Dale Jr. without Tony Jr.

Surpisingly, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the highest qualifying Chevrolet car for the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. He will start Sunday's race fourth.
It was surprising for a couple of reasons.
One, the Hendrick Motorsports cars have been winning poles at a blistering pace all year and have qualified high in almost every race.
Two, Earnhardt Jr. is without his crew chief, Tony Eury Jr., who was suspended for having an illegal rear wing attachment on his driver's car for the race at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. Tony Gibson is the team's interim crew chief. Eury Jr. can return to the team after July 4, a suspension that amounts to seven races, including the All Star Challenge.
"I am just concentrating on the race this weekend, concentrating on qualifying, trying to give Tony Gibson all the information I can and make this situation as comfortable for his as I possibly can," said Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Inc. "He is a great guy and going to do a good job for us this weekend. Tony, Jr. has given him all the information he can to make this as workable as possible. I am very confident that Tony (Gibson) is going to do a great job. It is child's play to him, he has been in this sport for a long time. I am really glad he is in a position he is to fill in a roll like this."
Even though Eury is suspended and can't be at the race track, he has been in contact with the team and Earnhardt Jr.
"I don't think the phone ever hung up with Tony, Jr. giving us as much help as he could to get us comfortable with what we needed for a setup and help Tony (Gibson)," Earnhardt Jr said. "But I have a lot of confidence in our team and how we are going to run this weekend. Everyone has really stepped up and is working hard to get us the finishes we need."