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Dale Earnhardt Jr. slides into Danica Patrick early at Sonoma

In what likely will be his final Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a busy afternoon in Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350.

Earnhardt, who started 10th in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, picked up two positions on the opening lap to move to eighth. By Lap 6, Earnhardt had gained two more spots and was up to sixth, falling back a spot on Lap 9 when Kevin Harvick passed him.

But then disaster on Lap 13.

As he attempted to pass Danica Patrick for sixth place heading into Turn 11, Earnhardt spun inside of her to bring out the first caution.