It's Wednesday evening. Have you had your NASCAR fix???
Away We Go!!!
The unusual egg shaped oval at Darlington has been nicknamed the track “Too Tough to Tame”, and it certainly has been for a number of drivers like Rusty Wallace, Tony Stewart, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr, who have yet to win here despite their overall series success. On the other hand, some drivers have enjoyed their time at Darlington. Jeff Gordon is one of those, as he has tamed the raceway six times in his career, with all but one coming in the fall event. Over the last ten races at the track the 24 car has finished in the top five six times, and eight top 10's or better. Two of those were wins, and two were second palce finishes. Bill Elliott, a five time Darlington winner, and Dale Jarrett, a three time spring event winner have also found success here. However, no one can touch the legend of the late Dale Earnhardt, who captured nine checkered flags at Darlington and still owns the track race record speed of 139.958 mph, set in ’93. In fact, this in one of the tracks which best defined “The Intimidator’s” career.
The 2003 Winston Cup season is setting up to be just as competitive as last year. Bobby Labonte became the fourth different winner this year as he passed Gordon with 10 laps remaining last week to add another chapter to his illustrious history at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Matt Kenseth grabbed fourth place in that event and in turn took over the series points lead. He currently leads 2002 WC Champion Stewart by 49 points. The Dewalt Ford team is not only gaining a reputation for Kenseth’s driving skills, but for the crew’s prowess in the pits as well, turning pit stops of less than 14 seconds regularly. If that continues, he should remain a contender this week as well as most other events.
Aside from Kenseth and Stewart, keep an eye out for the Brothers Burton too, as Jeff owns the best average finish at Darlington (9.5 in 18 total starts), and Ward owns the track qualifying mark of 173.797 mph, set in ’96. The Cat 22 driver has two wins and a second at this track over the last ten races, and has finished 12th or better in all but one of the last ten races here. Brother Jeff will be looking to lead a resurgence of the Roush Racing team, who dedicated themselves to the garage this week after losing three motors last week at Atlanta. Jeff Burton won both races here in 99, and has finished tenth or better in eight of the last ten races at this track. The Young guns of Jimmie Johnson, and Ryan Newman both had unusual good finishes for rookies at this track. The 48, and 12 both had top ten runs in the two races here last year. Newman was tops of the two, and brought home a second place finish in the fall race. This also could be a race we see the 40 team step up. Sterlin is the defending champ of the spring race, and also won the spring race of 95' at Darlington. Marlin has finished fifth or better in three of the last four races run here. My local favorite Elliott Sadler has put together decent runs here in the undermanned Wodds Brothers car. This time around he of course is in better equipment, and may be a guy to look for. While driving for the 21 team Sadler had a second place finish last year, and a couple of top 15 performances over the last ten races here. Sadler's teammate Dale Jarrett should be of some help to him, and that raises the attention bar even more. As mentioned above Dale has won this spring race three times, and amasingly enough only has three races over the last ten here where he's finished out of the top five spots.
It will be interesting to see how the Budweiser Car of Dale Junior does here at this track. Junior seems to be on a mission on all tracks this season. We should know how much he has grown after Sunday's race, because he only has one top ten finish here in six races. Four of the six were 16th or worse. This will be his second test of the season at a trach he doesn't excel at. Granted he has a much worse history at Rockingham, but darlington isn't far behind. If he is legit, and his truly an earnhardt we should definitely see it here Sunday.
Average race finish time: 3:14:00
Average Speed: 127.89 MPH
Average # of cautions: 6 - 36 laps
Average # of lead changes: 16
Average # of drivers leading: 8
Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 - Recent Top Finishers
Year 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
2002 Sterling Marlin Elliott Sadler Kevin Harvick Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Ryan Newman
2001 Dale Jarrett Steve Park Jeremy Mayfield Jimmy Spencer Sterling Marlin
2000 Ward Burton Dale Jarrett Dale Earnhardt Tony Stewart Jeff Burton
1999 Jeff Burton Jeremy Mayfield Jeff Gordon Dale Jarrett Mark Martin
1998 Dale Jarrett Jeff Gordon Rusty Wallace Jeremy Mayfield Jeff Burton
1997 Dale Jarrett Ted Musgrave Jeff Gordon Jeff Burton Bobby
Labonte
1996 Jeff Gordon Bobby Labonte Ricky Craven Rusty Wallace Terry Labonte
1995 Sterling Marlin Dale Earnhardt Ted Musgrave Todd Bodine Derrike Cope
1994 Dale Earnhardt Mark Martin Bill Elliott Dale Jarrett Lake Speed
1993 Dale Earnhardt Mark Martin Dale Jarrett Ken Schrader Rusty Wallace
1992 Bill Elliott Harry Gant Mark Martin Davey Allison Ricky Rudd
1991 Ricky Rudd Davey Allison Michael Waltrip Mark Martin Rusty Wallace
<b>Tony Stewart's</b> average finish at this track type is 8.9. In 37 races, he has 4 wins and 26 top 10 finishes. Average finish in races w/slightly below average number of cautions is 9.6. In 49 races, he has 8 wins and 34 top 10 finishes. Average finish in races run at slightly above average speeds is 10.4. In 67 races, he has 4 wins and 43 top 10 finishes. Average finish over the past 5 races is 11.0. In 5 races, he has 0 wins and 3 top 10 finishes. Average finish in races with a below average winnings payout is 11.3. In 79 races, he has 12 wins and 50 top 10 finishes. Average finish at Darlington International Raceway is 11.9. In 8 races, he has 0 wins and 5 top 10 finishes.
<b>Jeff Burton's</b> average finish at Darlington International Raceway is 9.5. In 18 races, he has 2 wins and 12 top 10 finishes.
<b>Jeff Gordon's</b> average finish at Darlington International Raceway is 10.3. In 20 races, he has 6 wins and 14 top 10 finishes. Average finish in races with a below average winnings payout is 11.0. In 201 races, he has 32 wins and 134 top 10 finishes. Average finish at this track type is 11.7. In 87 races, he has 17 wins and 55 top 10 finishes. Average finish in races run at slightly above average speeds is 12.2. In 146 races, he has 28 wins and 90 top 10 finishes. Average finish in shorter length races. (3 hours) is 12.3. In 119 races, he has 24 wins and 74 top 10 finishes.
<b>Jimmie Johnson's</b> average finish in March races is 10.8. In 6 races, he has 0 wins and 4 top 10 finishes. Average finish over the past 5 races is 12.4. In 5 races, he has 0 wins and 3 top 10 finishes.
<b>Bill Elliott's</b> average finish at Darlington International Raceway is 12.2. In 23 races, he has 2 wins and 9 top 10 finishes.
<b>Dale Jarrett's</b> average finish in races run at slightly above average speeds is 12.4. In 167 races, he has 17 wins and 98 top 10 finishes.
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