Dale Earnhardt Jr. gets out of his No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet NASCAR Nationwide Series new car in Daytona International Speedway's Victory Lane Friday in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Beginning July 14, included with the price of admission, guests can get a close-up look at the No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet Impala that Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove to victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race July 2, 2010 at Daytona International Speedway. The car carries the same design of the race cars Earnhardt Jr.’s father, Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Dale Earnhardt, made famous in the 1980s.

“Long before we ever raced the No. 3 car to honor my dad, I had already considered lending it to the NASCAR Hall of Fame regardless of how it finished, because the whole point of the program was to pay tribute to my dad’s induction into the Hall of Fame,” said Earnhardt Jr. “The fact we won with it makes it even more meaningful, and hopefully it will attract more people to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in the coming months while it’s on display. This No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet put me back into Victory Lane, and it stirred up a lot of old memories for a lot of people. I was happy for my fans, my dad’s fans, my family, Richard (Childress), Teresa (Earnhardt) and everybody involved. It was definitely an honor to drive it.”

This No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet Impala was built and prepared by JR Motorsports and entered in the Daytona race by legendary owner Richard Childress. The combination of Earnhardt Jr., Dale Earnhardt Inc. and RCR has a very brief yet shining history on the track. In only two races together, Earnhardt drove the No. 3 Chevrolet to victory on both occasions (February 2002 and July 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Daytona International Speedway).

“There already was something special about this race car before it ever even took a lap around a racetrack,” said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “It solidified its place in history, though, when Dale Jr. took it to Victory Lane in Daytona. Dale says he will not drive the No. 3 again, so this may be even more historic than we realize today. Epic stories deserve to be relived over and over, and it is our privilege to provide a venue for guests to get close to something so unique. We can’t thank Kelley and Dale enough for loaning us this car.”

On loan from JR Motorsports, the race car is on exhibit in the Great Hall of the NASCAR Hall of Fame until Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. Tickets for the NASCAR Hall of Fame can be purchased at the box office on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Charlotte, N.C., by phone at 877-231-2010 or online at www.NASCARHall.com. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is open seven days a week, 362 days a year.

About NASCAR Hall of Fame

Located in uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, opened May 11, 2010 and includes artifacts, interactive exhibits, 275-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000 square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. www.NASCARHall.com

- NASCAR Hall of Fame Press Release

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 2, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jerry Markland / Getty Images for NASCAR)

In a collaboration effort between JR Motorsports, Jr’s stepmother Teresa Earnhardt and former car owner of his late father, Richard Childress – Jr. would give the world another opportunity to see a Earnhardt sport a No. 3 at the historic 2.5-mile superspeedway. Fondly enough, it was probably the last time you would see the historic number on the track and wheeled by a clan member of the man they called “The Intimidator.”

Friday night’s SUBWAY Jalapeno 250 powered by Coca-Cola debuted the new NASCAR Nationwide “COT” vehicle which after much speculation showcased into the spotlight as slick and fast especially with those carrying the Dodge Challenger or Ford Mustang emblems.

Early indications that the new cars showed a twitchy loose feeling; roared to life during the 100 laps / 250 mile event. The best of the best in the NASCAR’s secondary series proved why they belong racing on the high bank track of Daytona as wicked loose machines would be no match to the driver’s talent and ability to kick off the Fourth of July weekend with fireworks of their own.

Earnhardt Jr. broke up a trio of Penske Dodge Challengers as point’s leader Brad Keselowski and newest recruit Parker Kligerman claimed the front row in qualifying with Earnhardt squeezing in between Kligerman and former ARCA Racing Series champion Justin Allgaier for fourth.

By the time the green flag dropped shortly after 8:00 p.m., it was clear that Jr. Nation owned the house. The yellow and blue Chevrolet Impala of the most popular driver in NASCAR immediately showed he was a threat to win as by lap three – Jr., surpassed Keselowski for the top-spot though unable to claim the title as the lap leader – Jr. Nation lived in the moment that their hero was returning the favor for showing respect by holding up three fingers to salute one of the greatest NASCAR drivers of all time.

Surprisingly, Daytona didn’t produce the side-by-side 25-car plus draft but the first dozen cars in the lead draft were enough to keep everyone on the edge as the handling of their driver’s new automobiles would begin to fade as the green flag laps piled up.

Saving graces from Michael Annett and a debris caution, shortly after Earnhardt Jr. asserted himself back into the top-spot late in the race allowed the opportunity for teams to enter pit road for what most considered the final time of the evening.

