THE NEXT Winston Cup RACE
NEWS, STATS and INFO
THE RACE: MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400
Winston Cup Race #27 of 36 for the 2001 season
Updated: often, leading up to the race
- Race: Sunday, September 23, 2001 in Dover, DE
- TV: NBC – 1:00pm/et, re-aired on TNT Tuesday, Sept 25, 1:00am/et
- Pre-Race Show: 12:30pm/et – Hosted by Bill Weber
- NASCAR on TV and TNT TV Schedule and CNN/SI Schedule
- Announcers: Allen Bestwick, Benny Parsons and Wally Dallenbach
- Pit Reporters: Bill Weber, Matt Yocum, Marty Snider, Dave Burns
- Purse/Race Awards: $3,321,928 (last year $3,062,699)
- Entry List: Entry List for the: MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 from NASCAR.com
- 2000 Race Winner: Tony Stewart, 115.191mph, started 27th
- Event/Track Race Record: Mark Martin, Sept 1999, 132.719mph
- Track/Race Length: 1.0 mile oval, 400 laps, 400 miles
- Pit Road Speed: 45mph
Practice - Practice: Friday, Sept 21st 10:00am – 12:00noon/et;
Saturday, Sept 22nd 11:15 – 12:00noon/et - Happy Hour Practice: Saturday, Sept 22nd after the BGN race, approx 3:30pm/et, TV-TNT live
Qualifying - Qualifying Draw: Friday, Sept 21st, 9:00am/et
- Qualfying Order: or NASCAR.com
- First Round Qualifying: 2 laps for positions 1-36, Friday, Sept 21st at 1:35pm/et,
TV-CNN/SI 1:30pm/et live and re-aired at 7:30pm/et and live via MRN Radio(link below) - NASCAR.com will have live lap-by-lap coverage of Winston Cup
qualifying via the web - Second-Round Qualifying: there is no longer a 2nd round of qualifying
- Track/Race/Event Qualifying Record: Rusty Wallace, Sept 1999, 159.964mph
- Last Year’s Pole Sitter: Jeremy Mayfield, 159.672mph, finished 35th
Track Specs:
Superspeedway: 1.0-mile oval
Banking: turns: 24 degrees; straights: 9 degrees
Straights: Frontstretch – 1,076 feet; Backstretch – 1,076 feet
Attendence: ~140,000 - Track Homepage: Dover International Speedway
- Scanner Frequencies: are linked on my Racing Links Page/ Scanners Section
PAST RACE/POLE WINNERS at Richmond
See the chart at the Dover Downs site: Past Winners and Qualifiers
RACE BONUS INFO
- The NASCAR Winston Cup Leader Bonus is $50,000 at Dover for leading the points and winning the race (Jeff Gordon last won the award, $10,000 at Watkins Glen on Aug 12, 2001). The $360,000 annual award is paid at $10,000 per race to the point leader at the end of each event if he is also the winner. The award increases by $10,000 each week the it goes unclaimed. If the point leader is not the race winner at the end of the year, the balance of the award is distributed among the top-10 finisher in the point
standings(9-17-2001)
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WEATHER, TV/RADIO COVERAGE
LOCAL NEWS, TRACK/FAN INFO
Radio Coverage:
Radio Coverage:
Motor Racing Network(MRN)
including RealAudio coverage
Airtime: 12:30pm/et with Announcers: Barney Hall and Joe Moore
Turn Reporter: Mike Bagley
Pit Reporters: Jim Phillips, Winston Kelley and Jason Toy
Satellite/Backhaul Listing’s:
Satellite/Backhaul Listing’s: Stutzman Computer Service/Sales – Racing Feed Locations
some Local Newspapers and other Sites that cover the Dover, DE area:
Delaware.com
Dover Post
News Zap
Newark Post
Philadelphia Daily News
Philadelphia Inquirer
Wilmington News Journal
www.visitdover.com
WEATHER FORECASTS:
Weather forecast for Dover, DE by The Weather Channel
Weather Underground – Dover, DE
Weather Point – Dover, DE
The Weather Pit
TRACK INFO FOR THE FANS:
Dover Review by ARS Racing
IN-CAR AUDIO SITES
Fans Can Online(NASCAR Online)
looks like this is all that there is out there now….
