"It's disappointing. We lost another motor," Earnhardt said after finishing 30th. "We've run good every week, we just can't finish races."
It's the second time in the four Chases that Junior has not qualified.
While Junior is trying to win his first race of the season in his final 10 appearances with Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI), Jimmie Johnson enters the Chase as the hottest driver. Johnson's victory at Richmond is his second in a row and gives the reigning Cup series champion a series-leading six wins for the year. Johnson swept both Richmond races this year.
Since race winners are given 10-point bonuses for each victory, Johnson will begin the Chase on Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway 20 points ahead of Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon. The points of all 12 Chasers are reset at 5,000, plus the bonus points.
Tony Stewart, runner-up at Richmond, starts third in the Chase with 5,030 points.
"We're happy to be hitting our stride at this point in the season," Johnson said. "As everybody knows, it was a little bit of a tough summer for us. But everything is working right now."
Johnson was referring to the six-race suspension of his crew chief, Chad Knaus, after NASCAR inspectors found unapproved modifications to the fenders of Johnson's No. 48 Chevy before the June race at Sonoma, Calif.
Kurt Busch starts fifth (5,020) in the Chase and Kyle Busch is ninth (5,010).
DEI will be represented by Martin Truex Jr. The Mayetta, N.J., driver is in his first Chase. Clint Bowyer is the other first-time Chaser.
"This is my time to step up and be the leader at DEI," Truex said. "I'm ready. I'm excited about the opportunity and ready to make the most of the Chase."
The second Chase race is Sept. 23 at Dover International Speedway in Delaware. *
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THE CHASE IS ON