All night, teams avoided headaches and added pressure as they were preparing to make green flag pit stops just as the yellow flags were thrown.

Earnhardt’s No. 88 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pit crew preformed flawlessly on pit road with the former NASCAR Nationwide Series champion gearing up for what was expected to be a wild restart.

The action quickly turned heavy as inside the final 20 laps the drivers began to make their moves on their competitors and while it appeared that Earnhardt’s Chevrolet bow-tie had the field virtually locked up, a blown tire by Paul Menard within the final five laps of the contest would put the field back under yellow. Teams immediately scrambled as some drivers felt fresh Goodyear rubber would be the winning piece to sail past the shield of Earnhardt Jr.

Kyle Busch in his No. 18 NOS Loaded Cherry Toyota Camry was the first of the lead group to pull to pit lane for four tires hoping that his decision would make the competition “rowdy” in the end. His plan failed to come to life.

On the final restart of the night a gracious restart shove from Joey Logano would literally surge Earnhardt Jr. ahead to keep the bottom of the track locked and virtually opening the door to his 23rd career Nationwide victory and sixth at Daytona.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 2, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Todd Warshaw / Getty Images for NASCAR)

He added, “I was so worried I wasn’t going to win because nothing but a win was going to be good enough. If I didn’t win, what a waste of time, why’d I do it? So I worked hard trying to win it and not only for daddy. I’m proud of him for going into the Hall of Fame and he would be proud of this I’m sure. This is it. No more 3 for me.”

Logano was second followed by Roush Fenway Racing rookie Ricky Stenhouse Jr. who led the charge of Ford Mustangs with an impressive and career-best third place run in the No. 6 Blackwell Angus Beef machine followed by Keselowski in a Challenger and Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola pole sitter Kevin Harvick in fifth.

Clint Bowyer clucked to sixth with Busch settling for seventh, Ryan Newman finished a quiet eighth for Phoenix Racing with Stenhouse’s teammate Brian Ickler claiming ninth and JR Motorsports teammate Steve Arpin comprising the remainder of the top-10.

Arpin, a full-time competitor in the ARCA Racing Series recovered from a tough go-around in his limited NASCAR Nationwide Series season schedule this year with a career-best finish in his No. 7 WOW! Foods Chevrolet Impala.

Allgaier in the No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Challenger had a car capable of contending with Earnhardt but damage to the rear bumper cover of his machine caused his night to literally become a hanging nightmare. The Springfield, Illinois native settled for a 17th place finish.

Greg Sacks who came out of retirement hoping to find the magic from his Cinderella Daytona win in the 1980s showed he had a strong No. 88 GT Vodka Chevrolet but a late race shuffle delivered a 21st place effort in a back-up car.

Rusty Wallace Racing’s Brendan Gaughan rose as your sleeper inside the final three laps of Friday night’s fight but contact on the white flag lap with Trevor Bayne ended his night in the No. 62 South Point Casino & Hotel Toyota Camry in the turn three wall.

Jennifer Jo Cobb, the lone female in the event had a nightmare week at Daytona. After losing two transmissions in practice, Cobb made six laps in the race before becoming entangled in a two-car incident with Johnny Chapman forcing her No. 27 Driven Ford Mustang to a disappointing 43rd place finish in her Nationwide Daytona debut.

Thankfully the teams escaped Daytona without major carnage as the “big one” failed to unleash itself like it did in the previous restrictor plate event at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April.

Next up for the Nationwide Series is a trip to the Windy City for the running of the Dollar General 300 at Chicagoland Speedway next Friday night (07.09.10) with live coverage on ESPN (television), MRN (radio) and XM / Sirius Satellite Radio beginning at 8:00 p.m. local.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 2, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen / Getty Images)

In a green-white-checkered finish, Earnhardt, who was running the legendary blue and yellow paint scheme in honor of his father’s recent induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, was able to hold off a hard-charging Joey Logano.

“The 20 car had a run on the back straightaway and I thought the race was over,” Earnhardt said. “It’s emotional. I’m proud of myself. I’m proud of what I did with the JR Motorsports group, I’m proud for Richard (Childress) and Teresa (Earnhardt) and everybody who came together to make this happen, but mainly the fans. I hope they really got a lot out of this. It was trying, emotionally, to put it together.