PREVIEW, FACT SHEETS and MISC News
- Some Dover facts: The second starting position has been the most productive starting position at Dover, producing 11 race winners. First and third have each produced 10 victories giving the top three positions 31 of the 63 race winners. Jeff Gordon, Bill Elliott and Ricky Rudd lead all active drivers, each with four victories at Dover. They are followed by Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace with three each. Three drivers have won three straight races at Dover: David Pearson (fall of 1972 and both races in 1973), Rusty Wallace (fall of 1993 and both races in 1994) and Jeff Gordon (fall of 1995 and both races in 1996).(NASCAR PR)(9-18-2001)
- Dover Downs Firefighters: hearing that several of the track safety team (firefighters and EMT’s) will be leaving early Wednesday for a trip to.Baldwin, NY. The group includes the Emergency Services director from Dover Downs. They will make the trek to provide relief for the weary firefighters involved in the NYC tragedy. The group will stay there until late Thursday and then head back to Dover for a 6:30am/et reporting time for Friday’s track activities. It was reported that Baldwin lost five members of its department in the collapse of one of the towers. Companies include Dover (Robbins Hose), Camden-Wyoming, Magnolia, and Newark(Aetna). The track safety team does have one retired member from FDNY and several active members from the Baldwin NY fire dept. It is not known if they will make this race or not.(9-18-2001)
- : MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 Race Info
- CBS Sportsline: MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 Preview
- CNN/SI: MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 – Dog days of autumn
- Crew Chief Club
- FoxSports: MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 preview – Dover ‘show-Downs’ for Gordon, Rudd
- Frontstretch: Raceday Today – MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400
- NASCAR.com: MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 Race Page
- Yahoo: MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 – Preview
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RACE ODDs
- note: this is not to promote gambling but to offer readers odds and ideas on what the
‘experts’ think about the upcoming race and the Cup series season - NASCAR Odds – Early Odds for the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400
- Vegas Insider – MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 odds
- World Sports Exchange – MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 odds
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QUALIFYING, PRACTICE and RESULTS
news and links
- Little E wins at Dover: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr won the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr 400 at Dover. Great scene with Dale Jr carrying a large USA Flag around the track on his backwards victory lap. 2nd place finisher was #25-Jerry Nadeau who started 41st using a provisional. #28-Ricky Rudd was 3rd and #24-Jeff Gordon was 4th, Gordon lost 10 points to Rudd, but still leads the Winston Cup Championship by 212 points, with #20-Stewart 3rd, 412 points behind. See for Unofficial Results and Driver Standings and a : Rudd spins, Earnhardt Jr. wins(9-23-2001)
- How did the Rookie of the Year Candidates do at Dover?
#01-Leffler 151.178, missed the race, 1 rookie point
#14-Hornaday 153.833, started 8th, finished 34th, 9
#19-Atwood 153.094, started 18th, finished 9th, 12
#29-Harvick 153.446, started 14th, finished, 6th, 15
#96-Houston 151.873, started 36th, finished 40th, 8
#97-Busch 151.509, started 43rd provisional, finished 41st, 7(9-23-2001) - MBNA Cal Ripken Jr 400 Lineup
- #500 for Beam: #32 PPI Motorsports crew chief, Mike Beam, will crew chief his 500th race today at Dover(FSN’s NASCAR This Morning)(9-23-2001)
- Happy Hour Practice at Dover. #21-Elliott Sadler was the fastest with a speed of 147.959mph with #55-Bobby Hamilton second fasyesy at 147.814. Slowest were #7-Mike Wallace at 144.933 and #44-Buckshot Jones at 144.910. #92-Compton had transmission problems and #99-Burton lost an engine. See for the Saturday’s final practice speeds(9-22-2001)
- Dover on Sunday: Viewers can expect a patriotic broadcast as NASCAR Winston Cup returns to racing Sunday with the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 from Dover Downs International Speedway with coverage beginning at 12:30pm/et. Grammy-Award winner Lee Greenwood.s stirring salute to patriotism “God Bless the U.S.A.” highlights live coverage of the pre-race ceremonies.. Tanya Tucker will sing “God Bless America,” while the expected 140,000 race fans in attendance wave American flags they received upon entering the track. Tucker will also sing the “The Star-Spangled Banner”. In addition to the pre-race festivities, many drivers, teams and owners have pledged donations based on their performances at this weekend.s race and many cars will stray from there normal paint schemes, instead opting for American flags and patriotic messages.. Cal Ripken Jr. will greet drivers and then take a lap around the track to greet fans before waving the green flag from the starter.s box to signal the start of the race bearing his name.(NBC PR)(9-22-2001)
- Dale Jarrett wins the pole at Dover: #88-Dale Jarrett won the Bud pole for the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr 400 with a speed of 154.919mph. Jarrett’s 4th pole of 2001 and 14th of his career and his first ever at Dover. Jarrett also donated the $5,000 for winning the pole to the Red Cross. Outside pole goes to #18-Bobby Labonte with a speed of 154.872. Winston Cup drivers points leader, #24-Jeff Gordon will start 23rd. #13-Hermie Sadler makes his first 2001 Winston Cup start (32nd spot) after missing in five other tries. CNN/SI will re-air qualifying tonight at 9:00pm/et.
