Winston Cup Commentary...


Virginia 500 , Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, Virginia, April 13th, 2003:

Pre-Race Festivities:
**Driver Introductions**
**Invocation**
**Pledge of Allegiance**
**God Bless America**
**National Anthem**

Gentlemen! Start your engines!
**Engines started**
Steve: Test 1,2. You got me?
John: Test 1,2,3. Got you.
Gary: The air conditioner working okay, John?
John: Do what?
Gary: **Repeats**
John: I'm fine.
Pace Laps:
Gary: John, if you look over to your left, here we are.
John: 10-4.
Steve: Need your RPM when you get caught up there, John.
John: Hang on.
John: 4300. 4300, 2nd gear.
Steve: Copy, 4300.
Steve: It will be 1 to go next time by.
John: 10-4. 1 to go next time by.
Steve: Alright. Make sure your gear fan's on, your brake fans are on and have a good day. Remember it's 500 laps. Be patient.
John: 10-4. All fans are on.
Steve: Green flag next time.
John: 10-4. Green flag next time by.
Steve: Pace car's off. Get ready. Ready. Green flag. Green, green, green.
Green flag:
**Note:** (Lap 2) Passed Kyle.
**Note:** (Lap 4) In Turn 3 #30 hard into RR. A great save.
Steve: (Lap 6) Gary, we've got a RR tire rub. Doesn't look serious.
John: (Lap 12) I don't have good traction. I need much better traction.
Gary: 10-4.
**Note:** (Lap 14) #88 hard into our bumper in Turns 1/2.
**Note:** (Lap 17) Fought off the #88.
**Note:** (Lap 20) John 34th, Kyle 38th.
**Note:** (Lap 23) Extremely loose off Turn 2. Lost 2 spots.
**Note:** (Lap 30) Kyle 38th, John 39th.
Gary: (Lap 30) Leader is at the line......now.
John: (Lap 31) **interference** <==Having major trouble getting around the #41.
Steve: (Lap 33) Leader is at the line...now.
John: (Lap 33) Don't tell me where the "f-bomb" leader is. I'm doing the best I can.
Gary: Just keeping you informed, John.
John: 10-4.
**Note:** (Lap 37) Lapped under green.
**Note:** (Lap 42) FINALLY by the #41.
**Note:** (Lap 44) Kyle lapped under green.
John: Is that a lead lap car behind me?
Steve: The #7 is on the lead lap.
**Note:** (Lap 68) Kyle way loose off Turn 2. Lost 2 spots.
Steve: Got a spin off of 2. Protect yourself. Leader is off of 4. Leader is off of 4.
Caution Lap 78: #01 of Nadeau does a 360 out of Turn 2.
John: I've got the worst traction. I cannot get on the gas at all. It will not go forward at all.
Gary: Dustin take a pound and a half out of both rears. Ernie, we're going to take the rubber out of the RR. Make sure the fender is clear of the tire. Russ, drop the track bar 2 turns.
Steve: Pit second time by.
Gary: Steve, if you could, let me know when the pace car is in the middle of the backstretch. Actually when he's off of 2.
Steve: It's off of 2.
Gary: We'll have an open pit in front of us. Stop him long, Randy.
Steve: I believe the tire rub is on the lower part of the back side of the quarter panel.
Steve: Okay, on pit road now.
Gary: Come around the #02. There you go.
**Note:** My pit stop times this event are MERE guesses. I could NOT see the "stop" nor could I see the "drop" due to being in Pit# 38 in Turn 4.
Pit Stop: (Lap 81) 22.47 seconds. 4 tires, fuel, drop pressure on both rears, down on track bar and RR rubber out.
Gary: All clear, all clear.
Kyle's Pit Stop (Lap 81).
Gary: Good pit stop guys.
Steve: They're stopped coming off the pits.
Gary: It will be 1 to go next time by.
Steve: Green flag next time by.
Steve: Pace car's in the middle of the backstretch.
**Note:** Kyle running 32nd; John 39th; both (-1).
Steve: There you go. Get ready. Ready. Green flag. Green, green, green.
Restart Lap 84
Steve: Spin in Turn 4.
Caution Lap 119: #21 of Rudd spins in Turn 4.
John: I'm still struggling with it. I fight the rear in the middle and I don't have enough forward bite, still.
Gary: 10-4. Russ, we'll drop the track bar another turn. Ernie, try and get that rubber in the LR.
John: Can you take any more air out of the rears?
