A DIFFERENT DAYTONA
Daytona Beach, FL: It wasn't the DEI dominance that was different. Michael Waltrip, in the #15 NAPA Chevy won his 2nd Daytona 500 in the past 3 years. No, it was the race itself that had changed its complexion.
For the past several years, we have watched restrictor plate races with packs of cars going around the track lap after lap. We waited on the edge of our seats for the "Big One" to happen, hoping our favorite driver would not be involved.
This year, however, the field was spread out more. There was even some passing! Although the cars in the front did tend to stay there, some drivers did maneuver their way through the traffic to make an attempt at the lead. Unfortunately, as the race was beginning to get interesting, Mother Nature got involved and the race ended far too soon.
Jeff Green started the race on the pole in the #30 AOL Chevy, but it didn't take long for DEI to make their presence known as Michael shot to the front to lead the first lap. The first set of pit stops began on lap 35 and seemed to go smoothly until Jeff Burton's catch can was left in. When it came out and went bouncing down the track, it was lucky that it didn't strike any one. Jeff did have to bring the #99 Citgo Ford in for a stop and go penalty.
On lap 43, Bobby Labonte took a spin in the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevy. Fortunately, no one else was involved. Then, a frightening incident occurred when Ward Burton's #22 Caterpillar Dodge tapped the left rear of Ken Schrader. The #49 1-800-CALLATT Dodge swerved left knocking into the #12 ALLTEL Dodge. Ryan Newman bounced into the wall which caught his left rear wheel pulling it off of the car. He came across the track, was swept up and pirouetted on his nose before rolling over and over down the front stretch. The entire rear axle was ripped from the car. It was with great relief that we saw Ryan get out of the car and walk to the ambulance uninjured.
Bobby Labonte was also caught up in that wreck. As he ducked down pit road, Ken Schrader, who had lost the ability to steer, came across the infield and pushed Bobby into the pit wall. Both drivers were released from the care unit without injury.
Another wreck occurred when Jeff Green's tire blew out and Jimmy Spencer's #7 Sirius Dodge was driven into the outside wall. Ward Burton slammed into the wall as well when his tire blew. Once again, the "Big One" was avoided.
We are left to wonder what may have occurred if the race had continued. Would Jr have been able to make up his lap and maneuver his way back to the front? Could Jimmy Johnson and Jeff Gordon pair up and sling shot past Michael Waltrip? What about Sterling Marlin? He was black flagged on lap 73 when he went below the dreaded yellow line. Would pit strategies have been a deciding factor?
There were so many scenarios that could have taken place.
We'll have to wait for the Pepsi 400 in July to see how these will play out.
Article by S. Kipple
2/16/03
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