Earnhardt plans Pocono

Second degree burns to Earnhardt's legs and neck, sustained in a fiery ALMS crash at Sears Point last weekend, made it too difficult for the DEI driver to continue. Earnhardt completed the 62 laps run until the first caution, so that he could notch up valuable points, before giving way to Busch Series front-runner Truex during a pitstop that took just 37s.

"My injuries really hurt bad," Earnhardt said afterwards. "It's a pain I ain't never felt before. But I was in two burn centres and saw some people in there that are a lot worse off than I was. It made me really appreciate how lucky I was to get out of there with just the little burns I've got."

Truex will not be available at Pocono because of his Busch Series commitments at Pikes Peak in Colorado, but DEI team officials remain hopeful that Junior will be fit. The team has admitted that contracted driver John Andretti could take the seat.

"The plan is to rest and take it easy this week so I'll be ready to do 500 miles," said Earnhardt. "The burns heal a little more every day, but I'm still in a lot of pain. I felt pretty good inside the car, but I'm going to need all my strength.

"Pocono can wear you out even when you're 100 percent healthy. I couldn't have done 300 laps at New Hampshire but I'm going to do all I can to get through this and be ready to go this week. I owe it to my team."