Gary: We can take another half pound.
John: I think we're just too stiff in the back.
Steve: Pace car's off 2.
John: **interference.**
Gary: Yeah, we'll have one shot at it and then we'll have come back around and try it again.
Gary: You'll have a clear shot in here. You'll have to come around the #37; he's 3 pit stalls away.
Steve: On pit road.....now.
Gary: 2 away. Come on.
Pit Stop: (Lap 121) 20.16 seconds. 4 tires, fuel, down on track bar, rubber in LR.
Gary: All clear, all clear.
Steve: 4300.
Kyle's Pit Stop (Lap 121)
Steve: Watch the fuel can up high there, John.
Gary: We've only got 124 laps completed yet and there's only 27 cars left on the lead lap so we'll keep working on it and getting better and work on getting our lap back.
John: 10-4.
Steve: 1 to go next time by.
**Note:** Kyle running 32nd; John 39th; both (-1).
Steve: Green flag next time by.
John: 10-4.
Steve: Pace car's off. Get ready. Ready. Green flag.
Restart Lap 126
**Note:** (Lap 141) Finally passed the #74.
Gary: (Lap 191) Way to hang tough, John. Keep digging.
**Note:** This had to be the best racing of the day. John had been successfully fighting off Earnhardt, Jr from going 2 laps down for over 40 laps by masterfully maneuvering around lap traffic.
**Note:** (Lap 197) Lapped under green; down 2 laps.
Gary: (Lap 220) Lap times half way seem to be better when you run on the bottom.
**Note:** Looks tough to keep it on the bottom.
Steve: Spin. Spin off of 2. Protect yourself. Leader is in Turn 3.
Steve: Leader has the caution.
Caution Lap 242: #19 of Mayfield spins out of Turn 2.
Gary: Pit road is closed at the moment. We'll get caught up. It will be second time by. Have I helped the traction at all?
John: Yeah, but not enough.
Gary: Is it still sliding around getting into the corner?
John: Yeah. I'm fighting it through the middle; it doesn't have side bite at the rear. It would be easier if it pushed because then you don't get the car laying over. Then coming off it's just way too stiff at the rear.
Gary: Let's try unhooking the rear bar.
Steve: Leaders are pitting this time.
Gary: We'll have an open pit behind us. Stop him short.
Steve: Pace car off of 2.
Steve: On pit road now.
Gary: Stop 3 ahead of the #30. Come on left, left.
Pit Stop: (Lap 246) 18.88 seconds. 4 tires, fuel, unhooked the rear bar.
Gary: All clear, all clear.
Steve: Stopped at the end of pit road.
John: Spencer just passed a whole bunch of us. That's bull%#^#.
Steve: They're getting him back there.
Steve: 1 to go next time by. 1 to go next time by.
John: 10-4.
Steve: Okay get ready. Pace car's off. Ready. Green flag. Green, green, green.
Restart Lap 249
John: (Lap 260) You can tell the #29 if he quits driving into me I'll let him by.
Steve: Caution's out. Track is clear. The #01 is on the high side of 3. Leader has the caution.
Caution Lap 270: #01 of Nadeau slows out of Tunr 2, stops in Turn 3.
Gary: Any difference, John?
John: Yeah, it's a little bit better. It's still not enough.
Gary: Russ, we'll drop the track bar 1 more turn. Dustin, put a half pound in both fronts.
John: Don't make the front slide any more than it already is.
Gary: **to Dustin** Nevermind. Russ, drop the track bar a turn and a half.
John: As a matter of fact the front tires could use a little less pressure 'cause they want to slide too.
Gary: Was pit road open this time?
Steve: 10-4.
John: Is it a "quickie" yellow?
Steve: No.
Gary: Pit this time.
Steve: On pit road now.
Gary: It's going to be right side tires. Just right side tires.
Pit Stop: (Lap 273) 7.34 seconds. 2 tires, fuel, down on track bar.
Gary: Clear. All clear, all clear.
**Note:** Heard over the track's PA system that Kyle was being held in the pits for pitting too soon. It didn't look like it since there was no official standing in front of the car. The crew seemed to be either making Kyle a bit more comfortable or adjusting the window net. Additionally, the rule for pitting too soon is to restart at the longest line, not to be held in the pits.
Gary: We'll stay out and try this and get us a little track position.
Steve: Safety truck on the low side off of 2 and the high side into 3.
Gary: We only got 20 laps on our lefts.