For results/lineups, see or NASCAR.com or MotorsportsOne(9-21-2001) - Missing the race at Dover: #01-Jason Leffler(35th in owners points); #27-Rick Mast(43rd); #71-Dave Marcis(47th); and #47-Lance Hooper(60th), see my DNQ(did not qualify) page for past DNQ’s(9-21-2001)
- Using Provisionals: #10-Benson; #6-Martin; #26-Spencer; #17-Kenseth; #25-Nadeau; #93-Blaney; and #97-Busch. Four drivers who had no provisionals to available to use made the race: #4-Lepage; #7-Wallace; #14-Hornaday; and #44-Jones. More info on provisionals, see my Provisionals Page(9-21-2001)
- Saturday AM Practice at Dover: #66-Todd Bodine was the fastest at 149.938mph, with #55-Bobby Hamilton second fastest at 149.694. Slowest were #31-Mike Skinner at 145.979 and #13-Hermie Sadler at 144.729. See for the Saturday morning practice speeds(9-22-2001)
- Pole Progression at Dover
#22-Ward Burton. 1st out to qualify, 152.704mph, will start 25th
#18-Bobby Labonte, 2nd out, 154.872, will start 2nd
#88-Dale Jarrett, 16th out, 154.919, will start 1st(9-21-2001) - Friday Practice at Dover is over. Top ten in speeds as follows:
#28-Rudd 155.898mph
#21-Sadler 155.159
#55-Hamilton 155.119
#1-Wallace 154.945
#8-Earnhardt Jr 154.652
#88-Jarrett 154.639
#44-Jones 154.540
#12-Mayfield 154.447
#33-Nemechek 154.420
#92-Compton 154.334
Speeds courtesy of Dale from the Kenny Wallace Racing site, see full rundown of speeds at (9-21-2001) - Qualifying Order is up for the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr 400 at Dover. 47 cars/driver listed, no #89-Morgan Shepherd listed. First scheduled out is #22-Ward Burton, last driver scheduled out is #6-Mark Martin. See above for the link(s). CNN/SI will televised qualifying live at 1:30pm/et, MRN will air qualifying via radio/internet and NASCAR.com will have lap by lap coverage online(9-21-2001)
- Entry List is posted. See above for the link at NASCAR.com. 48 teams/drivers are listed, including #13-Hermie Sadlerm #47-Lance Hooper, #71-Dave Marcis, #89-Morgan Shepherd and #96-Andy Houston(9-18-2001)
- Back to 2 laps UPDATE: it was announced at the beginning of CNN/SI’s qualifying coverage that qualifying would go back to 2 laps of qualifying at all Super Speedways (1 mile or more) starting this week at Michigan. So I guess that means 2 laps is back for all the tracks since 2 laps were going to be the cast at the two short tracks and restrictor plate tracks. All but the road courses which there will be no more in 2001(8-17-2001)
UPDATE: NASCAR officials have changed their minds again and gone back to two laps during its single round of qualifying. NASCAR announced at Daytona in early July that qualifying would be reduced to a single lap at tracks of 1-mile or longer except for Daytona and Talladega, beginning at New Hampshire on July 22. Teams ran two laps at New Hampshire, however, because of a new sealer that had been applied to the track’s surface. The cars then ran one lap for three races, but after complaints from the teams that a single lap prevented them from overcoming a mistake, the policy has been changed again and cars can now once more run a second lap if they choose()(8-18-2001) - Qualifying Rules Changed UPDATE: ESPN2’s RPM 2Night mentioned tonight that starting at New Hampshire that qualifying would consist of one lap of qualifying instead of the two laps that have been run this year. The exceptions are tracks smaller then one mile (Bristol, Richmond and Martinsville) and the two restrictor plate tracks, Daytona and Talladega(7-5-2001)
UPDATE: it was mentioned on FSN’s Totally NASCAR show on Thurs that the Cup drivers would run 2 laps of Qualifying for the New England 300 at New Hampshire. The plan is to still have one lap of qualifying at all intermediate tracks (1 to 2 miles in length) but the format will be determined in a track-to-track basis for the rest of the season(7-19-2001) - an interesting point: When NASCAR officials decided to disallow Jerry Nadeau’s qualifying time at Daytona in Feb 2001, it raised an interesting question. With the Winston Cup series having only one round of qualifying the rest of the season, what happens if an unapproved part is found? According to NASCAR, drivers no longer have to post an official qualifying time to use a provisional, they only have to practice. So a driver could have a penalty on a qualifying issue but still have access to one of the seven provisionals for the race(Richmond Times Dispatch)(2-11-2001)
