The night began with an emotional tribute to the victims and heroes of 9/11. Driver Bill Elliott represented all the drivers in a statement while Coach Joe Gibbs did the invocation. All drivers and teams were given flags bearing names of all victims of 9/11. The flags were then placed in each drivers� pit stall to be displayed during the race. After �God Bless America� and the anthem all fans were asked to put up flip-card that were placed on all seats which when unfurled revealed patriotic designs along with �God Bless America� on both the front and backstretchs. The command to start engines was given by members of a Coalition Task Force in Afghanistan � with an absolute Air Force babe doing the moderating. I have never seen someone look so good in battle fatigues. So the field heads out with an all-rookie front row, Jimmie Johnson with his fourth pole of the year along with Ryan Newman, whom lately seems to be a bridesmaid in some form or another on a weekly basis. Dave Blaney qualifies a surprising third while Bill Elliott (engine change) along with Jeff Gordon were forced to start from the back. Gordon wrecked his primary car when the throttle stuck briefly during Happy Hour. Gordon�s backup car had his normal scheme, not the special Loony Tunes scheme that most Chevrolet drivers were assigned for the race. Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Jimmy Spencer, Michael Waltrip, and Sterling Marlin are paraded as the No Bull 5 drivers while extra parade laps are run in an attempt to wipe the stay-dry away that was put down after a show car blew up in the pre-race festivities.

Johnson holds on to lead Lap one, but is caught on the backstretch by Newman � who would remain in the lead for a while. Caution on Lap 3 when Eliott Sadler, who has been wrecking more than anyone this side of Steve Park � gets turned around and nails the inside wall. Restart on Lap 8, but not for long as Jeff Burton slides by himself in Turn 2 and gets into the wall. Teammates Sterling Marlin and Jimmy Spencer also skid trying to check up and wreck as well. With gas/water/oil all over the track the event is red-flagged at this point, as many drivers are already complaining about the track condition. Marlin looks shaken up as he emerges from his rig. But what really shakes Marlin even more is that he will finish 43rd, meaning more than likely Jeff Gordon will take over the points lead tonight. By the time this thing is over both #40 and #41 haulers will be halfway back to Charlotte. When asked if the track was slick, Spencer responds �slick ain�t the word, it�s---� Spencer pauses, then tells the interviewer �I best not say anything��. Actually he just did. Meanwhile, TV throws it back to Afghanistan where Air Force chick interviews another servicewoman (who�s not bad either�) and asks why she likes Dave Blaney. Servicewoman replies that it�s because she just digs �World of Outlaws� (where Blaney once raced). At this point the moderator announces that the Task Force now has to go and get back to the business of defending this great country. And at the pace this thing is going both Bin Laden and So Damn Insane could be rounded up before the race is over.

