Earnhardt Jr apologises over crash

Earnhardt Jr tapped the rear-end of Elliot Sadler's Dodge as they approached the chequered flag, causing the Evernham driver to lose control and hit the wall.

Last year's race winnner Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle and Kasey Kahne were also involved in the crash.

"It was my fault," Earnhardt Jr said afterwards. "I was really trying hard to help push Elliott (Sadler) and I got into him too soon. It was my mistake, and I apologise and take all the blame for all of the cars that got wrecked.

"He knew what happened. I mean, he's a great guy and we're too good of friends for me to do that to him. I was trying to help push him, and I just hit him before we were on the straightaway. I hate that it happened to him and guys like Denny (Hamlin) that are friends of mine as well."

Sadler, who was not in contention for victory, duly accepted Earnhardt's apology.

"I just think the No. 8 car got in the back of me coming off of turn four, nothing intentional, I talked with him right after the race," Sadler said. "It's just good, hard racing and caught me right where I was a little loose anyway.

"It's a shame to make it that far - almost all the way to the end - then have problems. I'm proud of my guys, they built a pretty good race car. We learned some stuff for Thursday so we should be fine."

The wreck forced the 70-lap race to be declered over under caution.