RYANS MAGIC MILEAGE
WINS AT MICHIGAN
Brooklyn, MI: Ryan Newman took the lead from the start and flirted with the fuel game throughout the day. The #12 Alltel Dodge pitted for the last time with 65 laps remaining. Crew Chief, Matt Borland, worked his magic as he reassured his driver that he could make it to the finish with a little help from some cautions. Luckily for Ryan, the one caution that did occur was enough to get him to Victory Lane in the GFS Marketplace 400. Ryan now has 5 wins in 2003.
Kevin Harvick had taken the lead on lap 46. He, too, tried to use the fuel mileage strategy. His Busch win from the day before helped him to gauge his pit stops. He pitted on lap 141 taking fuel and 4 tires. He was sure he would make it back to the lead when other cars began to run out of fuel. The strong #29 Goodwrench Chevrolet did not foresee Ryan making it to the end. Kevin finished 2nd.
The #20 Home Depot Chevrolet had started back in 23rd. He powered his way up to the front several times, but could not take the lead. His 3rd place finish was his first top 10 since Chicago.
The race was not without its woes for the Championship leaders. Although Matt Kenseth succeeded in obtaining another top 10 with the #17 DeWalt Ford (9th), Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jeff Gordon did not fair as well. Before the race began, Jeff had a problem with the “kill switch”. On lap 41, the problem came up again causing him to lose several positions. Then, on lap 46, a tire went down forcing him to pit under green. Jeff went down a lap while the rest of the field continued on. He struggled throughout the day, never able to get the #24 DuPont Chevrolet back onto the lead lap. He ended the race 30th.
Dale Earnhardt Jr started the race 19th. He also had problems at the beginning of the race. He was extremely loose and fell back to 33rd. Fortunately, his crew was able to make adjustments during his first pit stop. The #8 Budweiser Chevrolet worked its way up to 7th by lap 72. His luck ran out on lap 79 as he was headed to pit road. Rusty Wallace was on his way to pit when his Crew Chief, Billy Wilburn yelled at him “Stay Out, Stay Out. Rusty went to swing back onto the track. His spotter didn’t tell him that Jr was there, so he collided with Jr. Rusty spun and continued back onto the track. Jr went ahead to his pit stall with left front damage. Then, on lap 90, he cut a tire on the left front that caused major body damage. He finished the race 32nd. Rusty Wallace later blew his engine, turning the #2 Miller Lite Dodge into a fireball. Rusty escaped unharmed.
Another frightening fiery crash occurred on lap 64. As Todd Bodine was passing Kenny Wallace, he pinched down on the #97 Rubbermaid Ford of Kurt Busch. Kurt pushed up into Todd turning him in front of Kenny. The #54 National Guard Ford hitched a ride on the #23 Stacker 2 Dodge and both cars erupted into flames. Kenny & Todd both climbed out of their vehicles with no injuries. Kurt Busch actually went on to lead the race for several laps. But, he became a victim of fuel mileage and ran out of gas with 3 laps left.
In addition to that wreck, the #32 Tide Pontiac of Ricky Craven struck the wall on lap 78. He bounced down the track and as Ricky tried to gain control, the car moved back up to the wall just as Casey Mears was going by. The #41 Target Dodge was launched into the wall. Once again, none of the drivers were injured.
Jimmy Spencer had a phenomenal day staying in the top 10 for quite some time. He even lead the race at lap 150. However, he was forced to pit with 16 laps left. He finished 26th.
Other great finishes included Greg Biffle 4th in the #16 Grainger Ford. He lead on lap 114, but
didn’t have the car to win. Steve Park finished superbly in 5th with the #30 AOL Chevrolet. Robby
Gordon was 6th in the #31 Cingular Chevrolet. Michael Waltrip brought the #15 NAPA Chevrolet in 7th.
Ken Schrader had an excellent finish. He had failed to qualify in the 2 previous races, but came in 8th
today in the #49 BAM Racing Dodge in 8th. Johnny Benson was 10th in the #10 Valvoline Pontiac.
Article by S. Kipple POST-RACE FEUD
8/17/03
Brooklyn, MI: The quarrel between Jimmy Spencer and Kurt Busch continued following the race at Michigan International Speedway yesterday. In the garage area, Jimmy Spencer drove his #7 Sirius Satellite Dodge into the #97 Rubbermaid Ford of Kurt Busch. Then, Spencer allegedly struck Kurt Busch in the face, possibly breaking his nose. Brooklyn, MI officials are considering pressing assault charges against Spencer. After speaking with both parties, NASCAR’s Mike Helton says they will deal with the situation appropriately.
Jimmy Spencer has been fined $25,000 and suspended for next week's race at Bristol. Both he and Kurt Busch have been put on probation until the end of the year.
Both parties plan to appeal.
Article by S. Kipple
8/18/03
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