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1. Jimmie Johnson 5718
2. Carl Edwards 5646
3. Greg Biffle 5641
4. Jeff Burton 5619
5. Clint Bowyer 5566
6. Kevin Harvick 5547
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7. Tony Stewart 5515
8. Jeff Gordon 5486
9. Matt Kenseth 5473
10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 5469
11. Kyle Busch 5387
12. Denny Hamlin 5383
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Eury surprised as Earnhardt Jr. runs out of fuel

By SceneDaily Staff

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Article Rating: 3.6
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Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) leads a pack of cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway Sunday.

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LONG POND, Pa. – Crew chief Tony Eury Jr. was baffled as to how Dale Earnhardt Jr. could have run out of fuel on the final lap of Sunday's Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway.
   
Earnhardt Jr. was in the top five entering the final lap of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race, but drifted back to a final finish of 12th. While three of the Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets were on fumes at the line, Earnhardt Jr. made it the least distance on the final lap.
   
Based on the performance and fuel mileage throughout the race, Eury expected Earnhardt Jr. to easily make it to the finish.
   
"I don’t know what happened there at the end," he said. "The car got real loose and he kind of started back pedaling there, but we were sitting there running fourth and kind of minding our own. We should have been a lap to a lap and a half to the good [on fuel], I thought.
   
"It seems like it ran out somewhere over there by the tunnel or somewhere. It kind of caught me off guard. It was one of those deals where we pitted where our window opened for the fuel mileage. We weren’t trying to push nothing, kinda weird."
   
Eury was further confused because of their teammates' performance.
   
“The No. 24 [of Jeff Gordon] ran out and the No. 48 [of Jimmie Johnson] was out when [they] crossed the line," Eury said. "Those guys were getting worse fuel mileage than we were all day. When we got loose there, we started  pedaling the throttle a little bit more and might have used up a little more fuel. That is why you take an average of all day. Ours was a little bit low on the end.”

Average Rating: 3.6

Comments

50 responses to "Eury surprised as Earnhardt Jr. runs out of fuel"
  1. 1
    Chrissie Bennett said:
    Aug 3, 2008 at 9:31 PM

    Tony Eury Jr. wouldn't have been surprised that Dale ran out of gas if he would have been keeping track of the fuel mileage like other crew chiefs do. Actually Dale wouldn't have run out of gas if Tony would have been keeping track of the fuel mileage. I mean is that not one of the crew chiefs responsibilities keeping track of the fuel mileage?

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  2. 2
    Kyle Ocker said:
    Aug 3, 2008 at 11:38 PM

    Chrissie Bennett - Don't be critical on Eury Jr. he is one of the best. Not the best, but one of the best in the modern era. Remember, these cars don't have fuel gauges, so no one knows exactly how much fuel is left. Eury Jr didn't know how much fuel Jr was taking. a Lap and a Half of fuel can be used up pretty fast. And Eury Jr wasn't expecting Jr to run that much fuel the last run. Its something that you can try sometime. See how much you suck at it.

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  3. 3
    UncleDave Thimsen said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 12:41 AM

    Dale, your in the hunt for the cup. Look at the big picture, and live and learn. We did good things, go from their. Dale is a serious Cup Champ threat as of today. Take it Dale. It's all yours.

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  4. 4
    Chrissie Bennett said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 12:55 AM

    Kyle Ocker why is it that other crew chiefs can keep track of their fuel mileage even with these cars. Yes I know these cars do not have fuel gauges I'm not new to NASCAR and I'm not stupid.

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  5. 5
    patricia jordan said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 2:26 AM

    the race was pretty good but far from the best, i dont know if you guys have in car audio but im sure dale jr was verbal on his thoughts about running out of fuel...i am proud of his efforts all year,,and he has total confidence in tony jr. so we should as well..