“I was so worried I wasn’t going to win because nothing but a win was going to be good enough. If I didn’t win, what a waste of time, why’d I do it? So I worked hard trying to win it and not only for daddy. I’m proud of him for going into the Hall of Fame and he would be proud of this I’m sure. This is it. No more 3 for me.”

Logano’s No. 20 SportsClips Toyota was strong throughout the race and pushed Earnhardt out to a comfortable lead on the final restart. Logano had a run going through Turn 3, but with no drafting help, fell back in line.

“I just wanted to win real bad,” Logano said. “It seems like every time I come to restrictor-plate race tracks like this I push someone to a win. I just can’t get anyone to push me yet. It was a good run, but it’s not a win.”

Earnhardt, who momentarily took the lead on Lap 3, led the most laps with 33. The win marked Earnhardt’s first Nationwide Series win on the 2.5-mile tri-oval since he won the race back in 2006. It was his sixth win at the historic track in the Nationwide series – the most among active drivers and just one win behind the overall leader Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Pole-sitter and current points leader Brad Keselowski led twice for 16 laps and finished fourth.

Saturday’s 52nd annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be the final race on the current asphalt of Daytona International Speedway. Following the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola, the entire 2.5-mile tri-oval will be repaved for only the second time in its history.

For tickets to the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter (www.twitter.com/disupdates) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway)

- Daytona International Speedway Press Release

JR Motorsports

TRACK – Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile tri-oval)

DATE – Friday, July 2, 2010

TV / RADIO – ESPN (coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. EST) / MRN (broadcast begins at 7:30 p.m. EST)

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet

“This will be a special weekend for us. We got together with Richard (Childress) and Teresa (Earnhardt) and put this deal together to honor my dad and his induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We’re bringing back this Wrangler paint scheme because it’s kind of what started his whole persona as being the tough guy that he was. We have a lot of memories of the No. 3 Wrangler car, and I think all my Dad’s fans will get a kick out of seeing it on the track again.”

“This is a one-time deal. I have no intensions of making it a habit to run special paint schemes with my dad’s number every year, and I’m pretty sure this will be the last time I drive the No. 3. It’s my dad’s number. We are borrowing it this weekend to honor him, and I hope the fans remember him when they see this blue-and-yellow car on the track. Plus, it’s cool to get together with Richard and Teresa on cool projects. So I’m looking forward to this weekend. Hope we can give it a good run.”

Greg Sacks

No. 88 Grand Touring Vodka Chevrolet

“It’s going to be good to be back behind the wheel of a racecar, I can tell you that. I participated in the new car test with the Grand Touring Vodka team earlier this month and things went well. With the type of equipment Tony [Eury] Sr. and the guys put together, I know we can be competitive. A lot of things around Daytona have changed since my last win there, but the racetrack is still the slick, bumpy track it’s always been. It’s a fun, yet challenging track.”

“I just couldn’t pass on an opportunity to race at Daytona in top equipment on the 25th anniversary of my Pepsi Firecracker 400 victory. On top of that, being the only driver in this event that actually raced with Dale [Earnhardt, Sr.] in the Wrangler No. 3 and now being teammates with Dale Jr. in that car is just awesome.”

Steve Arpin

No. 7 WOW! Foods Chevrolet

“I’m thrilled to represent WOW! Foods in the 7 car. The night race at Daytona is always an exciting race and the WOW! Foods Chevrolet is going to look awesome under the lights. They offer some great tasting products and we’re hoping to introduce them to the legions of food-loving NASCAR fans through this partnership. They also have a lot of history with the Earnhardt family, so we want to give them a finish they can be proud of this weekend.”

“I learned a lot in Talladega about the way these guys race and how they take advantage of certain situations. The biggest advantage I had by running Talladega was to watch how those guys used the air and what decisions they made at certain times of the race. I am flying in with Dale Jr. on Wednesday and I plan on asking a lot of questions and trying to learn as much as I can from him. He is about the best plate racer in the business. It’s good to have him on my side.”

JR MOTORSPORTS NOTEBOOK –

RETURN OF THE 3 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. will pay tribute to the memory of his father, Dale Earnhardt, by driving a retro No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet at Daytona this weekend. The Chevrolet will mirror the Wrangler paint scheme made famous by the elder Earnhardt through the 1981 to 1987 NASCAR Sprint Cup seasons. Earnhardt Jr.’s most recent turn behind the wheel of the No. 3 in the Nationwide Series was in 2002 at Charlotte Motor Speedway driving for Richard Childress.