- How to break a tie during qualifying?(same speed/time) When drivers are tied for a starting spot during qualifying, it is broken by owners points standings(not drivers). For provisionals standings see the Jayski’s Provisional Status page
- Links: Practice speeds, qualifying and results can be found at these
sites: NASCAR Online, Racin Network, and
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TRACK/RACE NEWS
- Dover News UPDATE 2Scanner and hints: In lieu of the recent tragic events of September 11 in New York City, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Dover Downs International Speedway is stepping up it’s already high level of security for the upcoming NASCAR tripleheader race weekend, September 21-23. Some basic points that Dover Downs are stressing in that race fans planning on attending the races are directly affected:
(1) Heightened Security – Dover Downs has already invested a great deal of energy and time in formulating an anti-terrorist plan. For several years a plan has been in place that was formulated in cooperation with the FBI and local police authorities. The Dover Downs
Director of Security has been attending anti-terrorist task force meetings in Maryland annually and is up to speed on current issues.
There will be a heightened awareness and focus in the area of security for the upcoming race weekend
.
(2) No Coolers, Backpacks or Large Bags Allowed – For the upcoming September 21-23 race weekend, fans WILL NOT be allowed to bring coolers, backpacks or large bags onto the race track grounds. Fans will not be allowed to carry these items to the gates and leave them. While Dover Downs regrets having to make this move, it is being done for obvious precautionary reasons. In conjunction with the move, Dover Downs WILL BE REDUCING THE PRICE OF ITS CONCESSIONS(hearing 20-30% and Newszap is reporting concession prices will be dropped by $1 across the board) to compensate for this new rule.
(3) Gate Searches – All items will be subject to inspection by security officials as fans enter the track. The hope is that Dover Downs race fans will understand that events of the past week have brought about the need for more caution and will respond with patience while preparing to enter the facility. In fact, it is recommended that fans bring as little into the race as possible, and might consider taking their souvenir purchases to their vehicles before entering the track for the race events
“While we regret that we have to step up our security measures to this extent, it is, at this time, completely necessary,” said Denis
McGlynn, Dover Downs president and CEO. “We don’t know how long the changes will have to be in place. But given the events of the past seven days, we think it is of the highest importance that this race takes place in a completely safe manner. Our hearts go out to the
victims of the senseless crimes and their families and loved ones. Now our efforts must be applied to taking care of our fans.”(Dover Downs PR)(9-17-2001)
SCANNERS: been told that it is okay to bring scanners but make sure that they are not in a case or carry bag. In others words,
just carry them and your headphones into the track(9-19-2001)
HINTS:Been told that if you carry in items, please use clear plastic bags so that security people can see thru them easily…scanner bags should be avoided, along with all the other containers listed above. Dover Downs security is trying to make this as easy as possible without compromising security(9-20-2001)
UPDATE Coolers: Dover Track president Denis McGlynn had a message for fans trying to beat the no-coolers rule in effect for all tracks: “We’ve found fans trying to convert items into coolers. If you’ve got a stack of [beer cans] in a Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket, you’re probably not going to get in.”(AJC) PRICES Dover Downs helped temper fans anger at being unable to bring ice chests inside the track by reducing concession prices. Beer was $2 for a 12-ounce can and $4 for a 24-ounce can at stands. A tray of chicken tenders was $3.(Gaston Gazette)(9-23-2001) - Dover Grand Marshal and National Anthem UPDATE: Dover Downs will honor baseball great Cal Ripken, Jr., who is scheduled to be the Grand Marshal and have the racee named for him, the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr 400 and Country music star Tanya Tucker will sing the National Anthem and God Bless America(9-18-2001)
