Earnhardt, Jr., Others Forced To Backups After Practice Crash

Talladega, AL -- (Sports Network) - A crash during Friday afternoon's final practice at the Talladega Superspeedway will force five teams to use their backup cars for Sunday's Amp Energy 500. Less than 10 minutes into the practice, championship "Chase" contender and five-time Talladega winner Dale Earnhardt, Jr. blew a right-rear tire, triggering a six-car pileup on the backstretch.

Earnhardt, Jr. led a pack of cars when his tire exploded. The No.88 Chevrolet driver spun and smacked the wall, severely damaging the rear end of his car. David Gilliland was running right behind Earnhardt, Jr. when the incident occurred. Gilliland also sustained heavy damage to his No.38 Ford.

"It was wild," Gilliland said. "Junior just blew a right rear tire. It just blew up."

Kasey Kahne, David Reutimann, Clint Bowyer and Tony Stewart were also involved in the accident.

"I just saw tires flying and then smoke," Kahne said. "I didn't know really where to go. I hit it a little bit, but it tore up the front of the car bad enough that we'll definitely need to go to our backup car."

Bowyer and Stewart are also in this year's "Chase."

Stewart is the only driver involved who will not be forced to use his backup car. Stewart made slight contact with Gilliland and Kahne, but damage on his No.20 Toyota was repairable.

Earnhardt, Jr. and Kahne did return to the track in their backup cars in the final minutes of practice.

Qualifying for the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega is slated for Saturday morning. The green flag is scheduled to drop Sunday around 2 p.m. (et).