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  6. 6
    4da88 said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 2:52 AM

    The #88 was not the only car that ran out of fuel. However there was definitely a miscalculation and I don't think I can defend Tony Jr this week. Another disappointing finish. JJ ran out of gas and crossed the finish line on pit road holding on to his 3rd place position. I wonder if it was a call made by by Chad? A short cut if you will. Cannot imagine JJ would not have attempted to finish race; being on the last lap. I am betting/guessing they knew exactly what they were doing.

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  7. 7
    beth emerson said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 5:04 AM

    You can not fault Tony Jr. There car was not the only one to run out of fuel. Not only did the Hendrick cars but a few other teams. I am tired of people bashing Tony Jr. Dale jr has come along way and almost all of that is due to Eury Jr. Pay better attention people.

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  8. 8
    sally whan said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 5:29 AM

    Tony Jr does a good job but sometimes I think he could do a better job and pay more attention to what the other two cars are doing and told Jr to follow Jimmie...but over all he is doing okay and keeps Jr up in the front all the time,and they work good together I think and Jr needs someone he can count on out there and he has faith in Tony so we should too...Jr you are doing one hell of a job so keep it up and Tony you can working with our boy and you both are going to be the Champ in the end...we love ya

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  9. 9
    wendy wyman said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 8:56 AM

    Jr., this year is yours! #8 is the number of new beginnings, 7 is completion, perfection, that was how many cup titles daddy had, now #8 is new beginning, #88 is double portion of it. It is your year, 2008!!!!! You rock.

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  10. 10
    Mark Ernst said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 8:57 AM

    I take it nobody was listening in after that last pit stop. I dont see him making the chase.

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  11. 11
    Deb Evanson said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 9:08 AM

    At least this race was better than Indy. Would've been better still if Junior would've finished in the top 5, but oh well. These things happen. I disagree with you that it was Tony Jr.'s fault though, Chrissie. Tony Jr. does a great job; when is the last time Junior ran out of fuel? So I wouldn't get too upset over this, it's not like its a weekly occurance. And hey, at least Shrub didn't win. LOL

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  12. 12
    anonymous said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 9:32 AM

    Did anybody consider that MAYBE the gas man didn't get the car full on the last pit stop, and so the gas mileage calculation could have been off. The stop was under 14 seconds and as you can see, when the can is pulled out of the car, fuel splashes on the ground. That little bit of splash could have made the difference. tony Jr. made the right call. Nobody will ever know if the tank was full after the last pit stop. It doesn't matter now, he is still #2 in points and will make the chase.

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  13. 13
    melisa said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 9:39 AM

    I don't see how Mark is saying that dale won't make the chase this year. He is up there inthe points and he finish good every week. Tha gas issue it happens to everyone now and then. It wasn't Tonys fault. at least kb didn't win that was the best part. Go Dale keep up the good work. Its yours this!!!!!!!!!!

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  14. 14
    Bill said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 9:41 AM

    I was shocked also when I heard Jr. say on the scanner that he was out of gas. tony Jr. wasn't really telling jr. to keep saving gas.Maybe with the way jr.was complaining about his car all afternoon you knew that something like this would happen.I think tony had the car set-up for long runs and Dale expected his car to be good the whole run.I think Dale and Tony should start talking more on the radio on the way the car is set-up for that run after a pit stop.

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  15. 15
    Julie Lindblad said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 10:45 AM

    Has anyone else noticed that Junior starts every race like a house afire, but loses several spots on the last two or three laps ALMOST EVERY RACE?? It seems they can't keep up with the track changes or the car changes. I don't know who else you could blame for that except Tony Jr.

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  16. 16
    Dortha Burgess said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 10:45 AM

    enough is enough!!!!! I know that Tony is family but, he has become a detriment to Dale. Tony either need to start doing his job or be fired. I am very disappointed to hear week after week Dale taking the blame for Tony poor performance. Dale is a GREAT DRIVER. I believe deserves a Great crew chief.