WOW! FOODS DEBUTS ON THE 7 – JRM welcomes its newest partner, WOW! Foods to the No. 7 Chevrolet this weekend. WOW! Foods, based out of Hickory, N.C., offers a variety of food items that are available through the convenience store, club store and vending industries. WOW! Foods sandwiches use the highest quality ingredients and flavor profiles typically only found in restaurants. Their first line of products all carries the Dale Earnhardt Jr. signature on the package.

SACKS INFO – Sacks owns two starts at Daytona in the NNS with one top-five and two top-10 finishes. His best outing was a third-place finish in the spring of 1990 driving the City Chevrolet car for Rick Hendrick. Sacks’ last Nationwide Series race came at Dover in 2004.

FIRST OF 10 RACES FOR GT VODKA – Daytona will be the first of 10 races sponsor Grand Touring Vodka is on board the No. 88 Chevrolet. Sacks will make GT’s debut this weekend and the Vodka company will be featured on the 88 Chevrolet for races at O’Reilly Raceway Park (July 24), Watkins Glen (Aug. 7), Michigan (Aug. 14), Richmond (Sept. 10), Kansas (Oct. 2), California (Oct. 9), Texas (Nov. 6), Phoenix (Nov. 13), and Homestead-Miami (Nov. 20). Aside from Daytona, Elliott Sadler will drive all but the Watkins Glen race for GT Vodka. Road-race veteran Ron Fellows will return to the seat of the No. 88 for the race at The Glen.

SILVER ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND – This weekend marks the 25th anniversary of Greg Sacks’ monumental NASCAR Sprint Cup victory in the 1985 Pepsi Firecracker 400. Sacks made NASCAR history, taking a research-and-development car from DiGard Motorsports, qualifying ninth, and mounting a monumental upset over Bill Elliott and Darrell Waltrip. Sacks benefited from a fast race car and savvy pit strategy to lead 33 laps and claim the victory.

FAMILY REUNION – Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be reunited with cousin and fellow JRM co-owner Tony Eury Jr. this weekend, with Eury Jr. serving as crew chief of the No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet. It marks the duo’s first pairing since the spring Cup race at Charlotte in 2009.

AT DAYTONA – In 18 starts at Daytona, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has five wins, eight top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. He has led 488 laps and earned an average finish of 13.1. In his last Daytona outing in February, he started third but was victim to a crash that resulted in a 29th-place finish.

UNDER THE LIGHTS – Earnhardt Jr. led at least five laps in five of his seven career night races at Daytona, for a total of 234 laps. In 2003 he led every lap (100) en route to victory in the Winn-Dixie 250.

FIFTH RACE FOR ARPIN – Canadian Steve Arpin will make his fifth start for JRM in the No. 7 Chevrolet at Daytona with sponsorship from WOW! Foods this weekend. In Arpin’s previous four starts in the No. 7, he earned a best finish of 25th at Richmond and is averaging a finish of 28.5. Arpin owns two top-10 starting spots on the season.

DAYTONA STATS FOR 88 – No. 88 Grand Touring Vodka team has finishes of fifth and sixth in the last two summer events at Daytona.

NO. 88 ROTATION – Sacks becomes the seventh driver to wheel JRM’s flagship No. 88 Chevrolet, joining team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelly Bires, Ron Fellows, Jamie McMurray, Coleman Pressley and Elliott Sadler. The team has led 32 laps on the season and earned four top-five and six top-10 finishes.

TEAM POINTS POSITION – The No. 88 GT Vodka team remains ninth in the 2010 owner points after Loudon. The No. 7 WOW! Foods team occupies the 21st spot in owner points.

FREE JR NATION FAN CLUB – Now race fans can be part of all the JR Motorsports action with a free subscription to The JR Nation Crew Fan Club – the official fan club of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports. The club has just launched a new website complete with chat rooms, forums and blogs from your favorite JRM drivers. Join today for your chance to win a custom-designed race helmet provided by Nationwide Insurance and signed by Dale Jr., and Danica Patrick. For more information visit www.dalejr.com/jrnation.

- JR Motorsports Press Release

Dale Earnhardt Inc.

Announced by NASCAR CEO Brian France earlier today, Earnhardt, one of NASCAR’s favorite drivers and fiercest competitors, was selected to the first class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame based on the achievements of his 26-year career and his many contributions to the sport both on and off the track. He joins Bill France, Sr., Bill France, Jr., Richard Petty and Junior Johnson in the inaugural group to be recognized at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 23, 2010. Earnhardt’s selection was voted on by NASCAR track owners, team owners, series officials, drivers and media members.