UPDATE: As race fans celebrate the return of NASCAR action this weekend, Dover Downs International Speedway will, in turn, celebrate with some big-time pre-race ceremonies. For example, on Sunday, September 23rd, the stage at the start-finish line will host the likes of Cal Ripken, Jr., Lee Greenwood, Tanya Tucker, and a special ceremony to honor the retirement of Winston Cup racer Dave Marcis. It is just the icing on the cake for a very full NASCAR tripleheader weekend, September 21-23. The Sunday activities at Dover Downs will serve the dual purpose of welcoming back Winston Cup racing and honoring those who tragically died in the recent terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. A strong patriotic feeling will be in evidence as race fans will be given American flags to wave at the start of the race. Cal Ripken Jr. will be introduced by MBNA, the company responsible for helping bring him to Dover Downs, and will be on stage to meet and greet all the racers in the field for the MBNA Cal Ripken, Jr. 400. Lee Greenwood will sing “Proud To Be An American,” Tanya Tucker, the popular country music star, will then add to the patriotic fervor by singing “God Bless America” and the national anthem. Ripken, meanwhile, will do a lap around the track in a convertible so fans can have a closer look at the baseball hero then take to the starter’s box to wave the green flag for the start of the race bearing his name. A quartet of singers from the Delaware State University Music Department will perform the national anthem prior to the start of the BGNN race. On Saturday, the Busch Series racers take to the track for the MBNA.COM 200 race. The national anthem to be performed just prior to the start of that race will be performed by Candace Myers of Frederick, MD.(Dover Downs PR)(9-18-2001) - Dover Rumor? New Hampshire Instead? UPDATE NO It is DOVER: hearing UNCONFIRMED rumors that it is under consideration to move this weeks race to New Hampshire and run Dover on Nov 23rd, but at this point it is nothing but speculation. The above PR from Dover Downs seems to indicate that Dover plans to have the race there this weekend. New Hampshire was of course postponed due to the Attacks in NYC and Wash DC on Sept 11th. Dover has a large military presence (Jayski was stationed there 1982-86) and the base is being used for the bodies of the Wash, D.C. Pentagon attack and teams are being asked to give up rooms needed for military personnel and families of the dead
UPDATE: sources tell me there is no truth to this rumor and that the race WILL BE AT DOVER DOWNS this weekend and that the NHIS-Dover swap was never discussed or considered. Also see column at Lap by Lap: Dover Race might be in jeopardy by Mike Mulhern, which include comments from Dover Downs officials Denis McGlynn and John Dunlap(9-17-2001) - Dover Hotel Room Problem? NASCAR.com is reporting – that due to the influx of military and medical personnel into the Dover, Del. area, some hotels have been calling NASCAR teams asking if they would be willing to cancel their contracted reservations for next weekend’s events at Dover. Because of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the nearby Dover Air Force Base has been elevated to “alert status.” The base is expecting an influx of military personnel to handle the deceased and wounded from the terrorist attacks, along with those aiding in the clean-up and recovery operations. If the NASCAR teams choose not to give up their rooms, the hotels are still honoring the reservations. The only thing that could override the reservation is a mandate from the U.S. government.(NASCAR.com)(9-15-2001)
- Ripken Scheme? UPDATE 4: hearing #18-Bobby Labonte’s car will have a special Cal Ripken Jr farewell paint job at Dover in September. Ripken Jr plays for the Baltimore Orioles and is retiring at the end of the 2001 baseball season(8-17-2001)
UPDATE: hearing that since Cal Ripken’s last home game will be the evening of the race, at Camden Yards vs. the Yankees. To honor his achievements, MBNA will be renaming the race from the MBNA 400 to the Cal Ripken 400 (or something similar) and that Ripken will be present at the race as the Grand Marshal(8-20-2001)
UPDATE 2: also hearing that #18-Mike McLaughlin will drive the Cal Ripken car in the MNBA 200 BGN race and that a formal announcment will come in the next 7-10 days(8-23-2001)
