Plenty of opportunity for TNT to show Witchblade Promos, since per usual at Bristol, there would be a ton of cautions, in fact 118 laps would be run under the yellow. Well, there are definitely worse things to promo. Gordon sits on the pole alongside Dale Earnhardt Jr., but it�s Junior who gets the jump to dominate the early portion of the proceedings. It doesn�t take long for the first contact to be made as Kurt Busch gets into Ricky Craven (battle for sixth) on Lap 2. We make it all the way to Lap 6 before the first caution occurs, when Todd Bodine gets into the back of Jimmie Johnson. The end result is Bodine, Steve Park, and Lance Hooper (#90 car) wrecking in the backstretch. Sterling Marlin escapes with some minor damage, but would not effect him long-term. Caution #2 occurs on Lap 18 when Bodine wrecks again on the backstretch, this time all alone. Possible that something broke on the #26 just before that incident. In any event, that finishes Todd for the night. On the Lap 23 restart, Busch moves up two positions to fifth while Bill Elliott gets freight-trained and loses several positions. Word out of the Elliott camp is that the #9 is fine on short runs but struggles on the longer ones. Michael Waltrip (starting fourth) is also hung out to dry and losing positions fast. Caution #3 occurs when Bobby Hamilton gets into Robby Gordon. The #31 is unable to stay on the lead lap, as his Bristol nemesis Dale Jr. makes sure that doesn�t happen. We would hear much more from Robbie throughout the evening. Restart occurs on Lap 36, with the likes of Jimmy Johnson and Waltrip running near the rear of the field. Ricky Craven (running sixth) is tapped by R. Gordon, bringing out Caution #4 on Lap 57. Craven is able to stay on lead lap as cars running near the rear of the field pit. Problems occur in Sterling Marlin�s pit when the car falls on the hand of the jackman, with the jack sliding about 200 feet ahead into Craven�s pit. Marlin is forced to make a stop-and-go for the equipment leaving his stall. Jackman was seen having his hand attended to, but was able to continue his duties. It has actually been a pretty safe year as far as pit crew injuries are concerned, the last one of note was a Jimmie Johnson crewman suffering a broken leg back at Rockingham in February. Yet another caution on Lap 69 as Joe Nemechek�s car gets loose and slides into Elliot Sadler, who wrecks hard � ending his night. Sadler has a �use your head� signal for Joe the next time by (shades of Charlotte) then proceeds to slam his hand against the side of an ambulance. Long green-flag run starts on Lap 76, with Junior still setting the pace. Robbie Gordon gets into it with Dale Jarrett on Lap 104, battling for 31st place no less. Kevin Harvick is slowly, but steadily moving up the field, and is in 17th. Others moving up include Jimmy Spencer (sixth) and Bobby LaBonte (seventh), Tony Stewart is also making a run into the top ten. Junior starts encountering lapped traffic, putting teammates Michael Waltirp and Steve Park a lap down. Junior�s car finally starts to go away and Gordon finally takes over the race lead on Lap 131. Now there is suddenly a concern about the leaders being forced to make green-flag stops, which would turn the field upside down � with those who pitted early gaining a huge advantage. One crew chief thinks his car can make it all the way to Lap 181. Caution finally does fly on Lap 151 as Jimmie Johnson finds the wall. Leaders finally pitting, with eighth place Jimmy Spencer taking his place on the first stall in the backstretch, an advantageous position. Junior 15.8, B. LaBonte 15.9, J. Gordon 16.8 (one round of wedge out � but car coming to him). While everyone pits on the frontstretch, Spencer slowly meanders his way through the front stalls, beating everyone to the line except for race leader Gordon.

