Heat exhaustion took its toll on a few drivers at Martinsville. Kenny Irwin made it only 180 laps before being replaced in the #28 Texaco Ford by Kenny Wallace, whose #81 Square D Ford gave out on him after 150 laps. Ted Musgrave was replaced by Steve Grissom in the #77 Jasper Ford on lap 225. Hut Stricklin stood by in Ricky Rudd’s pits throughout the afternoon as Rudd complained of heat exhaustion as well, but Rudd never relinquished his seat and won the race. Bill Elliott was treated by the AirCare medical personnel following the race as he suffered a heat blister on his left heel. The medical team administered oxygen to Elliott and gave him plenty of fluid to drink. After 30 minutes of treatment, Elliott walked out of his team’s trailer. Butt blisters were a common term in most interviews I saw today. Even Mark Martin was overcome by the heat after the race.(many sources)(9-27-98)
