Earnhardt, Johnson to start at back at Michigan

BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson will start at the back of the pack in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway.

Earnhardt snapped a four-year losing streak in June with a victory at MIS. He rubbed against the wall in Saturday's practice and will have to go to a backup car. Johnson, the series points leader, changed engines.

Johnson was third in qualifying Friday. Earnhardt was 22nd.

Earnhardt has tested his backup car at MIS, back in June.

Johnson says his team discovered an issue before practice Saturday and decided to change the engine instead of risking a crash.

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