UPDATE 3: NASCAR and Major League Baseball are expected to finalize an unprecedented agreement within the next 10 days that would celebrate Cal Ripken Jr.s retirement in a most unique way. For starters, the MBNA 400 Winston Cup race scheduled for Sept. 23 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Del., will be renamed the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400. In addition, the Orioles third baseman will act as the grand marshal for the 1 p.m. race before flying back to Baltimore to play in the final home game of his career at Camden Yards that night. We have been waiting for a couple of days for a sewn-up package, said Carmine Tiso, a media relations specialist handling business matters for Major League Baseball. Hopefully in the next week or 10 days it will be (finalized). There are a lot of parties involved including us, the Orioles, MBNA. Tiso described the deal as all but done. Another source close to the deal said a joint announcement about the specifics could come as early as Thursday at Camden Yards. NASCAR has some other tributes planned for Ripken, as well. The Interstate Batteries/MBNA #18 car driven by defending Winston Cup champion Bobby Labonte will be repainted for the Dover race to include a Cal Ripken logo. The Ripken logo will also be on Mike McLaughlins car during the MBNA 200 Busch Series race that Saturday at Dover Downs, Tiso confirmed. The tentative plan, according to the source close to the deal, is for Ripken to arrive in Dover about 100 miles from Camden Yards on Sunday around 9 a.m., sit in on the morning drivers meeting and conduct a short news conference with the motorsports media. Ripken will be part of the drivers introductions and will be driven in a convertible around the track before the race begins. Ripken will then wave the green flag to start the race before getting in a helicopter and flying back to Baltimore. The winner of the Winston Cup race will be invited to fly to Baltimore as Ripkens guest for that nights game.(York Daily Record) and another story at the Washington Post: Ripken Farewell Faces a Switch(8-24-2001)
UPDATE 4 – maybe? One major obstacle lies in the path of Dover Downs quest to rename the Sept. 23 MBNA 400 after one of major league baseballs all-time greatest players. According to track publicist John Dunlap, if the New York Yankees agree to allow the Baltimore Orioles to push back the start of their game at Camden Yards from its currently scheduled 1:35 p.m. start to somewhere between 5 and 7, Cal Ripken Jr. will serve as grand marshal of the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Dunlap also said a press conference is supposedly scheduled for Thursday at Camden Yards regarding this announcement, but didnt name a time.(NASCAR.com)(8-30-2001)
UPDATE 5: Thanks to the efforts of MBNA, fans on hand for the NASCAR Winston Cup race on September 23rd at Dover Downs International Speedway will have the added bonus of seeing one of the greatest baseball players in the history of the game live and in person. A day that is already very special to Cal Ripken, Jr., has become equally special for NASCAR racing. Before Cal Ripken plays his last game at Camden Yards on September 23rd, he has some other business to attend to – like being the Grand Marshal of a
Winston Cup race that is now officially being called the MBNA Cal Ripken, Jr. 400. Ripken also will wave the green flag, meet with Winston Cup drivers and take a ride around the Monster Mile just prior to the start of the race bearing his name. As far as anyone associated with motorsports can remember, Ripken thus becomes the first major league baseball player to have a Winston Cup race named in his honor. And while there are plenty of honors coming his way as he prepares to retire, as far as Ripken is concerned, the trip to Dover Downs is special.(Dover Downs PR)(9-6-2001)
IMAGE: got an image of what #18-Bobby Labonte’s car will look like at Dover, it’s a tiny image, but gives you an idea, lots of Oriole orange, see my Paint Schemes Gallery for the images(9-8-2001) - How to Calculate Track Speeds: use the formula Speed = Distance divided by Time. Distance is Track Length, and Lap Time into Hours. Once hour is 3600 seconds, so the calculation for a 48 second lap at Daytona(2.5 miles) would be: Speed = 2.5 x (3600/48), = 2.5 x 75 = 187.500mph. For a 19 second lap at Bristol(.533 miles): Speed = .533 x (3600/19), = .533 x 189.474 = a speed of 100.990mph
- Past track news: posted in the past at Jayski’s Past Track News/Rumors – Dover
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DRIVER/TEAM NEWS
