After Sunday, Dale Earnhardt Jr. could care less about being eliminated from the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup. He has his grandfather clock, and that’s all that matters.
Almost 10 years to the day of a plane crash that killed 10 people, including the son of Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, Earnhardt claimed the unconventional trophy for winning at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Although Earnhardt was knocked from the new championship format last weekend, he was clearly emotional on victory lane.
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The victory was the 23rd of Earnhardt’s career, but his first at Martinsville. His father claimed the checkered flag — and one of those coveted grandfather clocks — six times.
Photo via Peter Casey/USA TODAY Sports Images