Restart on Lap 15, again not for long as Terry LaBonte gets into Todd Bodine in Turn 4, also Johnny Benson checks up and gets rear-ended by Bobby LaBonte. During the ensuing caution television catches a heated confrontation between T. LaBonte and T. Bodine�s crewman. Restart on Lap 25, and finally some racing. Dale Jarrett gets Mark Martin for sixth while Tony Stewart, now embroiled in even more off-track controversy has moved from 14th to eighth. Blaney is still hanging in third. We see some hard racing between Ricky Rudd, Dale Jarrett and Mark Martin � and you get the feeling something is about to happen. Sure enough, Jarrett has no where to go and slaps the backstretch wall hard, leaving a tire rub and a toe-out condition that would continue the rest of the night � ending any chance of contending. As Jarrett falls to 12th, some hard racing ensues just behind him involving Dale Jr., Jeff Green, Jerry Nadeau and Rusty Wallace. Stewart moves into fifth, and in pursuit of surprising fourth-place Mike Skinner. Stewart makes contact trying to pass Skinner on Lap 48. Meanwhile, Ryan Newman continues to show the way. Then a monster development on Lap 52. Jeff Gordon slows with what proves to be a cam-shaft problem. Gordon behind the wall � so much for taking over the points lead. Newman catches the tail end of the field on Lap 67 as a tire goes down on Matt Kenseth. The ensuing tire shreds bring out the fourth caution of the night as Kenseth will now go a lap down, but the shredded tire causes no other damage. Jimmie Johnson 15.2 but can�t beat Newman off pit road. Tony Stewart starts to close in on Newman soon after the restart. Greg Biffle (subbing for Bobby Hamilton) spins on the backstretch to bring out caution #5. No major damage to the #55. Restart on Lap 87, as Robby Gordon is enjoying a strong run into the top ten. That is, until Dale Jr. gets into him and Robby does well to save the car � but loses about a dozen positions. Robby is heard on the radio saying �he does that to me every week!!!!!� Time for TV to pull out the March Bristol footage. Jeff Green now moves into the sixth position. As we pass quarter-distance (lap 100) a car finally is able to pass Newman, it�s Matt Kenseth getting his lap back. The #17 should be trouble if it can endure the rest of the way. Kenseth stays on the lead lap for good when B. LaBonte spins (no contact) to bring out caution #6. Cars running from 17th on back pit at this juncture. Restart on Lap 113, and Jarrett is now losing laps getting his problem fixed on pit road. Newman and Stewart are still the cars to beat. Kenseth in the top-twenty by one-third distance. Dale Jr. with an unscheduled stop due to a flat right front � he now needs a long green-flag run. Stewart finally gets lead from Newman on Lap 145. As usual, Ward Burton is having another fine run at this venue and is in seventh. Kenseth is picking off cars en masse and is now in the top ten. Others moving up at this point include R. Wallace (eighth), Jeremy Mayfield (11th, and finished fifth back in the spring), Kurt Busch (12th ), Greg Biffle (13th after the earlier spin), and Kenny Wallace (15th). Dave Blaney has now slid to 16th and reporting a break problem. Rusty charges to third by Lap 172 and is now a major factor. Rusty begins the cycle of green flag stops with a 15.3, Kenseth has another flat tire - fortunately when he�s about to pit anyway, but is now down a lap for a second time. Rudd 14.1, Stewart 15.7, Martin pits with no adjustments. Jeff Green leads a lap, but then is passed by Biffle who leads his first Cup lap. Wedge adjustment for R. Gordon, Green 15.9 (with a pound off the rear tires). Meanwhile, a yellow now would be huge for biffle (and those other cars from 17th back who pitted on the last caution). Biffle pits on Lap 194, seven laps earlier than planned. Kenny Wallace now leads for what must be the first time all year, with Michael Waltrip in second.. K. Wallace is seen visibly fighting the steering wheel � yes he has a blown tire also. Meanwhile, Kenseth crew chief Robbie Rieser is adding a pound and a half to all tires. Then it happens � Tim Sauter (#71 car) blow up to bring out the caution, and to officially turn the field upside down. Eight other drivers stay on the lead lap with race leader Waltrip include Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman and Ricky Rudd. Those caught a lap down (at least till Waltrip pits) include R. Wallace, Jimmie Johnson, Johnny Benson and Mark Martin Park with an unscheduled stop before pit road opens. Waltrip 17.2, Newman 16.1, Stewart 14.5. When Waltrip pits it allows 12 additional cars on the tail end of the lead lap.

Restart on Lap 219 and the twelve cars ahead of the #15 get an immediate break when Waltrip gets loose, makes contact with Jeremy Mayfield � and crashes hard into water barrels installed on the inside wall heading into Turn 3. The water barrels were installed earlier in the day after a crash in virtually the same spot during the previous night�s Busch race. All twelve drivers get their laps back. Steve Park now leads a race for the first time since his comeback Darlington race in March. Restart order is Park, Brett Bodine, Kenseth, and Hermie Sadler. Who would had thunk at least two of those four. Blaney gets a lap back as Kenseth blows past Bodine to take second. Casey Atwood and Kyle Petty spin in separate incidents � but we stay green. Looks like Kyle got some help from Kurt Busch. Kenseth takes the race lead on Lap 249, after falling a lap down twice. Mike Wallace is having another great short-track run in eighth while Stewart finally grabs fourth from Rusty. Robbie Gordon has contact with Johnny Benson on Lap 254, cutting a tire on the #10 and sending Benson into the wall, that brings out Caution #9. Junior is all over Craven on the restart, amazingly no wreck. Newman passes Park for second. Meanwhile, Junior and Robbie Gordon are racing for position again � and NASCAR (knowing the history) warns both drivers on any potential bumping. On Lap 273 Busch gets into Biffle, sending the #55 into the wall and ending Greg�s great run. You will be hearing more from Biffle in the future. Four tires, but no adjustments for Kenseth. Ward Burton does not pit and inherits race lead. Some teams top off before the restart on Lap 280. In the unlikely event the race goes without caution until the end, it will be questionable whether most cars would be able to make it. Meanwhile a tire from Ricky Rudd�s pit ends up in Todd Bodine�s stall, before the #26 leaves and pushes Rudd�s tire down pit road. No penalty for Rudd, I don�t know why.

