After a promising Homestead practice, Dale Jr. gets awful news that hurts his chance for a win


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If Dale Earnhardt is going to write that storybook ending and win at Homestead, he'll now have to overcome an obstacle.

Starting at the rear.

Dale Jr. had to change out engines, and that means he's penalized.

According to NASCAR.com, Earnhardt's car had trouble during opening practice . He went back to the garage and told the crew something in the engine had broken.

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This after Dale Jr.  raised eyebrows when he posted the second fastest time at practice, piloting his No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet at 170.681 mph. He trailed only Denny Hamlin, who's No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing ran the track at 171.130 miles per hour.