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  17. 17
    MARTY HULSEY said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 11:16 AM

    THE TRUTH IS THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN HOW MUCH FUEL THEY GOT IN THE CAR ON THAT LAST STOP, BUT THERE ARE MANY OTHER FACTORS THAT COME INTO ACCOUNT THAT ARE HARD TO CALCULATE.DALE JR IS DOING GREAT! I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CHASE, AND DALE WILL BE THER!!!!

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  18. 18
    Joy Clark said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 11:29 AM

    All I can say is maybe the gasman didn't get the tank completely full or maybe tony didn't add everything up correctly or maybe dale Jr was pressing a little harder on the gas peddle? I don't know what happend about the fuel, but I do know that I was listening to hotpass radio chatter and Dale Jr was telling Tony all day that he needed to fix the car and was telling him EXACTLY what to do and Tony didn't do anything Dale said...maybe if the car was handling the way it was suppose to,the way dale asked for it to, we might not have run out of fuel!! And you can't blame anyone but tony jr for that!

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  19. 19
    4da88 said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 12:47 PM

    Beth, I thought you might like this article. http://www.cupscene.com/nascar080408lead1.htm#more

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  20. 20
    Lisa Fowler said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 1:29 PM

    As the laps were winding down, I kept saying that Jr. should have plenty of fuel to finish. He had stopped after Jimmie and after Kyle Busch. Obviously, Tony Jr. thought the same thing. Just as no one expected the win at Michigan, it should have been impossible, no one expected the fuel to be an issue at Pocono. Racing is not an exact science, if it were, there would be no surprises. What fun would that be?

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  21. 21
    roger carroll said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 2:19 PM

    I don't think you can blame either JR. for this. It's just part of racing.To many facters.Jr will be in the chase. Has a good chance to move to first. Roger

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  22. 22
    Mark Ernst said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 3:03 PM

    Did they weigh the gas can after the final pit stop? How Tony doesn't tell Rick that i won't be back next year is beyond me. I've been a Earnhardt fan for twenty five years. The race is better without listening too Jr scream all day.

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  23. 23
    Benita Rodriguez said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 4:48 PM

    Thanks for the share 4da88!!!! I don't think those who are complaining about TJ understood the article accurately... They had been tracking the fuel mileage throughout the race, and average out the mileage they need at the end by what they have used. All they Hendrick teams had issues, and were all surprised. Maybe there was something wrong with the fuel cell, or as some of you have pointed out- all of the fuel was not put into the car... the point being, we are not crew chiefs and do not know the specifics about what goes on during the race as it pertains to the cars. The JR's work well together, they understand each other completely, and noone else could have comandeered the successful season that they are having thus far. Enjoy the racing for what it is, and quit trying to solve somethin that isn't broken!!!!

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  24. 24
    Benita Rodriguez said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 4:50 PM

    BTW... Junior will be in the Chase, he has been very consistent and I'm sure he has more wins coming within these next 5 races before the Chase. Gooooo Jrrrr!!!!

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  25. 25
    Chrissie Bennett said:
    Aug 4, 2008 at 10:45 PM

    For your informoation Benita I understood the article.

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  26. 26
    Robert Wingert said:
    Aug 5, 2008 at 7:01 AM

    The biggest mistake on gas was the 18 team. Two laps short and couldn't restart. What were they thinking?

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  27. 27
    Worm Dirt said:
    Aug 5, 2008 at 10:04 AM

    I thought Junior's specialty this year was stealing fuel mileage victories. What happened?

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  28. 28
    Chrissie Bennett said:
    Aug 5, 2008 at 10:27 AM

    Your just upset Worm Dirt because your guy Kyle Busch proved that he really does suck

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  29. 29
    Worm Dirt said:
    Aug 5, 2008 at 12:10 PM

    Your EXACTLY right Chrissie. Fuel strategy doesn't appear to be a strong point for the #18 team. But, luckily... unlike some other teams... (wink, wink).... they don't have to always rely on fuel mileage races to get a win...... or SEVEN. Zing!!!!

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