Restart order is Ward Burton, Newman, Mayfield, Kenseth. Matt is on the march immediately on the restart, and needs only 14 laps to get Ryan Newman for the race lead. Meanwhile Dale Jr. gets on the lead lap. Tony Stewart gets Wallace for fourth, as the #2 seems to be sliding. Kevin Harvick had been quiet all night but is now suddenly in 10th as the #29 has come to life. Crew Chiefs for Tony Stewart (in third), and Mike Wallace (in seventh) think they can make it on fuel. Crew chief for Mark Martin (12th) thinks it�ll be close, but the #6 will fall just short. Meanwhile Robbie Reiser insists that he and Jack Rosch have checked and re-checked the figures and the #17 keeps on coming five laps short. For some reason you don�t believe the Kenseth camp, the #17 amazingly went the final 182 laps at Bristol on one tank. Meanwhile the laps wind down. John Andretti spins on the tri-oval but we stay green � 44 laps to go. Rusty is stronger as the run gets longer and is chasing down Stewart for third. The Wallace camp says Rusty can make it, Wallace is also the lone contending driver eligible for the million dollar bonus. Wallace passes Stewart with 29 to go, as the #20 has lost it�s forward bite. A fading Ward Burton makes a two-tire stop with 26 laps left. Splash for Mayfield with 18 left. Rusty gets Newman for second with 15 laps remaining, he�s 2.5 seconds behind Kenseth but is good to go if Matt really can�t make it till the end. The attrition starts, Mike Wallace out of gas with 11 to go. Then Rusty loses a right front tire, ending his dreams of winning. Ken Schrader and Kevin Harvick both run out of gas. Then with just five laps remaining another major contender falls by the wayside as Tony Stewart loses his transmission. Suddenly Kenseth is in the clear, and suddenly does have enough to take the checkered flag and becomes the first driver to win four races this season. Only eight cars survived the fuel run to finish on the lead lap (some out of virtually nowhere) � with Kenseth followed by Ryan Newman, Jeff Green, Dale Jr., and Todd Bodine (the 28th different driver to score a top-five in '02). Those five qualify for the next million dollar bonus at Talladega, so getting in the top five was obviously huge for Junior. Rounding out the top ten is Mark Martin, Ricky Rudd, Ward Burton, Dave Blaney (nice comeback), and Jeremy Mayfield (ditto). Other notables include Steve Park (11th), Mike Wallace (12th), Jimmie Johnson (13th), Kenny Wallace (14th), Rusty Wallace (15th), Bill Elliott (a quiet 16th), Kevin Harvick (18th), Tony Stewart (a damaging 30th), Dale Jarrett (31st), Greg Biffle (33rd � deserved a better fate), Jeff Burton (39th), Jeff Gordon (40th), and Sterling Marlin (43th). Amazingly, Marlin hangs on to his points lead, but Mark Martin is now within nine points. Others in the top ten in what is shaping up as the closest points race in modern history include Jimmie Johnson (-72), Jeff Gordon (-82), Tony Stewart (-118), Rusty Wallace (-146), Bill Elliott (-184), Matt Kenseth and Ricky Rudd (-248), and Ryan Newman (-271). By contrast, the fifth place driver in the Busch Series standings is 473 points in arrears.

THE AFTERMATH

Now let�s go down into the garage and get a word with Ricky Rudd on his fine seventh place finish � �OH WAIT A MINUTE � RUDD�S DUKING IT OUT WITH ONE OF HIS CREWMEN!!!!!!!� This altercation came about this way: As I�ve reported the last couple of weeks, Rudd is bitching about getting second-hand engines with Dale Jarrett getting the better equipment (I wonder why). Rudd�s belly-aching made it to a USA Today article last week and things boiled over after the race when Rudd got into a heated argument with Yates engine-shop employee Larry Lackey. Larry reportedly cold-cocked Rudd in the eye during the discussion, and Rick (after getting off the deck) retaliates by bloodying Lackey with a thrown water-bottle. The two combatants were then separated. The incident costs the engine-builder $10K (which will hurt his wallet) while Rudd gets set back $5K (which will not hurt him nearly as much as the shiner). Nonetheless, Ricky was pissed saying ``I just found out I am going to be fined and that's the most absurd thing I ever heard, I believe it's NASCAR's job to keep the drivers safe and that guy just sucker-punched me. I didn't do anything wrong in this deal, that's all I'm going to say.'' Absolutely hilarious. Next time Ricky should just lie there then call a lawyer. Don�t be surprised if Rudd and RYR divorce becomes final before the year�s out.

