BROOKLYN, Mich. – Whenever the Sprint Cup series comes to Michigan, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the center of attention.
He won at Michigan International Speedway last June after 143 races without a victory. His most recent win before that was also at Michigan in 2008, so the Sprint Cup's twice-yearly visits to the Irish Hills always present an opportunity for Earnhardt and his No. 88 Chevrolet.
Earnhardt hasn't won since snapping his long losing streak at MIS a year ago. Concussion problems derailed his chances in the 2012 Chase for the Sprint Cup.
He began this season with five straight top-10 finishes and briefly led the points standings, but he's slipped to fourth since then.
Carl Edwards won the pole for Sunday's 400-mile race.
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