Thus began a long, productive conversation over the radio in which crew chief Steve Letarte detailed why he thought Junior should stay out on the track before ultimately leaving the decision solely to the driver, who said he was coming in to pit. Earnhardt changed his mind and stayed out -- his tire held up and showed no external damage on his next pit stop. The result of that change-of-mind led to the team's continued off-cycle pit strategy, and a late-race caution on Lap 169 of 200 allowed Junior to stay out. It was Earnhardt's second top-five in the past three races and it came at a track where the No. 88 struggled in Friday qualifying, not advancing out of the first round and starting Sunday's Pure Michigan 400 from the 25th position. More...