Earnhardt Win Could Be Costly

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was nearly perfect on the racetrack.

His only slip-up Sunday came in Victory Lane during a post-race television interview.

Earnhardt, who charged from 11th place to a victory and the series points lead in the last five laps of the NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, put that lead in jeopardy by cursing during an NBC Sports interview.

In February at Rockingham, N.C., NASCAR President Mike Helton explicitly told drivers to watch their mouths on radio and TV.

Less than a month later, Johnny Sauter was fined $25,000 and docked 25 points for cursing during a radio interview after the Busch Series race in Las Vegas.

“I’m worried about losing some points,” said Earnhardt, who moved into the series lead by 13 points over Kurt Busch, who finished fifth Sunday.

“Johnny said it in a fit of anger. I said it in Victory Lane,” Earnhardt said. “I hope they understand that it was in jubilation, and I know me and those other guys that got fined let it slip, but it’s two different circumstances.”

Earnhardt fell behind when crew chief Tony Eury Sr. decided to gamble on two fresh right-side tires because Earnhardt was already on pit road for his final stop when a yellow flag came out for a crash involving Sterling Marlin and Bobby Labonte.

Other drivers got ahead of Earnhardt by staying on the track or taking only fuel on their final stops during the last of five caution periods in the race.

It made little difference, however, once the green flag waved for Lap 184.

Jeff Gordon, who came into the race with a one-point lead over Busch, finished 19th and fell to third, 61 points behind after three of the 10 races in NASCAR’s new 10-man playoff-style championship.

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Doug Herbert (top fuel), Del Worsham (funny car) and Dave Connolly (pro stock) drove to upset victories in their categories in the CarQuest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.

Herbert earned his first win since August 2002, beating points leader Tony Schumacher in the final with a 4.516-second pass at 329.75 mph for the eighth victory of his career. Schumacher turned in a 4.527 at 329.18.

Worsham beat 12-time NHRA Powerade champion John Force for a category-leading fifth win this season and 19th of his career. Worsham turned in a 4.809 at 329.75.

Connolly beat Greg Anderson for his third victory in eight final rounds this season.

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Point Standings

Top 10 in NASCAR Nextel Cup point standings:

1. Dale Earnhardt Jr....5,543

2. Kurt Busch...5,530

3. Jeff Gordon...5,482

4. Mark Martin...5,432

5. Matt Kenseth...5,393

6. Tony Stewart...5,391

7. Ryan Newman...5,384

8. Elliott Sadler...5,377

9. Jimmie Johnson...5,371

10. Jeremy Mayfield...5,263

* Points breakdown: In NASCAR Nextel Cup races, drivers who lead at least one lap during a race are awarded five bonus points, and the driver who leads the most laps earns an additional five bonus points. Here’s the points breakdown. Winner: 180 points; second: 170; third: 165; fourth: 160; fifth: 155; sixth: 150; seventh: 146; eighth: 142; ninth: 138; 10th: 134; 11th: 130. Note: The driver finishing 12th earns 127 points, and each driver after that earns three fewer points than the driver ahead. Source: NASCAR