Running order for Lap 157 restart is Gordon, Spencer, Junior � with 26 cars remaining on the lead lap. Rusty Wallace, who tested extensively here and felt very good about it, would soon get Junior to move up the scoring pylon to third. Scott Wimmer (#27 car) and Derricke Cope (#49) make contact but we stay green while T. LaBonte makes an unscheduled stop � there goes one of my sleepers. Caution finally does come out for debris left from the Wimmer/Cope tangle. Turns out that Wimmer (like Matt Kenseth/Robbie Reiser is your classic Wisconsin-ite. Cheeese, Packers, beer, Favre, brats, Go-Pack-Go, you get the idea. You could probably throw in a little deer hunting on the side as well. Gordon and Spencer get a huge jump on the Lap 175 restart. Dale Jr. reclaims third and appears to be the fastest car on the track. Jeff Burton is a big mover after early adjustments, climbing from 18th to seventh. Matt Kenseth gets bumped by Ricky Rudd and loses a few spots to 11th. Meanwhile, Sterling Marlin has recovered from his early problem to move into 12th. Spencer starts to slide back as both Junior and Wallace get him by Lap 215. Then Junior gets on the rear bumper of the #24, bringing nearly 150,000 to its collective feet. Gordon pulls away from the #8 for a while but Junior blows by Gordon to reclaim the lead on Lap 247. Meanwhile the likes of Bill Elliott and Ryan Newman are lapped as 20 remain on the lead lap at halfway. Gordon reclaims the lead while both he and Jr. were trying to lap Kyle Petty. Ricky Rudd becomes a casualty as he blows up on Lap 271, who do you think is getting the better equipment right now between Rudd and Jarrett??? Bobby LaBonte moves up to third, Marlin to ninth as only 14 remain on the lead lap. As Gordon leads lap after lap, getting part of a tire on the turn aprons each time - one could not help but think of how Gordon wrecked by himself as he was dominating the March race. Tire goes down on Jeremy Mayfield on Lap 292, then Steve Park spins to bring out Caution #8. B. LaBonte (16.6 w/air pressure adjustment), Gordon 15.5, Junior 19.3 � but positioned himself at the rear of his stall, so he had to wait for Rusty Wallace to get around him and comes out seventh. Adjustments also for Stewart. Tempers flare between Jeff Green and Ken Schrader coming off pit road. Immediate trouble on the restart with Dale Jarrett getting into Mayfield, which also collects Jeff Burton � ruining his great run. Bobby LaBonte also has some visable damage. Restart on Lap 308 with J. Gordon, Ward Burton, and Rusty Wallace leading the way. Kevin Harvick moves up to eighth before Ricky Craven gets up the wall while Jeff Green does not check up � goodbye radiator. Time for an extended yellow while the jet-blowers clean up the track.

ROBBIE PUNTS JJ, AND ELIMINATES MARTIN TOO...

Restart on Lap 331, but not for long as Mark Martin, Ryan Newman, and Terry LaBonte wreck. Meanwhile, things start to get interesting as Kyle Petty has a hissy-fit and is running J. Gordon clear up the track, trying to cut down a tire � all because the #24 had the nerve not to let Kyle have his lap back. Another caution soon after the Lap 339 restart, as Mayfield gets into Hut Stricklin. Hut would have a mock clap and a mock �thumbs-up� for the #19 as he goes around during the caution. That turns out to be Hut's last gasp with Bill Davis Racing, he would be clipped this week in favor of Kenny Wallace. Gordon tries to give Petty his lap back, and Rusty nearly grabs the race lead from Gordon for doing so. Photos show the Petty did not get the lap back. Some drivers, including Sterling Marlin and Jimmy Spencer top off at this point � they will be able to make it till the end. Crew chiefs for Bobby LaBonte and Kurt Busch also report they can make it. Gordon dominates again on the restart (Lap 356), Casey Atwood wrecks to bring out yet another caution, and also collects Dave Blaney as the #77 fails to check up. The rest of the leaders pit this time, W. Burton 14.9, Rusty 15.8, J. Gordon 16.3 � with Ward winning the race off pit road. Now things get interesting as Robbie Gordon simply punts Jimmie Johnson on the restart. Replays show Robbie getting into JJ at least twice in the lap before the green even waves. Johnson would also collect Mark Martin in the incident, meanwhile Gordon bangs with race leader Johnny Benson and gets his lap back � so he thinks. JJ is as mad as I think he can possibly get, and despite the attempts of track safety workers to restrain him � still manages to get a one-fingured salute off as Robbie drives by. NASCAR actually agrees with Jimmie�s frustration, and throws Robbie in the penalty box for two laps, but with the lap he managed to get back it amounts to only a one-lap penalty � he deserved much worse. In the ensuing post-crash interview, JJ says that like in every other form of racing Robbie has ever raced, he is more or less an idiot. You can read the story according to the Johnson camp here. Meanwhile, as Richard Childress tries to explain to Robbie that he has to be held for two laps, Robbie actually claims that Johnson missed a gear shift. I never knew drivers had to put it into the next gear on the �one-to-go� signal.

