Prior to this, Earnhardt got sustained an excellent concussion through the a keen August 30 try from the Kansas Speedway

To your early morning of Oct 11, Hendrick Motorsports revealed you to definitely Earnhardt will have to sit out of the Financial out-of The usa five hundred during the Charlotte additionally the Hollywood Gambling establishment eight hundred on Ohio on account of a concussion away from a 23-car crash into the history lap at the Talladega for the October 7. That sunday, Earnhardt completed twentieth within Talladega as he got an arduous lick during the a fail once and also make experience of Bobby Labonte. Regan Smith try announced to displace your in the these events.[31] Prior to the concussion, Earnhardt had trained in 461 consecutive races, going back the newest 1999 Atlanta experience. [32] Towards Oct 23, Earnhardt are cleaned to your Tums Prompt Relief five-hundred within Martinsville immediately following forgotten several racing. The guy started strong throughout the competition, but a later part of the competition twist with Carl Edwards placed to own an effective 21st-put end.[33] His first top ten find yourself just after back into the fresh tune are a 7th-set find yourself at Tx. In the Phoenix, Earnhardt fought an ill-approaching vehicles, and you may finished twenty-first. In the 12 months finale, at Homestead-Miami Ohio sugar daddies Speedway, Earnhardt carry out become tenth. This is exactly his first top wind up during the 1.5-mile tune, and his awesome 20th this present year. The guy closed the year twelfth in the last standings. On , it was announced you to definitely Earnhardt obtained the NMPA Most well known Driver Award toward 10th consecutive year. This fastened Costs Elliott’s move out-of ten successive victories on the honor.

At Fontana, Earnhardt become middle-pack and you can after a few errors in addition to a lengthy pit end considering skipped lug nuts on a right butt tire, the guy showed up domestic when you look at the 2nd-lay wind up, just in case the new circumstances head as a result of Brad Keselowski going of speed and you can losing back

Earnhardt been the latest 2013 seasons with a keen 8th-put end up throughout the rechristened Sprint Endless. He certified 11th to the Budweiser Duel, however, he blew a system used, he had been compelled to get rid of towards buttocks of profession. Immediately after narrowly shed a good 3-car wreck ranging from Carl Edwards, Trevor Bayne, and you will Regan Smith, the guy finished 9th. The guy complete last on DRIVE4COPD three hundred just after submarining below Alex Bowman’s vehicle during the a criminal past lap damage.

On Dash Mug Series, Earnhardt strike a slight revival, plus in the first four events of the year registered three Finest 5s and you will five Top finishes. They began which have an additional-lay end up so you’re able to teammate Jimmie Johnson during the Daytona 500, Earnhardt’s 3rd runner-up end about 500 because 2010. It was with a few even more Top 10 stops: 7th within Vegas and you can 6th on Bristol. 2 weeks later on in the Martinsville, Earnhardt struggled on the competition, and spun-out immediately following Danica Patrick is actually hit because of the Brian Vickers and you will delivered with the Earnhardt and finished up completing 24th, 2 laps down, dropping the newest points produce Jimmie Johnson.[34]

The second times at Phoenix, he led getting 47 laps, however, is actually shuffled back in site visitors while in the a cycle caution flag pit comes to an end, and that anticipate Carl Edwards to assume the lead while Junior done within the fifth lay

From the Texas, Earnhardt went close to the top up to lap 187, when his battery alternator stop and he wound-up completing 29th. In the Ohio, the guy went close to the front up until a dust caution taken place when you’re the guy, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and you may Carl Edwards was in fact all the to your gap roadway. Earnhardt do wade a good lap down, use the trend-as much as, and you may find yourself 16th. In the Richmond, the guy completed tenth. Within Talladega, the guy ran an excellent lap down very early immediately following particular banging having Joe Nemechek. Yet not, that have a warning to have a crash to your lap 43, Earnhardt got the totally free solution to acquire back to the lead lap. The guy generated his long ago upwards through the profession toward Ideal 5, but tucked back again to 17th in the bottom.