Dale Earnhardt Jr. failed to win a race in either 2010 or thus far in 2011, and this season can no longer fall back on this event-champion provisional. He won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race in 2000, but that achievement only locks a driver into the field for the following 10 years. His time is up.
But there’s two other means to the all-star end for Earnhardt. One, he could race his way in. If Earnhardt wins or finishes second in the Sprint Showdown – which precedes the all-star race – he’ll earn a spot in the field. Or if he wins the Sprint Fan Vote, he’ll get in – but only if he finishes on the lead lap in the Sprint Showdown.
The Final Lap Weekly 