Earnhardt crashes, loses Daytona 500 pole

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr., who had qualified for the pole position at next weekend's Daytona 500, lost it Wednesday after wrecking his car during a practice session.

The crash came after Earnhardt had gained the pole position Sunday at Daytona International Speedway amid preparations for a salute to his father on the 10-year anniversary of his death.

The elder Earnhardt, who won NASCAR's Cup Series championship seven times, died in an accident during the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.

Speedway officials said they will ask fans to observe a moment of silence for the legendary driver on the third lap of Sunday's race.

Earnhardt collided with Martin Truex Jr. on the front stretch of the Speedway. Truex crept up on Earnhardt from behind when traffic slowed down, bumping him out of turn four. Earnhardt's car slammed into the inside wall and bounced before plowing into the right front side of Truex.

As a result, Earnhardt will be relegated to the back row of the Daytona 500 pack but will retain credit for the pole position.