Saturday night's race very likely could be Dale Earnardt Jr.'s last chance to win at Daytona, and his chances just took a major hit after he crashed the No. 88 car on Lap 52 at the Coke Zero 400.
Earnhardt had a flat rear tire, Paul Menard was right behind him. The flat tire sent Earnhardt into the wall.
.@DaleJr.'s chances at one last win at @DISUpdates are heavily impacted after this crash. Watch the replay below. #NASCARonNBC #daletona pic.twitter.com/fkmrQZdbwu
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 2, 2017
Related: It might not be Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s last race at Daytona after all
The flat tire caused quite a bit of damage to the No. 88 car, and it sent Earnhardt into pit row.
Not what #JRNation wanted to see tonight. pic.twitter.com/E7KiWQ3kYM
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) July 2, 2017
The damage was not severe enough to keep Earnhardt out of the race, but he was later caught up in a big wreck after getting all the way back up to seventh place. He would not return.