NASCAR'S WISH COME TRUE
Daytona, FL: It appears the fuel cell issue finally made a difference in a high speed restrictor plate race. Thankful the "Big One" never happened Saturday night at the Pepsi 400.
The race began with the usual edge of your seat anticipation, 43 cars nose to tail, inches apart, catching the draft, and jockeying for position. It was a delight to watch as drivers actually worked to keep the powerful DEI team of Michael Waltrip in the #15 Napa Chevrolet and Dale Earnhardt, Jr in the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet from hooking up. The first pit sequence still left most of the pack together and Kevin Harvick in the #29 Goodwrench Chevrolet was able to keep the lead for the first 56 laps.
The only wreck came on lap 75 when the right rear tire on Kurt Busch's #97 Irwin Ford went down causing him to spin. Behind him, Robby Gordon* did not react in time and he struck Kurt. The #31 Cingular Chevrolet pushed up the track gathering Steve Park in the #30 AOL Chevrolet, Ricky Craven in the #32 Tide Pontiac, Mike Wallace in the #01 U.S. Army Pontiac, and Jamie McMurray in the #42 Havoline Dodge. Miraculously, no other cars were involved, as everyone was able to dive down to the widened pavement in turn 2 and avoid the crash.
That was the last caution of the race and fuel strategy became the name of the game. When the field was told there was 1 lap to go before the race went back to green, some drivers jumped back onto pit road for a splash of gas to top off. This group included Gregg Biffle in the #16 Grainger Ford and Bobby Labonte in the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet.
When the next round of pit stops occurred, these cars were able to stay out longer, causing the field to stretch out. As fuel mileage dictated the final pit sequences, smaller groups of cars pitted together and the pack was broken up. The cars having the better fuel mileage were able to knock off the more powerful engines. Many of the top ten cars had not finished a restrictor plate race as high in quite a long time.
Greg Biffle was the first rookie to ever win a race at Daytona! Jeff Burton came in 2nd in the #99 Citgo Ford. Ricky Rudd finished 3rd in the #21 Motorcraft Ford. Terry Labonte brought the #5 Kellogg's Chevrolet in 4th. Bobby Labonte was able to coast in at 5th. Matt Kenseth came back to finish 6th in the #17 Smirnoff Ice Triple Black Ford, Dale Earnhardt Jr came in 7th. Jeremy Mayfield a surprising 8th in the #19 Dodge Dealers Dodge. Kevin Harvick a strong finish in 9th. And, Dale Jarrett escaping another DNF, finished 10th in the #88 UPS Ford.
Will the smaller fuel cell play some part in the upcoming race in Talledega? Or, will the teams figure out a new strategy to conquer the next restrictor plate race? Come back on September 28th to see.
*Robby later returned to the race and lost the hood of his car. It flew into the crowd and injured
one person.
Article by S. Kipple
7/05/03
Links
Website designed and maintained
by CSP
Media
original content (c)2002-2004 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.