PEPSI CAR
WINS
PEPSI RACE
Daytona, FL: After all of the hoopla at qualifying on Thursday about the Coke C2 sponsored cars, Jeff Gordon takes the Pepsi sponsored #24 DuPont Chevrolet from the pole to the winner's circle at the Pepsi 400.
It appears that the Hendrick organization has discovered the key to restrictor plate racing. All of the Hendrick cars finished in the top 10 and Jeff won his 2nd restrictor plate race of the season.
Apparently, the recent DEI success at these tracks has stumbled. Although Dale Earnhardt, Jr and Michael Waltrip did hook up and lead at different intervals, the handling of both vehicles faded at the end of the race.
Two additional teams getting a handle on the super speedway were the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet and #20 Home Depot Chevrolet of Joe Gibbs Racing and the #6 Viagra Ford and #97 Sharpie Ford of Roush Racing.. All four finished in the top 10. Dodge is still searching for the restrictor plate enigma.. Casey Mears was the top finisher for that make, bringing the #41 Target Dodge in 11th.
To say the race was somewhat boring would be just short of unfair. There was a 1 hour and 49 minute rain delay during which we were treated to an extension of the FOX farewell (NBC takes over broadcasting this week at Chicago). But, the hashing and re-hashing of Tony Stewart's off track confrontation with Brian Vickers in Sonoma wore us out.
Once the race finally got underway, it started under yellow/green flag conditions. NASCAR, hoping to get the track dried further made the decision to start counting laps. This made little sense. Why not stay yellow until officials were satisfied with the track conditions? Were the 9 laps spent under the caution that advantageous, or was NASCAR worried about extending the race too far into FOX's regular Saturday night schedule?
Going green at lap 10, Jeff Gordon immediately lost the lead to Michael Waltrip in the #15 NAPA Chevrolet. Michael continued to lead until lap 57. At that point, Jr currently in 2nd place with the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet, had the much stronger car. Jr bumped Michael out of the way and took over the lead.
It started to look like the same old DEI dominance until a caution came out on lap 72. After Jr finished his pit stop and headed back onto the track, he was forced over onto the water soaked grass by Brian Vickers and Jeff Gordon, who were leaving their pit stalls. Fortunately, there was no damage to the Budweiser Chevrolet, but Jr lost several positions. Jeff Gordon retook the lead.
Michael Waltrip snatched the lead away from Jeff on lap 87 with Jr behind him and Tony Stewart in 3rd position. The next portion of the race was a display of teamwork and horsepower as the lead switched between Jr and Jeff. There was some major politicking going on up and down pit road as green flag pit stops approached. But while most of the front runners went for 4 tires, Tony Stewart decided on right side tires only. He came off pit road leading the race.
Tony had hopes that the field behind him would battle amongst themselves allowing him to stay in the lead. However, it didn't take long for the cars with the 4 fresh tires to catch up. Then, with 12 laps left, Jr made an amazing shift with his car, swinging from the outside lane below Jeff and Jimmie Johnson.. He darted past them and up behind Tony.
But the win was not to be for Tony or Jr. The #20 Home Depot Chevrolet got tight and with just the 2 tires, Tony could not hold the front position. The handling of Jr's car faded away and Jeff powered past them with 7 laps remaining and took the lead for good.
Jimmie Johnson finished 2nd in the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet. He retained his 27 point lead over Jr in
the Championship standings. Jr brought the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet in 3rd. Kurt Busch finished the
race 4th in the #97 Sharpie Ford. Tony Stewart was 5th in the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet. Mark Martin
was 6th in the #6 Viagra Ford. Bobby LaBonte came in 7th in the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet.
Terry Labonte finished 8th in the #5 Kelloggs Chevrolet with a Spiderman paint scheme. Brian Vickers
brought the #25 GMAC Chevrolet in 9th and Joe Nemechek was 10th in the #01 Army Chevrolet.
Article by S. Kipple
07/03/04
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