No. 88 team changes transmissions on car of unhappy Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was not happy with his No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet during Saturday morning's first of two practice sessions at Pocono Raceway.

After Earnhardt reported a pronounced vibration in the transmission, a problem that also affected the team here last year, the Hendrick crew changed transmissions between practices. He also complained of handling issues throughout the one-hour morning session.

NASCAR officials said that because Pocono is treated like a road course, Earnhardt will not have to start Sunday's Pocono 400 from the rear of the field.

Earnhardt qualified eighth and was 13th in the first practice Saturday morning.