Sunday, August 18, 2002
Elliott tries to put streak in perspective
NASCAR notebook
Enquirer staff and news services
BROOKLYN, Mich. - Michael Waltrip held off a strong challenge from Todd Bodine before pulling away to win the NASCAR Busch Series race Saturday at Michigan International Speedway.
The victory in the Cabela's 250 was the ninth in Busch competition for Winston Cup driver Waltrip, and his first since October 1999.
“It's a lot of fun when you win,” Waltrip said.
Jeff Burton finished second, nearly 4 seconds back, and Jeff Green edged Bodine for third to give Winston Cup drivers a sweep of the top four spots.
Bodine, in a Chevrolet, appeared to have the fastest car for most of 125-lap race but dropped to 10th after a four-tire pit stop on lap 79 during the fourth caution. Waltrip, who changed just two tires on his Chevy during that caution, took the lead from Joe Nemechek with 38 laps to go and began pulling away.
But Bodine charged through the field and caught Waltrip, pulling beside the leader on several occasions. The cars touched in Turn 2 on lap 103, and when they got to the front stretch later during that lap, Waltrip pulled down and slammed into Bodine.
The contact damaged Bodine's right-front fender and kept him from challenging again.
“He ran into me in Turn 2, and that's not how you pass the leader,” Waltrip said. “I waited until he got to my door, and I turned into him and tried to cave in his fender in to make him push. I don't know if worked or not.”
When told it apparently worked, Waltrip said, “I'm glad, he deserved it.”
CRAVEN'S NEW RIDE: PPI Motorsports owner Cal Wells said he would switch from Ford to Pontiac next season, putting driver Ricky Craven behind the wheel of a reconfigured Grand Prix.
“When we first discussed the possibility ... it was very clear that Cal was serious about doing whatever it takes to win a championship,” said Bob Kraut, marketing director for Pontiac. “That type of attitude is exactly what we need as we put the new Grand Prix race car on the track in February.”
Joe Gibbs Racing previously announced it was moving from Pontiac to Chevrolet next year, so Wells might have the top Grand Prix.
“Certainly, a lot of thought went into the decision to switch to Pontiac,” Wells said.
Craven, who got his first career victory last season while driving for Wells, is 15th in the standings.
CHARLOTTE SCORES: Lowe's Motor Speedway outside of Charlotte, N.C., pulled off a double sweep this week, winning rights to host The Winston and getting NASCAR to make its fall race a Saturday night event.
The UAW-GM Quality 500 will be run Oct.11, 2003, a track spokesman said Friday. The race always has been run on Sunday afternoons.
Lowe's already runs The Winston, NASCAR's annual All-Star event, and the Coca-Cola 600 at night, and sells out both events. The track used to sell out its October race but has run into attendance problems the past few years while competing with the NFL's Carolina Panthers.
NBC will broadcast the race.
BENSON RE-SIGNS: Johnny Benson and crew chief James Ince have signed contract extensions, believed to be for two years, to remain with the No.10 Pontiac owned by Atlanta-based MB2 Motorsports.
“My goal is to do well and retire from this place some day,” Benson said.
Benson and Ince have five top-three finishes and 22 top-10 finishes in 86 starts together.
NEW TIRE FOR DOVER: Goodyear plans to bring a new tire to Dover International Speedway for the MBNA America 400 on Sept.22. That decision could leave teams scrambling with their setups.
“Dover is a different type of track, and Goodyear's new tire recommendation is unique to it,” tire engineer Graham Gott said.
The new tire will be softer, allowing for more grip in the turns, but it also will wear faster. That means lap times should slow dramatically during green-flag runs.
PARK SIGNS: Steve Park, the first driver signed by Dale Earnhardt Inc., has re-signed to drive the No.1 Chevrolet next season.
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Elliott tries to put streak in perspective