Also a small damper was put on Jeff Green�s third place result when �an improperly spaced spring� was found. That cost the team $5K along with 25 driver/owner points which isn�t too bad a hit considering Green is not in points contention. Green�s eligibility for the Talladega bonus is unaffected. One thing about NASCAR�s decision to start docking team�s points � they don�t play favorites. They have now nailed Jimmie Johnson (top young gun), Dale Jarrett (well-respected veteran), and now Green (RCR driver).

One final note from Richmond, Jeff Gordon's streak of 56 races without a DNF came to an end, a modern day record. There are now no regular drivers who have been spared by the racing reaper at least once this year. Matt Kenseth and Kyle Petty now have the longest streaks at 25 (last DNF Daytona).

COSMIC LATTE

The big story in the 24-hours leading to race time Saturday night concerned an allegation made by a fan towards Tony Stewart regarding a post-race incident after the Bristol race two weeks earlier. The incident (according to the police report) had Stewart getting out of his car in the crowded garage area, and on his way to his trailer shoving a woman against the trailer. Obviously this is a huge development with Stewart already on probation for the post-race Indianapolis incident. Stewart and Joe Gibbs Racing have been reportedly very cooperative with the investigation � and eyewitness reports from the Gibbs camp reveal nothing out of the ordinary occurring during the Bristol post-race period. Other drivers, led by Dale Jarrett offered their support towards Stewart in the pre-race drivers meeting.

The case appears to be headed to a grand jury, but do not expect much in the form of charges to come out of it. The much bigger issue coming out of the incident concerns garage accessibility � already a hot-button topic. Expect major changes in that in the near future amidst safety and liability concerns.

There was also a couple of huge crew chief changes with Paul Andrews leaving Steve Park to replace long-time Jeff Burton crew chief Frankie Stoddard. Burton is the worst-running of the four Rosch cars and the switch could pay dividends in the long term. Chip Ganassi shocked many racing observers by hiring Busch Series driver Jamie McMurray for his third Cup team with the Havoline sponsorship for next season. McMurray has only three top-fives in 61 career Busch starts � so he may be way over his head with a high-profile Cup team. But also remember that the likes of Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson did not exactly excel in the Busch series. McMurray could have some of the success of Stewart and Johnson, but he could prove to be another Andy Houston as well.

SPRAGUE AND LEWIS LIGHT UP THE NIGHT, NOTICE THE FAN ON THE RIGHT IS LOVING IT...

There was also plenty of action on the track preceding the Cup race. Tony Stewart beat out Kevin Harvick to win the Thursday night truck race, but that was not the big story. Another race ringer, Bobby Hamilton suffered a broken right shoulder and cracked left wrist in a spectacular last lap crash. This means Bobby Hamilton will be sidelined for the next several weeks, with Greg Biffle (being borrowed from the Rosch stable) subbing for up to the next five races. Biffle has already appeared in two races, and will start no more than the next five races so he can retain his rookie status for 2003. More carnage followed in the Friday night Busch outing with several spectacular accidents. The most savage of those occurred when Derrike Cope had the throttle stuck on the tri-oval and slammed into the Turn 1 wall with frightening force causing the car roof to buckle among other things. Cope came out of that with a broken right shoulder and left leg. One look at that crash, and you start to understand what happened to Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin. Later on in that race Jack Sprague plowed into Ashton Lewis, rupturing Lewis� fuel cell and causing a brief but spectacular fireball. You can look for photos from this crash in a forthcoming issue of All-time Great Stock Car Crashes at your local news-stand. I'm just trying to see if there's an image of the devil in those flames. The good news was Ashton managed to get out in nine second flat. In the aftermath, a Lewis crewmember reportedly mixes it up with someone in another garage (I assume Sprague�s). It looks like safety measures definitely are needed at this track. Dale Earnhardt Jr. wound up dominating the race itself, debuting with a new team owned by himself and stepmother Teresa.

NEW HAMPSHIRE PREVIEW

There should be additional carnage this weekend as well as the Cup circuit returns to NHIS where no changes have been made since the wreckfest that occurred eight weeks earlier. You can read my race review from that day here. Obviously, last September�s scheduled race here had to be postponed to Thanksgiving weekend. The potential contenders are as follows�

Jeff Gordon � Did not have his best race here last time out but like seemingly everywhere has the track record (3 wins).

