Earnhardt Jr. takes pole for Daytona 500
With so much talk about the 10th anniversary of his father's death, Dale Earnhardt Jr. managed to put all his focus on the track and secured the pole position for this weekend's Daytona 500.
"I'm here to race," he told the Associated Press. "And I understand the situation and I'm looking forward to seeing how my father is honored and remembered throughout the week, and I'll enjoy that, but I don't really get into the hypothetical, fairy-tale sort of stuff. I just want to focus on my job."
(See the AP story related below about the 10th anniversary of Earnhardt's death.)
More motor racing

Kurt Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick inducted into NASCAR Hall of Fame
3m read

Alex Palou ordered to pay McLaren Racing $12M in breach of contract suit
3m read

Williams to miss opening F1 preseason test after 'delays' getting new car ready
1m read

NASCAR chairman Jim France's car wins Rolex 24 pole, then gets disqualified
3m read