MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 29, 2007) – An engine failure prior to qualifying forced Jeffrey Earnhardt to accept a provisional starting position and begin Friday’s NASCAR Grand National Busch East Series race at New Hampshire International Speedway next to last, in 42nd place.

At the end of the New England 125, Earnhardt had forged a 15th-place finish and earned the $1,000 Powerade Power Move of the Race Award for gaining the most positions (27).

Earnhardt, in his first season in the Dale Earnhardt Inc. driver development program, didn’t mind starting near the rear of the 43-car field. “I can’t wait to get out there,” he said on race morning. “It’s going to be fun being able to pass all those cars and learn more.”

From the start of the race, the combination of a good handling car and pit stops timed to gain positions helped Earnhardt advance the Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet to 26th by lap 35 and 15th by the halfway mark of the 125-lap, 132.24-mile event.

Then, on lap 69, the No. 1 Monte Carlo was damaged in a multi-car accident. In spite of quick repairs by his Clinton Cram-led crew, Earnhardt had slipped back to 26th when the green flag waved on lap 76.

Only one week past his 18th birthday, the resilient young driver resumed his march toward the front. In the final 50 laps, he avoided accidents that produced six more caution periods and raced his way back to 15th at the finish.

After six of 13 Busch East events, Earnhardt now ranks 10th in the standings with 759 points, only five behind Jesus Hernandez in seventh and 36 behind Jamie Hayes in fifth.