Tony Stewart � Like Gordon, was also claimed by the awful track surface but usually does quite well here and had a pair of top-fives in �01 along with a 2000 win.

Ryan Newman � Best bet of the �young guns� this week, finished fifth in July and the #12 has been as hooked up as any car on the circuit. It�s only a matter of time before he finally makes Victory Lane.

Matt Kenseth � A flat tire felled him late in the July race, which he had a definite chance to win. If the crew chief has the tire pressure right, the #17 has a chance for his fifth win.

Dale Jarrett � Coming off finishes of first, tenth, and third here � definitely one of the top five favorites.

Bill Elliott � His hot streak kind of started with the July race, as the #9 took the pole before the carburetor blew up early. It is the flat tracks where he�s most dangerous.

Jimmie Johnson - Seems to be getting the 'MOJO' back. Chevy's will have the extra inch on the air dams for balance of the season.

Rusty Wallace - Continues to knock on the door and was strong all weekend in July, qualifying third and finishing fourth.

Jeff Burton - Four-time winner usually commands much more consideration except an adjustment period has to be expected with the new crew chief.

Ward Burton - Might be the better bet among this clan, coming off some strong recent runs along with his July win here.

Sterling Marlin - One of teflon man's stronger tracks. Finished on the lead lap (14th) in July to follow up a second last November.

Robby Gordon - Proved the Thankgiving finale win was no fluke with a seventh in July, leading a huge day for RCR. Expect more of the same this weekend.

Mark Martin - Expect more points racing from the #6 this weekend, finished on the lead lap in 16th back in July.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. - Not one of his better tracks but Junior has been picking it up as of late.

Bobby LaBonte - Followed up a seventh and third last year with a 13th place effort in July.

Jeff Green - Sleeper of the weekend, not only is he coming off the third in Richmond, but also a second from the July race. It sounds like the spring violation is something that effects performance - so don't expect a letdown.

Kevin Harvick - Like teammates Green and Gordon, also netted a top-ten (ninth) in the July race.

Kurt Busch - Fading as of late but did muster an eighth here in July.

Ricky Rudd - Another one who under normal circumstances would be one of the favorites, except his pissing match is bound to end with RYR crew getting the last laugh. Let's put it this way, have you seen the commercial where (in an experiment) they take the Havoline out of his car before his qualifying lap - it may be reality this week.

Ricky Craven - Home track favorite had a nice qualifying run here (9th) last time out, only to struggle (21st) some in the race.

Todd Bodine - Another northeast favorite who is a deep sleeper for this week. Not only is he coming off the top five in Richmond, but also a sixth here.

Steve Park - Has now had two nice runs in the last month, and is another who cut his teeth coming up at NHIS.

Greg Biffle - We now get a look at 2003's top rookie for the next five races. Temper your expectations, but it was impressive how Biffle was able to handle the change from his usual Rosch Ford to a APR Chevy on short notice.

Look for the top ten to sort out as follows...

1. Newman, 2. Jarrett, 3. J. Gordon, 4. Stewart, 5. Kenseth, 6. R. Wallace, 7. Harvick, 8. Martin, 9. Elliott, 10. Green

NASCARODDS has the field broken down as follows...

Stewart 3-1, Newman 4-1, J. Gordon 9-2, Rudd 5-1, Jarrett 6-1, Martin 7-1, R. Wallace 8-1, B. LaBonte 9-1, Kenseth 10-1, Dale Jr. 11-1, Harvick 12-1, Johnson 13-1, J. Burton 14-1, Marlin 15-1, Elliott 16-1, Busch 17-1, J. Green 18-1, W. Burton 19-1, Spencer 20-1, T. Bodine 22-1, Park 24-1, R. Gordon 26-1, Mayfield 28-1, Craven 30-1, Benson 32-1, Blaney 34-1, Schrader 36-1, Waltrip 38-1, T. LaBonte 40-1, Skinner 42-1, Nadeau 44-1, M. Wallace 46-1, E. Sadler 48-1, Petty 50-1, Atwood 55-1, Nemechek 60-1, Andretti 65-1, K. Wallace 70-1, B. Bodine 75-1

ANDY HOUSTON AWARD

Could someone win the AH award and the Cup Championship in the same year??? We're about to find out as Sterling Marlin edges out Jimmy Spencer and Jeff Burton for this weeks award...