Checker Auto Parts/
Duralube 500K
Phoenix AZ, November 7th, 1999
| Checker Auto Parts/ |
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| are gone next year... |
So, once again, rather than post no report, the following is a composite from INSIDE WINSTON CUP, Sue's AdNASCAR Newsletter, and Henry Dubret's RUMBLINGS.
Phoenix is another of those tracks I'm not all that keen on, being a flattish half-mile oval. Eleven degrees of banking at one end, nine at the other. The most unique feature of this track is that wierd section of the outside wall that juts into the backstraight, just off Turn Two. A good lap brings you within six inches of that thing! Amazingly, the only person I remember hitting it is myself (in NASCAR2...). 500 kilometers translates into 312 laps. The most memorable race I remember here was 1988, when the late Alan Kulwicki got the first win of his too-short, brilliant career. (In an eerie coincidence, the only two-time winner is the late Davey Allison....)
Enough wool-gathering... John Andretti became pole winner number thirteen with his 132.714 effort. Beside him by .009 seconds was Gordon. Interesting sidebar: this is the only track JG has not won on... and this year wasn't the charm, as it would turn out... Lining up third was Geoffrey Bodine, then Martin, Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Rudd, Schrader, Rusty Wallace, Petty, Stewart andKenny Wallace rounded out the Top Twelve. Earnhardt was 14th, Jeff Burton, 18th, and Ward Burton, 37th (provisional). Only 44 cars made the long Western trek this late in the season, and goin' home, odd man out was Mike Wallace in car #32. Cope was again in the #41 Kodiak car, and Stacy Compton wheeled the #9 Cartoon Network machine.
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When the green flew, on Lap 126, Martin had a major problem, as his ingition box caved. He quickly slipped to the spare, thus avoiding takin' out al arge chunk of the field, but Jarrett, right behind him, ran into the Havoline Machine's rearend (dueling Motor Oils!).
Twenty laps or so later, Dale was in the pits, with a right front going down. This may have been fallout from his run-in with Mark, or he may have hit a beer or soda can thrown on the track(!)...
By just taking two tires, Jarrett managed to get out just behind the leaders, a lap down, but fresh rubber allowed him to get back on the lead lap.
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In the Points chase, Jarrett continues to firm up his hold on the lead. Now only Bobby Labonte, down 231, or Mark Martin, down 314 have a mathematical chance of catchin' him. If he finishes 8th or better, in either of the two remaining races, he'd got the Championship, even if Labonte won both...
So, we'll see next week, at the inaugural PENNZOIL 400 in Homestead, if he can clinch it!
See y'all there... From My
Couch!!
"Mr. NASCAR" |