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Quicken Loans 400 Recap


Dale Earnhardt Jr. crosses the finish line first for the first time since 2008.
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Finally, Dale Earnhardt Jr. can call himself a winner again.  He snaps his 143-race winless streak in dominating fashion at Michigan International Speedway!

What It Means
NASCAR's favorite son ended his drought in dominate fashion and had a max points day for the Dew Crew and was able to move within four points of point leader, Matt Kenseth, who finished third.

The Fan Favorite Rises
This weekend, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was sporting the colors of soon-to-be box office hit, The Dark Knight Rises, which makes for a blogger's dream of one liners comparing Dale Jr. to Batman or maybe just referring him and crew chief, Steve Letarte, as the Dynamic Duo.

No Luck Needed
Four years ago, Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored his last win in a fuel milage race which led many to believe he got lucky. But today, Dale Jr. spanked the competition by leading a race-high 95 laps and beating 2011 Sprint Cup Series Champion to the line by 5.393 seconds.

Help Me Tom Cruise 
Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn't the only driver in the movie spirit. Denny Hamlin did his best Ricky Bobby after his number 11 FedEx Toyota spun on lap 134. He came down pit road, where his car burst into flames and he was able to get out safely with the help of crew members from Greg Biffle's team.

More Engine Troubles for Kyle Busch
For the third week in a row, Kyle Busch had engine issues. Although he was able to get back in the race this week, he still finished 32nd which led all Joe Gibbs Racing drivers.


The Race to The Chase
  1. Matt Kenseth                    565 Pts.
  2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.               -4
  3. Greg Biffle                        -17
  4. Jimmie Johnson                 -33
  5. Denny Hamlin                   -51
  6. Kevin Harvick                   -61
  7. Martin Truex Jr.                -68
  8. Tony Stewart                    -74
  9. Clint Bowyer                    -84
  10. Brad Keselowski              -107
Wild Card                           Wins      Pts. Pos.
  1. Kyle Busch                    1             12th
  2. Ryan Newman               1             13th
  3. Joey Lagano                   1             15th
  4. Kasey Kahne                  1             16th
  5. Carl Edwards                  1             11th
TheNASCARTER's Take
All is indeed right with the world as NASCAR's most popular driver is back in victory lane. I know I'm not the only one who believes Dale Jr. will be back in the winners' circle before The Chase. Also, next year's Sprint Fan Vote for the All Star race should be a closer battle.

Up Next
The Sprint Cup Series heads to Wine Country when they "Think Outside the Oval" at road course, Sonoma Raceway.


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