Dale Earnhardt Jr. Snaps 143 Sprint Cup Winless Streak
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Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images(BROOKLYN, Mich.) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn’t tested at all and led the final 25 laps at Michigan as he cruised his No. 88 car into victory lane on Sunday.
With the win, Earnhardt Jr. snapped his 143 Sprint Cup winless streak dating back four years.
“Those last 15 laps were probably the longest laps ever, took forever for that race to end,” Earnhardt Jr. said in Victory Lane. “I was wondering if a caution might come out or something like that or we’d have to really work for it but we dominated the race, if we were going to win one, that’s how you want to do it.”
Finishing 5.393 seconds behind him was Tony Stewart.
“Dale had the fastest car all day,” Stewart said. “It’s not a national holiday, guys. This morning they were celebrating his fourth anniversary of his last win, so I guess we’re all in a state of mourning now, because he’s broke that string now, so I don’t know what we’re all supposed to think.”
Earnhardt Jr.’s last win came four years ago at the same track.
“To do it for my fans — they stuck behind me for all these years. I know exactly what they’ve been thinking about and how long they’ve been wanting us to get to Victory Lane,” Earnhardt said. “This was for them. I appreciate their loyalty and their support. We wouldn’t have made it back to Victory Lane without it.”
Matt Kenseth finished in third but is still ahead of Earnhart Jr. in the Sprint Cup standings.
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