Time For Earnhardt Again At Michigan

Dale Earnhardt Jr. started this year's NASCAR season strong - he was even the points leader earlier in the year. But it still has been a year since he last won a Sprint Cup Series race.

The win came at Michigan International Speedway - where NASCAR returns this weekend - and broke a four year long winless streak for the 88 team.

Dale Jr. had a good run last week at Pocono, challenging winner Jimmie Johnson for the lead a couple of times in the last 10 laps and finishing third. A year ago, the circumstances were similar - Earnhardt had a good run at Pocono contending for the win but finishing 8th and then followed with his win at Michigan.

The question is: Can the defending race winner do it again Sunday? His two wins with Hendrick Motorsports have come at Michigan. In qualifying on Friday, Earnhardt was 12th fastest.  Not great but not bad.  In Saturday's practice sessions, Earnhardt was 14th and 18th so they will need to find more speed on Sunday.

Carl Edwards won his first pole of the year and his first ever at Michigan. Here is the complete lineup for Sunday's race.