Restart on Lap 388 with Benson, Busch, Kenseth and Harvick leading the way. J. Gordon has his work cut out for him for the first time tonight and is back in ninth. Busch manages to grab the lead away from Benson before the next incident, which saw Ward Burton attempt to pass Dale Jr., only to cut in front of the #8 before he was clear, and got punted by Dale Jr. for his efforts � ruining a potential top-five finish for the #22. Ward would then proceed to throw the best hissy-fit yet as he emerges from the car with helmet still on. Ward takes off his heel pads while waiting for Dale Jr. to come by, then proceeds to fire the pads towards the window while climbing right up to the #8. I thought going after Junior like this was punishable by law in most states. Ward then runs back down the steep banking with his arms raised triumphantly. In his subsequent interview, Ward indicates that he wished he �had something else he could shoot at him�. END OF FRICKIN� QUOTE!!!!! Guess NASCAR is going to have to start inspecting for firearms before short track races. And the road rage was still not done. The lapped car of 'best man' Jerry Nadeau, brushes past Tony Stewart�s machine during caution. Tony, who had steadily climbed into contention all night claims per his web site that Nadeau then promptly jammed on his breaks. I think retaliation was more like it as Stewart rams into the back of the #44, and ends up doing the damage to himself, breaking an oil line. Goodbye chance to win, as the #20 heads to pit road with oil streaming all over the place. Stewart would fall three laps behind. So much for the anger-management, although I�m beginning to feel that every driver on the circuit could use an anger-management shrink right now. What would prove to be the final restart finally occurs on Lap 424 with Rusty and Gordon still riding back in eighth and ninth respectively, but on fresh tires. Rusty and Gordon move steadily up, with Wallace getting Sterling Marlin for fourth on Lap 433. Meanwhile Harvick chases down Kurt Busch to grab the race lead on Lap 438. Busch fades and soon finds himself battling with Jimmy Spencer for third � although Spencer himself would eventually fade as Wallace, Gordon, and Junior all eventually pass the #41. The #2, #24, and #8 all close the gap on Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth who start to fade on the old tires. Gordon gets Kenseth for third with 21 to go, while Rusty goes bump-and-run to get the lead from Harvick three laps later. Gordon follows Rusty to take second shortly thereafter, then Junior gets Harvick for third with 13 to go. The dance floor is now down to two NASCAR legends who need a win bad. Gordon has not won in 31 races, Rusty is winless in 49. It appears though that Rusty is headed for his tenth win at his favorite track, as Gordon just can�t seem to close the gap. Lapped drivers are being polite, all moving into the high groove per orders in the pre-race drivers meeting. That is until four laps to go when Rusty has to deal with Gordon teammate Joe Nemechek. Joe would move slightly up the track, but while doing nothing blatant manages to run enough interference on the #2 while Gordon suddenly closes the gap with three to go. #24 stays on the bumper of the #2 for a lap until putting the bump-and-run on Rusty (damaging his fender) to complete the final lead change of the night. Rusty does not have enough to answer, so Gordon cruises from there to end his winless streak. Jeff emerges from his machine as if it were victory #1 in his career, while Miss Winston looked more hyped that she has all year. Don�t think Jeff wants to go there again though�

