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Dale Earnhardt Jr. has rough start to Pocono weekend

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series AAA 400 Drive for Autism - Practice

DOVER, DE - JUNE 03: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover International Speedway on June 3, 2017 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

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First, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was to have driven a car with Philadelphia Eagles logos on it before the NFL nixed that last week.

Then just a few minutes into Friday’s lone NASCAR Cup practice of the day at Pocono Raceway, Earnhardt had an issue with the engine.

The team was forced to change the engine during the session. NASCAR confirmed that Earnhardt will start at the rear of the field in Sunday’s race because of the change.

Earnhardt enters this weekend 22nd in the points. He is 99 points out of the final playoff spot at the halfway point of the 26-race regular season.