ELATED JR
WINS PHOENIX
Phoenix, AZ: Dale Earnhardt, Jr heats up the desert to win the Checker Auto Parts 500. This was his first non-restrictor plate win since his victory at Dover in September of 2001.
Jr first took the lead on lap 86 and stayed there until lap 125 when Kurt Busch, in the #97 Rubbermaid Ford, took that position on a restart after a caution. The #8 Budweiser Chevrolet did not take the lead again until lap 262. Jr had nothing but praises for his entire crew who had worked so hard to get him the win in Phoenix today.
Jr exchanged a friendly rub with Ryan Newman, in the #12 Alltel Dodge, on his way to take the lead on lap 86. In his post race interview, Jr said he had fun competing with Ryan. He also enjoyed the battle getting past Jimmie Johnson and the #48 Lowes Chevrolet, saying Jimmie was a good, clean racer. Jr was extremely happy about his triumph and hopes this will help to prepare him for a good start in 2004.
Aside from Jr's excitement at winning, the race on the predominantly flat track did little to stimulate our senses. At one point, a small pack of cars formed to battle for position. But that was early in the race and was not enough to keep us from switching channels to watch our favorite football teams during commercials.
There was a spark of interest at the synchronized spins of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge of Rusty Wallace and the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet of Tony Stewart that also took Kevin Harvick with the #29 Goodwrench Chevrolet and Bobby Labonte's #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet out of the race on lap 230. Jimmy Spencer took a hard hit into the outside wall with the #7 Sirius Dodge and other single car wrecks included Ricky Craven in the #32 Tide Pontiac and Steve Park in the #30 AOL Chevrolet. Fortunately, no drivers were injured.
The top 5 in the Championship points standings took a turn. Kevin Harvick dropped from 3rd to 6th due to his accident. Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman each moved up a spot. Jr remained 2nd. Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte stayed at 7th and 8th. But, Kurt Busch moved up to 9th, knocking Bill Elliott and Terry Labonte back a spot.
Let's hope the added banking at Homestead will make that a better race to end the season and
encourage other flat tracks to make the same improvements.
Article by S. Kipple
11/02/03
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