Gordon, Wallace, Junior, Harvick, and Kenseth comprise the top five, followed by Kurt Busch, Sterling Marlin, Jimmy Spencer, Bobby LaBonte and Mike Wallace. That's right - Mike Wallace finished in the top ten. Keep the fact that Kenseth made it 172 laps until the end, and that a crew chief claimed one of his drivers could make it to Lap 181. Those are the new mileage standards for future reference - unless of course NASCAR cuts down the size of the gas tanks next year, which I think is a horrible idea. Other notables falling off the Bristol wayside include Johnny Benson (12th - actually a good finish), Jeff Burton (13th), Ricky Craven (16th - gutty performance), Bill Elliott (17th), Robby Gordon (20th - back in the day it would had been at least a five-lap penalty), Michael Waltrip (22nd), Mark Martin (23rd), Tony Stewart (24th), Dale Jarrett (28th), Jimmie Johnson (34th), Jeff Green (35th), Ryan Newman (36th), and Ricky Rudd (39th)

Marlin takes a huge step towards the championship taking seventh at a venue he historically does not do well in. Credit teammate Jimmy Spencer in coaching Marlin through this event. Marlin's point lead increases to 95 over Mark Martin, followed by Jeff Gordon (-111), Tony Stewart (-139), Jimmie Johnson (-145), and Rusty Wallace (-162)

Most likely Ward Burton will be punished for his heel pad tossing/post crash comments. Again, him suggesting that 'he had something else to shoot' at Dale Jr. crosses the line, in fact it was downright making a threat - and would not be tolerated in any other profession. Losing your temper is one thing, carrying on like that is another. The antics of Stewart and Robby Gordon were no surprise, you may recall both of them being among my favorites to melt down last week. And I guess NASCAR needs to do something about these displays by the drivers every time they wreck. There are always the interviews and websites to blow off steam, the road rage displays get old after awhile. But then again, that's why Bristol is one of the toughest tickets in all of sports.

VORTEX VENTS

Does anyone want the top spot in the KAC RACING RANKINGS??? They are as volitile this week as the Bristol Night race itself and is as follows...

1. Marlin (1) (+1), 2. (4) Stewart (+1), 3. (3) J. Gordon (+2), 4. (19) Harvick (+7), 5. (9) Kenseth (+4), 6. (2) Martin (-2), 7. (8) Elliott (-6), 8. (6) Wallace (+4), 9. (11) Busch (-2), 10. (5) Johnson (-4), 11. (10) Jarrett (+2), 12. (12) Newman (-2), 13. (15) Dale Jr. (+2), 14. (7) Rudd (-6), 15. (13) J. Burton (-1), 16. (14) Waltrip (+1), 17. (17) B. LaBonte (+2), 18. (16) Craven (-2), 19. (22) R. Gordon (NR), 20. (20) Green (NR)

Dropped out: T. LaBonte (was 18), Blaney (was 20)

In the last two rankings (in the past six weeks), Harvick has moved from 18th to 11th to 4th. Just a reminder, these rankings are how the editor strictly feels about the drivers at this moment. Or in other words, how they should be selected if you were to hold a Racing Fantasy Draft this week...

Anyone out there who thinks that the labor woes that have occurred in baseball and other sports could never, ever possibly happen in NASCAR??? Well, guess what one Jeff Burton suggested on a radio show last week??? A salary cap for crew members. That�s neat. Donald Fehr may have some work after he finally brings baseball�s owners to it�s knees yet again. And how about removing Mike Helton and have Bud Selig running NASCAR. Couldn�t you see someone apparently winning the Daytona 500 � only to be found of some violation afterwards. Cup official runs up to Bud about the situation, and Bud throws his hands up in the air saying �what the hell am I supposed to do??? I�m Bud � I�m clueless!!!'

