Not impressed by his one-lap qualifying effort, KACSPORTS predicted a 35th place finish on CDM Checkered Flag Challenge�s BBS board. As it turned out Park would exceed even those expectations as the #1 fell back into the clutches of everyone before the field even hit Turn 1. By the time the field hit the backstretch Park suddenly found himself alongside NASCAR�s jinxed poster-child in Ryan Newman.

By swallowing finishes of 39th, 38th, and now 42nd in the month of April, not to mention the 43rd back in Daytona, Newman finds himself as the current front-runner to succeed Ward Burton as this year�s Andy Houston award winner. Ryan finds himself 25th in the standings, just ahead of Kenny Wallace. And you�d think FOX would finally decide that it is not a good idea to even try to interview him these days. Someone tried to get a word from in the garage, where Newman pointed his thumb at the reporter as if to say �GET LOST, NOW!!!!!� before grabbing a hammer to help in the repairs himself.

As far as Park is concerned, this may be the final nail in the coffin, as his name had already been mentioned in replacement rumors. The sponsor as well as driver contract is up following 2003, and it is possible that DEI could even contract to a two-car team. Kenny Wallace did well in Park�s absence in 2001-02, but wouldn�t be a long term solution. The likes of Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch have also been mentioned regarding DEI rumors in the past, but the contracts of Rosch drivers are long-term and usually set in cement. Kenseth in fact is locked in through 2007.

Some of the other stories regarding the California Race are as follows�

Robby Gordon/Jimmy Spencer � Two Most Despised Driver candidates were moving up through the field early before coming in contact with each other. Of course DW was all excited in the booth (�MONGO LIKE THAT�), but it was probably little coincidence that both cars would go straight south after that and finish 27th and 33rd respectively.

Tony Stewart � For the first time this year the #20 looked simply dominant but may had used up too much car in the process, breaking a piston and blowing up after leading 100 of the first 128 laps. Stewart was surprisingly upbeat in an ensuing FOX interview, in part because he knew he at least had a great car and that a chance for redemption at another favorite track (Richmond) is forthcoming.

Jeff Gordon � The #24 was way off all weekend, but Gordon somehow remained on the lead lap and after a major adjustment was able to salvage an 11th place showing.

Jamie McMurray � Where did this come from??? The #42 was the best car on the track (besides Stewart) for most of the day, a late tire rub hampered him late and resulted in a fifth place finish.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. � Made an engine change after Happy Hour for the second time in three weeks, and was one of seven cars to start at the back. As usual, it did not take the #8 to make his charge to the front, and consistent 14-flat stops by the crew helped matters further. However, a crucial mistake was made on the final green-flag stop when the jack was released with three lugs that had not been tightened. Junior would restart in the front of the lapped cars and would outrace the leader before a Jerry Nadeau spin brought out another caution to get the lap back. No truth to the rumor that Michael Waltrip was ready to throw a water bottle out the window had Jerry not spun. Junior would then make another pit then rally on fresh tires in the waning laps to place sixth, maintaining second in the standings 44 points behind Matt Kenseth.

Michael Waltrip � Very quiet all day, but ends a four race slide winds up just behind his teammate in seventh place, and is still sixth in points.

Rusty Wallace � So close!!!!! Russell leads 54 laps but could not get by Bobby LaBonte and Kurt Busch late, and has to settle for third making Wallace�s winless streak an even two years, the longest drought in his career.

Kurt Busch � Last year Busch dominated most of the race, but wasn�t able to get it done late. This time around Busch just hung around in contention, then stepped it up late to become the first two-time winner of the season. Busch now resides in fourth for the season, 168 points out.

Bill Elliott � FINALLY!!!!! The #9 is strong all day and nets a fourth-place finish and moves up eight spots into 22nd for the season. Look for Elliott to really turn the corner in the next three months with races in Pocono (twice), Michigan (twice) as well as Indianapolis.

No doubt you have heard ads in the past regarding post-season trips where vacationers get to mingle, interact, and participate in activities with your favorite NASCAR personalities. Well, there is apparent litigation going on in Tennessee regarding a story originally reported last December - where things may had gotten slightly out of hand during a �NASCAR vacation� in Jamaica following the 2001 season.

Two teams of women were participating in a Tug-of-War, with Sterling Marlin coaching one of the teams. The husband of a member of the opposing team started getting on Sterling for �cheating� and participating himself. According to the complaint, Marlin then proceeded to SLAM THE SQUEALER INTO THE WATER!!!! � Supposedly giving him a messed up shoulder along with torn knee ligaments. I cannot stress the word �allegedly� enough in reporting this.

First off, are we sure this wasn�t the Big Show and not Marlin. Either that or the poor guy was the 98-pound weakling. And Sterling Marlin cheating?? NEVER!!!! Where are the Cup officials when you truly need them??? Once Sterling grabbed the rope himself, the official could had climbed out of his car, tapped Marlin on the shoulder, kindly tell him that �you can�t do that� � then send him to the end of the longest line. That would have probably been the extent of things.

It would come to the surprise of no one when this issue becomes front and center in the months and years to come. There has been a vicious backlash in recent days in regards to NASCAR�s racial diversity, or lack thereof. At issue are contributions the sanctioning body has made to Rev. Jesse Jackson, considered in some circles to be a conflict of interest considering Jackson�s well-documented vocal opposition to the recent Iraq war.

NASCAR�s stance on the matter is that while they fully support President Bush along with the coalition troops, that they also support the diversity work of Rev. Jackson � and considers those two issues separate.

For the record, NASCAR has stepped up it�s diversity program in recent years, working on getting minorities jobs in the sport as well as offering scholarships to Historically Black colleges as well as Hispanic Serving Institution.

To my knowledge, there are at least three African-Americans currently serving on race teams, along with at least one Cup official along with a Chip Ganassi pit crew coach. That is a start, albeit a very small one. Then again, this is a sport that literally ignored Wendell Scott�s historic win on December 1, 1963 � choosing to wave the checkered flag when the second place finisher crossed the line, then taking him to victory lane. NASCAR reversed course a month later and sent Scott his winners trophy, without worry of the backlash that no doubt would had occurred had he been in Victory Lane.

One last thing, one study had five percent of NASCAR�s 63 million fans being black. If the Pepsi Fan Cam is any indication, it is way more microscopic than that, like virtually zero. Considering the current fan base and ratings how it stands now, you could imagine the untapped potential if/when minorities start to get an interest. However, it is going to take a long time to achieve significant headway on this issue.


RICHMOND PREVIEW

Just a reminder, it�s Saturday night this week, and it will be 22 long days until the next one. Before giving up on Ryan Newman, consider that he finished second in both races here in 2002, and crazy as it sounds must be listed as a contender. Meanwhile I have to place Matt Kenseth as the favorite. First off Kenseth has gone seven races without a victory, which is an eternity for the #17. Also Kenseth placed first and sixth here last year. By the way, the sixth came after making up THREE LAPS from early in the race, so he was the strongest car that day as well. Three-time Richmond winner Tony Stewart is another prime contender while Jeff Gordon and Rusty Wallace always seem to clash near the front at some point. Dark-horse candidates include Jeff Green who contended for much of the Spring Race, then finished third in the fall (but failed post-race inspection). This is also Jimmy Spencer�s favorite track next to Bristol, and also has a good shot at a top ten. Ricky Rudd has historically been strong on his home track, although remember it�s Elliott Sadler with his old ride now.