QUALIFYING: Bobby Labonte took the Bud Pole at Talladega with a speed of 195.728mph and a time of 00:48.925sec. Rusty Wallace started in 23rd position with a speed of 191.673mph and a time of 00:49.960. Top Ten Qualifiers: 1st-Bobby Labonte, 2nd-Dale Earnhardt, 3rd-Terry Labonte, 4th-Ken Schrader, 5th-Morgan Shepherd, 6th-Jeff Gordon, 7th-Derrike Cope, 8th-Lake Speed, 9th-Dale Jarrett, 10th-Randy LaJoie. Notables in field: 17th-Bill Elliott, 18th-Jeff Burton, 23rd-Rusty Wallace, 25th-Kenny Irwin.
Starting Grid
RACE: It was another action-packed race at Talladega this weekend. The first half of the race was quite calm and there were no cautions. Plenty of passing and action, but not many close calls. Terry Labonte fought for the lead and won the money for leading at halfway. The big excitement started in the last half of the race. Although there were only three cautions, the last of the three was a characterized Talladega crash. With nearly 20 cars involved: Ward Burton, Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott, Michael Waltrip, Lake Speed, Mark Martin, Kyle Petty, Ricky Rudd, Bobby Hamilton, Ken Schrader, Morgan Shepherd, Derrike Cope, Dick Trickle, Jerry Nadeau, John Andretti, Billy Standridge, Chad Little, Randy LaJoie, and Joe Nemechek. Ward Burton hit Earnhardt sending him up into Elliott and against the wall. Elliott's car turned upside down and caught on fire. Elliott only suffered a bruised sternum, or chest bone. Earnhardt had second degree burns to his face and neck. Luckily no one was seriously injured. The battle for the lead was won by Bobby Labonte by passing his brother Terry with the drafting help of Jimmy Spencer and Dale Jarrett. Top Ten Finishers: 1st-Bobby Labonte, 2nd-Jimmy Spencer, 3rd-Dale Jarrett, 4th-Terry Labonte, 5th-Jeff Gordon, 6th-Ernie Irvan, 7th-Kenny Wallace, 8th-Ward Burton, 9th-Sterling Marlin, 10th-Randy LaJoie. Notables in the field: 12th-Rusty Wallace, 13th-Jeremy Mayfield, 21st-Michael Waltrip, 23rd-Mark Martin, 29th-Ken Schrader, 36th-Dale Earnhardt, 43rd-Jeff Burton.
Race Results
RACE RECAP:
After 188 Laps
Leaders: 9
Lead Changes: 19
3 Cautions for 16 Laps
Cars Out of Race: 13
Average Speed: 163.439mph
Winner: Bobby Labonte
Margin of Victory: 0.167sec
Time of Race: 3:03:35
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