Anyone ready for Wally??? I mean, Wally on the cup circuit. Apparently, Wally Dallenbach (this generations' Nelson Burton Jr. - that is commentating while trying to continue a career) is itching to get back into a full-time Cup ride. And maybe it�s just me � any agreement between a driver and an outfit called Galaxy Racing is just not going to come off. Don�t cry too many tears for Wally on that one though, he cashed in a huge judgement on Galaxy in court earlier this year. If he does come back, there is your darkhorse candidate to remember for Watkins Glen, for he�s a two-time bridesmaid there. As mentioned earlier, Kenny Wallace replaces Hut Stricklin in the #23 for Bill Davis Racing, Kenny is already set there for '03 as well, with of course quack (allegedly) diet product Stacker 2 providing sponsorship.

DANG IT, I JUST HIT THE KILL SWITCH!!!!!

The Busch race did fall short in the fireworks department as Jimmy Spencer (who is the spitting image of a Yellow driver) led the last 91 laps to win. Jimmy did have a scare late when one of his favorite lapped laps spun in front of him, allowing Scott Wimmer to pull up onto Spencer�s bumper � and giving him the exact same opportunity to bump-and-run as Jeff Gordon. But Wimmer (being the Wisconsin-ite he is) elects to live another day and lets Spencer win. Jimmy talks after the race about reducing his Busch schedule next year (among other things) � OK whatever. He�ll always run the Busch races at Bristol, where he beats the competition like a rented mule.

Kevin Harvick did race in the Busch tilt, but eliminated himself in hilarious fashion when he took himself out of contention by inadvertently hitting the kill switch with about 30 laps remaining. The switch was on the steering wheel, apparently a different place than he is used to seeing it. A red-faced Harvick just tells the interviewer �It don�t need to be there�� before DeLena helps whisk him away to his trailer. At least Greg Biffle or any other rivals had to worry about him after the race this way, while Kevin was able to save all his energy for the Cup event.

DARLINGTON PREVIEW

No rest for the weary, as Bristol is followed up by arguably the sports most grueling event of the season, the Southern 500. The March event is grinding enough, but at least the temperatures are cool and the race is only 400 miles. 392 laps on a hot, muggy September afternoon on the circuits most notorious track makes this race seem even longer than the 600-miler in Charlotte. A lasting image of last year�s race was Robert Pressley (then in the #77 car) crashing hard on the frontstretch, stumbling out of his car before collapsing in front of the pit road wall. You can expect several more drivers to visit the infield care center this time as well. Only ten drivers finished on the lead lap in March, so any driver just being able to hang on the lead lap will have a chance at the end. As was the case in Michigan, the Chevys get an extra-inch on the air dam while Pontiac gets a half-inch. For a review of the March race, including Tony Stewart receiving a wicked shot from Jimmy Spencer, click here. The list of contenders starts with three drivers you can simply not be without.

Dale Jarrett � Engine trouble claimed DJ early back in March, but that is an aberration. In fact it was the first time since 1996 he failed to finish in the top five in the Spring race. Also has a couple of top-fives in the past four years in this event. Add to the equation the overwhelming evidence that he�s getting Yates best equipment over lame-duck Ricky Rudd and you have a near lock for the week.

Kevin Harvick � Think better of it before benching Harvick just because he�s due for a bad run. The #29 qualified fifth and finished eighth last September, then followed up with a third in March � Harvick�s lone early-season bright spot. Add the extra-inch Chevrolet is getting and it�s spells yet another monster run.

Jeff Gordon - Look out for the Mach 5, I mean #24 now, this is one of Gordon's favorite tracks. Both qualified and finished second in this race last year and was dominant for a long stretch in March before the car went away, his chances rank right with Jarrett and Harvick.