John: Yeah, 10-4.
Steve: Saefty truck on the high side just ahead of you.
John: I see him.
Gary: How's your brakes doing?
John: They're going to be worn out when I get done. Right now they're doing okay.
Gary: We've got 220 laps to go. It will be 1 to go next time by.
John: 10-4.
Steve: Pace car's off. Get ready. Ready. Green flag. Green, green, green.
Restart Lap 283
**Note:** (Lap 287) The rear of the field checked up coming out of Turn 2. Kyle slammed into the rear of the #41. Grill seemed to be okay, but just above the grill on the lower part of the hood, the hood was punched in and down.
Steve: (Lap 291) Clear all around. Keep coming. Looks okay, John. Keep coming.
**Note:** Bottle neck in 3 and 4 caused by #49/#88. John almost got by but straightened the #88 out with the RF.
Steve: Caution's out. Spin in Turn 4. Track's clear. Leader is coming off of 4 now.
Caution Lap 293: #0 of Sprague spins in Turn 4.
John: Somebody spun Dale Jarrett and I hit him in the front, straightened him out.
Gary: Gene, make sure you get that fender off the tire.
Gary: We'll pit the second time by. Keep me informed on the pace car, Steve.
Steve: 10-4.
Gary: ...when we're on pit road.
Steve: We have damage, but I've seen no smoke from a tire rub.
John: It was rubbing at the end of the front straigtaway. I saw that.
Gary: Dustin, you get the tire on there and start working the fender off.
Steve: Pace car's off 2.
Gary: Planning on 4, but I'll let you know if it's only 2.
Steve: On pit road now.
Gary: Come on. 2 away.
Gary: Take it off with a baseball bat.
Steve: Pace car into 1.
Gary: Just need 2. Get that fender off of there.
Steve: Pace car off of 2.
Gary: Come on. Come on. We've got to go.
Steve: Middle of the backstretch. Good shape.
Pit Stop: (Lap 296) 2 tires, fuel, fix RF.
Gary: How is it Dustin?
Gary: Come back in here, John, and get left sides.
Steve: On pit road now.
Gary: We'll do just the left sides. Don't worry about the RF fender.
Steve: Middle of the backstretch.
Gary: Gotta go.
Pit Stop: (Lap 298) 2 tires, fuel.
Steve: Into 3. Good shape.
Gary: It will be 1 to go when you get back over here.
Steve: Pace car's off. #45's going to let you ahead. Get ready. Ready. Green flag, green, green.
Restart Lap 299
**Note:** (Lap 310) RF seems to be flapping around. Brake ducts???
Steve: Caution coming out for debris. Leader has the flag.
Caution Lap 318:Debris in Turn 2.
John: It seems like I slide more out the back with that change. We need to go back up on that or put a pound back in up front.
Gary: Put the pound back in the front, Dustin. Tucker, put 2 rounds down in the LR. We'll get just right side tires only.
Steve: Pit road was open to the leaders that time by.
John: It's still getting tight in the center. Now the rear wants to lay over and swing so that's why I think the changes we made were too much. The rear is not as tough; but either way we stay tight.
Gary: Make sure, Dustin, when you get the RF tire down make sure the fender is still up and clear.
Steve: Pace car is at the end of the backstretch.
John: I got hit again in the rear when the yellow came out so you might want to look at it. Look around the back and make sure nothing was taken off.
Steve: On pit road now.
Gary: Come around the #31.
Gary: Rear of the car is fine.
Pit Stop: (Lap 319) 10.47 seconds. 2 tires, fuel.
Gary: Everybody who was over the wall **interference**, gas man you can fill it up, work on the RF and make it look **interference**
John: Okay, here I come.
Steve: On pit road now.
Gary: Come around the #31.
Steve: Pace car in the middle of the backstretch.
Pit Stop: (Lap 320) 14.47 seconds. 2 tires, fuel, work on RF.
Steve: Lights are back on the pace car. No start, no start.
Gary: Steve, take a look at the RF tire.
Steve: Green flag next time by.
Steve: Looks like we're clear.
Steve: Looks clear to me.
John: 10-4.
Steve: John, get ready. Ready. Green flag.
Restart Lap 324
Steve: Go high, go high, go high.
Steve: There is a caution.
Caution Lap 347: #77 of Blaney spins in Turn 4.
Gary: Andy, get the rest of that piece off of there.
John: I've got a LOT better traction, but I need to be able to turn now. If you can do that, that's great. If not, I understand.
