Though he and his team have been strong throughout the entire 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and his National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew Chevy team found themselves on shaky ground following final practice Saturday. Earnhardt spun and hit the turn two wall late in the session forcing his Hendrick Motorsports team to a backup car for Sunday's Pure Michigan 400. Unfortunately, Earnhardt was unable to return to the track to practice and had to start Sunday's race cold turkey. Earnhardt ran a solid race thanks in part to the strategy of his crew chief, Steve Letarte. Earnhardt came from the rear of the field to lead twice for 25 laps and score a fourth place finish in the 400-mile event.
Number/Driver, Lap, Infraction, Penalty
#48 Jimmie Johnson, Pre-Race to the rear, Tail of Field, Engine
#22 Sam Hornish, Jr., Pre-Race to the rear, Tail of Field, Driver Change
#88 Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Pre-Race to the rear, Tail of Field, Back Up
#43 Aric Almirola, Pre-Race to the rear, Tail of Field, Back Up
#55 Mark Martin, 65, Pitting before pit road is open, Garage
#47 Bobby Labonte, 66, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail of Field
#14 Tony Stewart, 68, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail of Field
#51 Kurt Busch, 68, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail of Field
#42 Juan Pablo Montoya, 71, Too many crew member(s) in contact with pit service area, Tail of Field
#78 Regan Smith, 76, Pitting before pit road is open, Garage
#47 Bobby Labonte, 127, Speed-Exiting pits, Pass Thru
#42 Juan Pablo Montoya, 144, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail of Field
#21 Trevor Bayne, 181, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail of Field
#38 David Gilliland, 181, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail of Field
#93 Travis Kvapil, 182, Removing equipment from assigned pit area, Tail of Field