Sterling Marlin � This is also a good track for Sterling, taking the Spring race while building the points lead he still enjoys. Pit strategy will also play huge here, giving the #40 another advantage.

Matt Kenseth � Someone else who will benefit immensely from pit strategy, had a solid eighth place run in March.

Rusty Wallace/Mark Martin � Both have to be considered for just being in the points chase, but neither has had real success here over the years. Martin does have a 1993 win while Rusty is winless.

Bill Elliott � Like many other tracks, was great back in the day with a sweep in 1985, along with wins in �88, �92 and �94. I don�t think he�ll risk his �flat-track special� here.

Tony Stewart � Think he�s steamed � and that�s when he�s at his best. Crashed out in one of NASCAR scarier moments of the year in March, but came away with a fourth in this event last year.

Ward Burton � As bad as he�s been lately, was in position to steal what would had been his fourth win over one calendar year last year, and is the defending champion in this event. Also interesting to note Ward holds the spring qualifying record with a clocking of 173.797 back in 1996. Kenny Irwin holds the qualifying record for this race (1999) which is only 170.970.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. � Dale Jr. has been showing signs of life, has the extra inch to work with � and finished fourth in the Spring. A great dark horse possibility.

Kurt Busch � Made one of his first big splashes in this event last year taking the pole and staying in the hunt until blowing up midway during the event.

Ryan Newman � He will be fast but will the motor last 500 grueling miles???

Jimmie Johnson � Has already smashed into the rookie wall, and will probably make contact with The Lady in Black as well. Did have a top ten in the spring though.

DARK HORSES

Jeff Burton � Lousy year, but swept both 1999 events here. All the Rosch entrants are possibilities.

Jeff Green/Robbie Gordon � I like Green better of the two remaining RCR entrants, since Robbie burned a few more bridges last week.

Jeremy Mayfield � Three top-fives since 1998, although it�s hard to find a pulse from him this year.

Elliot Sadler � The #21 had by far it�s best run of the year in March, finishing second.

Johnny Benson � Coming off a couple of decent runs, and finished on the lead lap here last year.

Bobby LaBonte � Was third in this event last year.

Michael Waltrip - Qualifies fantastic, but has to show more in the race itself.

DON�T COUNT ON

Ricky Rudd - Two words. Lame Duck.

Steve Park � Like in March, will qualify well � then crash out early.

After four hours of racing look for things to sort out as follows�

1. J. Gordon, 2. Jarrett, 3. Harvick, 4. Stewart, 5. Marlin, 6. Kenseth, 7. Elliott, 8. Wallace, 9. Martin, 10. Dale Jr.

NASCARODDS has it this way (I think they're nuts...)

B. LaBonte 3-1, J. Gordon 4-1, Harvick 9-2, J. Burton 6-1, Johnson 7-1, Stewart 8-1, Rudd 9-1, Rusty 10-1, Elliott 11-1, Kenseth 12-1, Dale Jr. 13-1, Marlin 14-1, Busch 15-1, Jarrett 16-1, Matin 17-1,l W. Burton 18-1, Hamilton 19-1, Mayfield 20-1, Sadler 22-1, Spencer 24-1, T. LaBonte 26-1, Blaney 28-1, Craven 30-1, Schrader 32-1, Benson 34-1, R. Gordon 36-1, Waltrip 38-1, J. Green 40-1, Park 42-1, T. Bodine 44-1, M. Wallace 46-1, Andretti 48-1, Nadeau 50-1, Atwood 55-1, Petty 60-1, Skinner 65-1, Nemechek 70-1, B. Bodine 75-1, K. Wallace 80-1

ANDY HOUSTON AWARD

We dole it out this week to Todd Bodine, who I think was already deep in debt on the backstretch once before the drivers kids were done with the anthem. A second wreck on Lap 18 sends him to the garage, and makes him this weeks winner hands down...