Gary: Take a half pound out of the RF.
Gary: We'll get the tire on. We'll do right sides first. We'll just put the tire on, finish cutting that piece off of there. Then we'll come back around and do lefts.
Steve: Pace car in the middle of the backstretch.
John: Run that by me again.
Gary: We're going do 2 tires **breaks up**
John: 10-4.
Steve: On pit road now.
Steve: Pace car off of 2.
Steve: Middle of the backstretch.
Pit Stop (Lap 350) 26.09 seconds. 2 tires, fuel.
Gary: We'll get caught up and then come back and get lefts if they don't give us 1 to go.
Steve: Pace car in 1.
Gary: Come back in here and get lefts.
Steve: On pit road now.
Steve: Pace car middle of the backstretch.
Steve: Good shape.
Pit Stop (Lap 351) 8.53 seconds. 2 tires, fuel.
John: You want me in again or we all set?
Gary: You're good.
Steve: 1 to go next time by.
Steve: Pace car's off. Get ready. Ready. Green flag.
Restart Lap 354
John: (Lap 356) Are you there or is your radio dead?
**Note:** In my opinion, I was wondering that quite often during the event.
Steve: Still outside.
John: (lap 357) You could have got me up high earlier.
**Note:** (Lap 364) #10 very loose in Turn 2. Nice save.
Gary: (Lap 400) 100 laps to go.
**Note:** (Lap 422) Lapped under green; down 3 laps.
Steve: Caution is out. Protect yourself. Spin in Turn 2.
Caution Lap 435: #12 of Newman spins in Turn 2.
Gary: What can I do to help it, John?
John: It still doesn't turn in the middle and still doesn't have traction up off. It's just sliding. It feels like the whole car is just too stiff.
Gary: Can you stand anymore rear brake?
John: Yeah. At the beginning of the race I was running it at the front, but as it tightened up I was running more at the back. I know I keep locking up the RF coming in there when I turn hard to get in.
Steve: Pit road was open to the leaders last time by.
Gary: Russ, up on the track bar half a turn. Up on the track bar one half.
Gary: It's going to be 4 tires.
Steve: On pit road now.
Gary: 2 away, come on.
Pit Stop (Lap 438) 15.43 seconds. 4 tires, fuel, up on track bar.
**Note:** This pit stop time was accurate. I had walked towards their pit preparing to leave.
Gary: All clear, all clear.
Steve: Pace car's off. Get ready. Ready. Green flag.
Restart Lap 444
Steve: Caution is out. Protect yourself. Protect yourself.
Caution Lap 446: #32 of Craven into Turn 2 wall.
Gary: Pit road is closed and we are going to stay out.
John: 10-4 on staying out.
Gary: We're racing the #0 and the #77 for position on our lap.
Steve: 1 to go next time by.
John: 10-4.
Gary: We have 50 laps to go.
John: 10-4.
Steve: Green flag next time by.
Steve: Pace car's off. Get ready. Ready. Green flag.
Restart Lap 452
Steve: Spin. Go high. Keep coming, keep coming. Leader is off of 4. Leader has the caution.
Caution Lap 487: #5 of T Labonte spins off Turn 2 just barely hitting the inside wall.
Steve: This is going to be a quick yellow.
John: You want me to come in?
Gary: No, we've got 12 laps to go. I want to stay out.
John: 10-4.
Gary: This will be a single file restart. Lead lap cars up in front.
John: 10-4.
Gary: It will be 1 to go when you come back around.
John: 10-4 on 1 to go.
John: What does the #0 think he's doing?
Steve: You're ahead of him, John.
Steve: Green flag next by.
Gary: 3 to go when you get the green.
Steve: Pace car's off. Get ready. Ready. Ready. Green flag.
Restart Lap 493
Steve: Spin coming off 4. Stay high. Keep coming, keep coming, keep coming. Come on. No yellow.
Steve: Another spin coming off 2. Stay high. Keep digging. Caution's out. Track is clear to the stripe.
Caution Lap 498: #17 of Kenseth spins in Turn 4 creating a smoke screen; then #97 of Busch spins and stalled in Turn 2.
Gary: 1 more lap to go.
John: Who do they got us scored as? Me or the #0?
Gary: It's whoever beat who back to the line. I don't have a real good 'vantage point.
Steve: I think the #0 got us....at the stripe.
John: No, I don't think so. I don't think so.
Checkered flag



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