After low-key party, Junior focused on Sonoma
Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR (nascarmedia.com)
CHARLOTTE (AP) -- Turns out the victory party for Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn't much of a party at all.
Earnhardt snapped a 143-race winless streak at Michigan International Speedway, then celebrated at home in North Carolina with friends and family. He says they played music and stood around talking about the Sunday race late into the night.
It wasn't the wild party people expected for NASCAR's most popular driver. Although the nightclub he owns in downtown Charlotte reportedly gave away free drinks for an hour, Earnhardt says he preferred the private celebration.
He said Tuesday he's got to manage his excitement, along with the No. 88 team, to prepare for this weekend's road course race at Sonoma. His career-best finish there is 11th.
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