2012 recap: Earnhardt made the Chase for the second consecutive year, but his playoff run was halted when he missed two Chase races as he recovered from a concussion. It was the first time in his 13-year Cup career that Earnhardt had missed a race due to an injury.

But it was one of his best seasons overall. Earnhardt won a race (Michigan in June) for the first time in four years, and his 20 top-10s were the most he's had since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2008.