“It is truly an honor to see Dale Earnhardt recognized as one of the five most influential members of the NASCAR family and inducted in the first class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” said Teresa Earnhardt, President and CEO of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. “Of the many legendary accomplishments and accolades of his career – from the seven championships to the win in the Daytona 500 to the founding of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. — this is another defining moment. It is the achievement of a lifetime and is celebrated by the millions of Dale Earnhardt fans around the world.

“From now on, Dale Earnhardt’s spirit will live on at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and part of him will live at the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” she added. “Not only would he be proud of this day, he’d be proud to see the legacy of his race team competing for a championship with Juan Pablo Montoya.”

Kerry Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt’s oldest son, said the selection of his father to the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a humbling experience.

“The legends that were nominated for the NASCAR Hall of Fame were my racing heroes growing up – and my Dad was first among them,” said Kerry Earnhardt. “Congratulations to all of the legends who were selected for the NASCAR Hall of Fame and thank you to the members of the voting panel for recognizing my Dad’s accomplishments in the sport. To see my Dad voted to the very first class to be inducted in the NASCAR Hall of Fame is amazing and humbling. He was a legend to the millions of fans who cheered him every week, and definitely a hero to me.”

For Taylor Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt’s youngest daughter, seeing her father recognized as one of five most influential people in NASCAR is inspiring.

“I’m so proud to see my Dad selected to the first class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” said Taylor Earnhardt. “Everything he did, he did with passion, a competitive spirit and a drive to win. That legacy is inspiring to me, and I hope it is inspiring to all of his fans celebrating this exciting event.”

Dale Earnhardt’s oldest daughter, Kelley Earnhardt, said the selection of her father is an incredible moment for all of his fans.

“We are extremely honored to see my father chosen as part of the esteemed first class of NASCAR Hall of Fame members, and we want to congratulate the fellow inductees and their families,” said Kelley Earnhardt. “To be part of the inaugural class is the ultimate honor — one that is cemented in time and achieved by no other outside of the five members. My father impacted many lives, and I know I speak on behalf of Dale Earnhardt fans everywhere in showing our appreciation that his memory will live forever inside the walls of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.”

Dale Earnhardt, Jr., thanked the voting panel for recognizing his father’s accomplishments.

“For what my Dad achieved in this sport – both on and off the track – he certainly earned his place in history and deserves to be distinguished in this inaugural class of NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees,” said Dale Earnhardt, Jr. “I want to thank the voting panel and nomination committee for recognizing that and honoring him this way. It means a lot to the Earnhardt family, and it means a lot to my Dad’s fans, which I am one. He was the man, plain and simple.”

Fans Can Join the Celebration of Dale Earnhardt’s Selection

For the legions of Dale Earnhardt fans who faithfully support their hero, the selection of Dale Earnhardt to the first class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame is cause for celebration. To honor the event, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will be open for a fan celebration at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. headquarters in Mooresville, NC, throughout the weekend of October 16 and 17, 2009 and will debut a new exhibit featuring his memorabilia. In addition, fans can post a congratulatory message at www.DaleEarnhardt.com.

In addition, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has created a special commemorative icon for Dale Earnhardt’s selection to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. It will be featured throughout the year of celebration of his induction, and will be available for fans on select apparel and commemorative items on www.DaleEarnhardtInc.com.

About Dale Earnhardt, Inc. and the Dale Earnhardt Foundation

Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has a nearly 30-year history as a racing organization, founded by one of the most storied individuals in the sport. It is committed to keeping this legacy alive and to building Dale Earnhardt, Inc. as a leader in the motorsports industry, an innovator in the automotive and transportation business and champion in philanthropic outreach.

The Dale Earnhardt Foundation’s mission is to “Continue the Legend” through charitable programs and grants that sustain Earnhardt’s lifelong commitment to Children, Education and Wildlife Preservation. Through the legacy of Dale Earnhardt, the Foundation has been able to help thousands of people in need, give college students and future leaders a chance to pursue their dreams and improve the environment through conservation efforts.

- Dale Earnhardt Inc., Press Release

Truex was penalized 25 points in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver standings. Manion was fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2009. Earnhardt was penalized 25 points in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner standings.

The three were penalized for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); Section 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and Section 20-12.8.1C (right rear quarter panel height did not meet the required specifications; too high in post-race inspection).

- NASCAR, Press Release