- Black Boxes at Dover UPDATE: NASCAR is conducting its first test of accident-data recorders in cars racing this weekend at Dover Downs, Winston Cup Series director Gary Nelson said Friday. #92-Jimmie Johnson and #57-Jason Keller are running them in their BGN cars and #18-Bobby Labonte and #24-Jeff Gordon will drive with them in their Winston Cup cars. Nelson said NASCAR wants to know if the self-contained boxes, which will be powered by regular flashlight-style batteries, can withstand the heat generated inside Cup cars and whether they will be durable enough to hold up to a weekend’s schedule of practice, qualifying and a 400-mile race on Sunday. Nelson said NASCAR wants to have the recorders in all Winston Cup, Grand National and Truck series race vehicles by next February at Daytona() AND The boxes, which are powered by batteries, have been mounted near the drivers on the inside left frame. Winston Cup Director Gary Nelson said NASCAR is testing the recorders’ durability and their resistance to heat.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(9-22-2001)
UPDATE: it’s been reported that seven(7) Cup cars had black boxes, some of difference versions, didn’t say which cars(9-25-2001) - See the 2001 Team Chart which has links to past news for each team and the 2002 Team Chart
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PAINT SCHEME NEWS
- #17 Paint Scheme for Aug/Sept: The #17 DeWalt Ford will debut its New Products paint scheme which will run from Indianapolis through Dover. The paint scheme is an integration of the new product line and the designs submitted through the DEWALT 2002 Paint Scheme contest. The winners were Robert Williams Lutherville, MD and Brian Grossman of Cincinnati, OH. This scheme will
run thru the Sept June race at Dover(Grandstand PR)(7-31-2001) - More Paint Scheme news can be found on Paint Schemes Gallery, choose current news
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STATS and STUFF
- Elliott – 31 races – no DNF UPDATE: #9-Bill Elliott has been running at the end of 31 consecutive races(counting last season since he DNF’d at Charlotte/Lowes), which is the circuit’s longest active streak. One other drivers have made all the races in 2001 and not DNF’d(did not finish): #55-Bobby Hamilton (now 28 straight without a DNF since Talladega Oct 2000). Brett Bodine had his first DNF of 2001 at Richmond(2nd race) a streak of 31 straight races(9-9-2001)
- Top Fives: There have been 30 different Cup drivers(no new drivers at Richmond) who have scored a Top-5 so far in 2001….2000’s total was 28, 1999’s total was 28 and 1998’s total number was 27(9-9-2001)
- Top Tens: There have been 41 different Cup drivers (no new drivers at Richmond) who have scored a Top-10 in 2001…..2000’s total was 41, 1999’s total was 40 and 1998’s total number was 41(9-9-2001)
- Provisional Finishes in 2001: In 168 provisional starts(24 races x 7 no qualifying at Darlington 3/2001 or Dover 6/2001), drivers have accumulated 2 Wins, 7 Top 5’s and 21 Top 10’s. #25-Jerry Nadeau was the highest provisional starter/finisher at Richmond with a 14th. See my Provisional Finishes Page for each race finish by the provisionals starters(9-9-2001)
- No Laps Lead by Labonte yet: #5-Terry Labonte remains the only driver to race in all 26 events this season and not lead at least one lap. The last time Labonte led a lap was the Winston 500 last October at Talladega. 47 drivers have now led laps, no new leaders at Richmond. See the Bonus Points/Laps Led page(9-9-2001)
- Consecutive Winston Cup Starts: Ricky Rudd is the current leader with with 634 consecutive starts followed by Rusty Wallace at 543, Ken Schrader with 513 and Mark Martin has 427 consecutive Cup starts. Terry Labonte had 655 (and holds the all time record) but sat out the 2000 Brickyard 400 to end his record streak. Dale Earnhardt had 648 consecutive Winston Cup starts until his death at Daytona(9-9-2001)
- 2000 winners who have not won in 2001: Mark Martin, Jeremy Mayfield, Matt Kenseth and Jerry Nadeau. Terry Labonte, Joe Nemechek and John Andretti earned victories in 1999 and have not won since.(9-9-2000)
- No Top Fives Since…. It has been a while since some drivers have had a top five finish on the Winston Cup circuit. Here are those with the longest streak of races without a top-five finish:
