On 2012 Quicken Fund 400 in the Michigan, Earnhardt controlled the brand new race, best 95 laps, and you may acquired, taking an effective 143-competition winless move, almost couple of years into time just after their past victory to the
At Bristol, Earnhardt completed 15th adopting the a late race connection with teammate Jeff Gordon, and you can a racing penalty. Earnhardt would back that it with a pair of back once again to back third-set closes within Vehicles Pub and you can Martinsville Speedway, making your next from the standings.
The next 2 weeks, Earnhardt create blog post off closes away from sixth in the Charlotte and you can last during the Dover going to your summer time
From the following months, Earnhardt manage offer a set of the market leading 10s: 10th during the Texas, 7th within Kansas, second at the Richmond, and you will 9th from the Talladega, where the guy contributed ten laps. The next few days, Earnhardt battled for the majority of of the competition at Darlington, together with to repay having a 17th-set become. During the All of the-Celebrity Race, Earnhardt obtained the newest Dash Showdown, leading all of the 40 laps so you’re able to competition his way for the huge experience. Even when, Earnhardt acquired new 4th part as well as in the very last 10 lap shootout, had to be satisfied with a 5th-set wind up. In the freshly repaved Pocono Raceway, Earnhardt provided thirty six laps for the battle, but made a late competition stamina pit avoid regarding third lay with just more than 20 laps to visit, completing 8th and updates second within the things Italy bbw dating. Earnhardt would suffer a 23rd-set end during the Sonoma after being destroyed inside the an eco-friendly-white-checkered end up, however, was still capable cross the conclusion range intact and you can toward head lap, continued their move to be really the only driver to end the racing on lead lap. He’d straight back so it with a fourth-place wind up about Quaker Condition 400 during the Kentucky Speedway.
Another few days in the Daytona, a past lap crash resulted in a 15th-lay end getting Earnhardt but nonetheless leftover their move of being the only driver to end every single lap in virtually any competition. Earnhardt copied with a couple of the market leading 5 ends, finishing 4th in the each other Loudon and Indianapolis, where he achieved the latest points head the very first time since the 2004, immediately following activities chief Matt Kenseth are applied for in the a late competition freeze. Straight back during the Pocono, Earnhardt try powering on 2nd reputation, however, some slack from the sign sent the fresh new 88 into garage, but he came back away 18 laps off and you will completed 32nd, due to rain one to showed up and you can concluded the battle and good late race ruin involving Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, and you may Denny Hamlin. Their streak off completing into the head lap found an enthusiastic stop, however, he nonetheless was able the points direct that have 5 races until the pursue cutoff. On Watkins Glen, Earnhardt had a stable Top 10 going in the very last laps however, a belated battle spin led to a beneficial 28th-lay find yourself, this should drop the newest 88 cluster off 1st to 4th when you look at the brand new things.
Back to Michigan to the Absolute Michigan 400, Earnhardt needed to come from 42nd place immediately following a crash in habit pushed him to move in order to a back up automobile. He provided for a number of laps middle-competition and you can done into the direct lap in the fourth place. Earnhardt; Ryan Newman; and Kasey Kahne together with fled motor problems you to definitely affected Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and you may Tony Stewart. On Bristol Motor Speedway, Earnhardt become sixteenth after a qualifying rainout; the guy contributed 13 laps about battle prior to pit street charges resulted in a 12th-place become. The conclusion secured him into the 2012 Pursue with the Dash Glass, next to Greg Biffle, and you may teammate Jimmie Johnson. At Atlanta Engine Speedway, Earnhardt went good lap off very early however, retrieved to earn a 7th-lay wind up. The second times on Richmond International Raceway, Earnhardt earned his first rod of the season. He’d proceed to head 69 laps, but a late race gap prevent triggered the new 88 people delivering a beneficial 14th-put finish, being seeded seventh from the standings. In the first competition of pursue at Chicagoland Speedway, Earnhardt done 8th despite to start powering the field because of a motor alter. Concludes away from 13th and you will 11th in the Loudon and you may Dover left the latest 88 cluster 7th on the standings.