Earnhardt Jr. Pays It Forward

As a fan, I can think of a million and one reasons not to leave the race until the checkered flags waves, but the one that trumps them all is that it's never over 'til it's over.

Jeff Burton proved that once again today by leading only one lap--the one that trumps them all--the last one.

If I was a driver, I can't say I see myself leaving the speedway until I saw my car loaded on the hauler and pulling away.

Apparently, Kyle Busch and I don't think alike.

On Lap 252 when Tony Stewart wrecked in front of the leaders and collected Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Busch in his wake, Busch took his car to the garage and went home.

Junior went to the pits and continued to make repairs for about 20 more laps, but the #8 car never fully recovered. After being shot up in the air and slamming back hard on the track, the handling was gone and lots of parts were beaten and banged up.

A few laps after Junior retired, the #5 team was ready to put the car back out on the track, but they had no driver --and Junior was the only one available. Always one to lend a hand if he can, he graciously obliged his competitor's team's request to take the wheel.

Junior doesn't even get anything out of the deal, except maybe some good will. Hendrick gets the owner points and Busch gets the driver points since he started the race. So the #5 car finished the race running and I'm pretty sure Junior got two positions back, giving Busch six more points. The team was grateful--Busch better be, too.

If they're had still been 8 more laps to go, Junior would have caught up to his own #8 car in the #36 position in the race. But he would have gotten out of the car before he'd put himself another position down ... Right?