase, for his first career win at the track in 30 starts.
The win comes 10 years after Hendrick Motor Sports lost ten members of their team, including team owner Rick Hendricks son at Martinsville during a plane crash.
“I could feel how important it was to him and his embrace when he hugged me,” Earnhardt said. “There’s a genuine hug and there’s a hug. His was the real deal. This is the 10th anniversary. It’s more difficult. The 10th anniversary sort of has you reflecting and remembering.”
Ryan Newman, who is also one of the eight remaining drivers, finished in third. Tony Stewart followed Newman and Joey Logano was fifth.
Gordon said finishing in second was tough, but he’s happy to see Team Hendrick get the win at this track.
“I will say that it makes me feel a little bit better about finishing second that it was second to somebody that’s not in the Chase,” Gordon said. “Had that been somebody in the Chase, it would have been hard to swallow.”
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