OOHH ATLANTA
BOBBY LABONTE WINS #6
Atlanta, GA: It didn't take Bobby long to take the lead in the Bass Pro Shop/MBNA 500. He moved to the front with relative ease in the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet. But, Joe Nemecheck, who had always run well here, snatched the lead away from Bobby. Joe's lead in the #25 UAW/Delphi Chevrolet did not last long as Hendrick team mate, Jeff Gordon, charged up from the 30th position to take over first in the #24 DuPont Chevrolet.
Four out of the top 5 cars, Bobby Labonte, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. who had maneuvered from the 37th starting position in the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet, and Tony Stewart, who kept his #20 Home Depot Chevrolet up front all day, traded positions throughout the first half of the race, each having led a number of laps. But Bobby was determined and when he took the lead again with 43 laps to go, it looked as though he would take the victory with ease.
Then, on a restart with only 17 laps remaining, Jeff Gordon jumped in front of Bobby. However, Bobby was not to be denied as he bumped the rear of Gordon, loosening him up enough to slide by and win the race. Atlanta Motor Speedway has always been a great track for Bobby. This was his 6th win in the past 12 races he has run there.
Matt Kenseth who finished the race in 3rd with the #17 DeWalt Ford and has taken over the points lead, fared better than the rest of his Roush team mates. Mark Martin in the #6 Viagra Ford blew his engine again this week. Kurt Busch also blew an engine in the #97 Rubbermaid Ford. Jeff Burton lasted until lap 308 before the engine gave out in the #99 Citgo Ford and Ricky Rudd, using a Roush engine as well in the #21 Motorcraft Ford, was also forced out of the race.
Other casualties in the race included Rusty Wallace in the #2 Miller Lite Dodge. He hit the wall on lap 175, But finished the race a respectable 15th. Pole sitter Ryan Newman had several problems including his power steering. The #12 Alltel Dodge finished 10th. Jimmie Johnson, who had been running in the front all day, blew the engine in the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet with just 17 laps to go.
There was a small wreck with Brett Bodine in the #11 Hooters Ford and Kenny Wallace in the #23 Stacker 2 Dodge on lap 145 due to smoke when Kurt Busch's engine blew. Then, a miscue on pit road caused a wreck with Steve Park in the #1 Pennzoil Chevrolet, Jerry Nadeau in the #01 U.S. Army Pontiac and John Andretti in the #43 Cheerios Dodge. Jerry Nadeau later struck the wall and was forced to leave the race. Steve Park, his crew chief and spotter were called to the "Big Red Truck" following the race.
But the day belonged to Bobby Labonte! After a dismal year in 2002, he appears to be well set
on his way to another championship in 2003.
Article by S. Kipple
3/09/03
Links
Website designed and maintained
by CSP
Media
original content (c)2002-2003 Dawn Church
Visit http://www.Virtual411.com
"Your Place" in cyberspace
Statements within are the opinions of their authors and do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of CSP Media and their affiliates.