Driver Races Finish Track Date Since Dave Marcis* 316 3rd Watkins Glen 8-10-87 Brett Bodine 225 2nd Indianapolis 8-6-94 Rick Mast 141 4th Martinsville 9-22-96 Kyle Petty 108 3rd Dover 9-21-97 Ken Schrader 102 4th Richmond 9-12-98 Hut Stricklin 83 2nd Darlington 9-1-96 Mike Wallace 66 5th Atlanta 11-13-94 Dave Marcis has not had a top 10 since April 10, 1994 in the Food City 500 at Bristol, he finished 10th. Regular Drivers Without a Career Top Five Driver Races Dave Blaney 59 Stacy Compton 52 Buckshot Jones 38 Cup drivers(not including 2001 rookies) (* not full time Cup in 2001) (compiled from UMI Press Guides, Winston Cup Updates) (9-9-2001) - No Wins Ever…. Some regular drivers in Winston Cup who have
never won a Cup race and how many starts they have:
Active Drivers Driver Races Run Rick Mast 352 Hut Stricklin 300 Ted Musgrave 299* Dick Trickle 266* Kenny Wallace 233* Wally Dallenbach 226* Chad Little 216* Robert Pressley 194 Johnny Benson 188 Ricky Craven 170 Mike Skinner 167 Steve Grissom 141* Todd Bodine 135 Kevin Lepage 115 David Green 78* Dave Blaney 59 Stacy Compton 52 Buckshot Jones 38 All Time - Over 400 Starts Driver Races Run JD McDuffie 653 Buddy Arrington 560 Neil Castles 497 Jimmy Means 455 Cecil Gordon 450 G.C. Spencer 415
*not a full time or regular Cup driver
(9-9-2001)(UMI Press Guides Stats/Winston Cup Updates)
Driver Races Run Last Win Track Dave Marcis 481* 2/21/82 Richmond Brett Bodine 352 4/22/90 North Wilkesboro Ken Schrader 329 6/2/91 Dover Derrike Cope 272* 6/3/90 Dover Jimmy Spencer 228 7/24/94 Talladega Bill Elliott 219 9/4/94 Darlington Kyle Petty 179 6/4/95 Dover Geoffrey Bodine 121* 8/11/96 Watkins Glen Terry Labonte 85 3/28/99 Texas John Andretti 84 4/18/99 Martinsville Joe Nemechek 62 9/19/99 New Hampshire Mark Martin 51 4/9/00 Martinsville Matt Kenseth 48 5/28/00 Lowes Jeremy Mayfield 43 6/19/00 Pocono Jerry Nadeau 24 11/20/00 Atlanta *not a full time or regular Cup driver (9-9-2001)(UMI Press Guides Stats/Winston Cup Updates)
Have already won in 2001 and extended or started their streaks: Driver Years Last Win Rusty Wallace 16 California, Apr 2001 Dale Jarrett 9 New Hamsphire, July 2001 Jeff Gordon 8 Watkins Glen, Aug 2001 Bobby Labonte 7 Pocono, July 2001 Jeff Burton 5 Lowes, May 2001 Tony Stewart 3 Bristol, Aug 2001 Steve Park 2 Rockingham, Feb 2001 Dale Earnhardt Jr 2 Daytona, July 2001 Ward Burton 2 Darlington, Sept 2001 Michael Waltrip 1 Daytona, Feb 2001 Kevin Harvick 1 Chicago, July 2001 Elliott Sadler 1 Bristol, Mar 2001 Bobby Hamiton 1 Talladega, Apr 2001 Ricky Rudd 1 Richmond, Sept 2001 Sterling Marlin 1 Michigan, August 2001 Thru 2000 season: Mark Martin 4 Martinsville, Apr 2000 Jeremy Mayfield 1 Pocono, June 2000 Matt Kenseth 1 Charlotte, May 2000 Jerry Nadeau 1 Atlanta, Nov 2000 Streaks that ended in 2000 that were thru 1999 season: Driver Years Last Win Terry Labonte 6 Texas, Apr 1999 John Andretti 1 Martinsville, Apr 1999 Joe Nemechek 1 New Hampshire, Sept 1999
All Time Record is Richard Petty – 18 years from 1960-1977
(info from UMI Official NASCAR Preview and Press Guides
and Winston Cup Updates)(9-9-2001)
Richard Petty 1,177 Dave Marcis 880* Darrell Waltrip 809 Ricky Rudd 721* Bobby Allison 717 Terry Labonte 699*
* = active drivers(9-18-2001)
The drivers who won in 2000: Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart, Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Steve Park, Jeremy Mayfield, Ward Burton, Jeff Gordon and Jerry Nadeau.
Terry Labonte, Joe Nemechek and John Andretti are the drivers who earned victories in 1999 and did not win in 2000. Two drivers who won in 1998 Bobby Hamilton and Ricky Rudd, have not won since(11-21-2000)
UPDATE: and an addition to the story: Others in early season points peril by David Poole(4-6-2001)
UPDATE: Add Bobby Labonte as the 2nd ever provisional winner by winning the 1999 NAPA 500 at Atlanta(11-21-1999)
UPDATE 2: Add Bobby Labonte as the 3rd ever provisional winner by winning the 2000 Southern 500 at Darlington(9-3-2000)
UPDATE 3: Add Elliott Sadler as the 4th ever provisional winner by winning the 2001 Food City 500 at Bristol(3-25-2001)
UPDATE 4: Add Ward Burton as the 5th ever provisional winner by winning the 2001 Southern 500 at Darlington(9-2-2001)
NASCAR
Starting Position Race Driver 43 1950 Southern 500, Darlington Johnny Mantz 43 1953 Raliegh, NC Fonty Flock 38 provisional 2001 Food City 500, Bristol Elliott Salder 38 provisional 1999 Jiffy Lube 300, Loudon Jeff Burton 38 1988 Firecracker 400, Daytona Bill Elliott 37 provisional 1999 NAPA 500, Atlanta Bobby Labonte 37 provisional 2000 Southern 500, Darlington Bobby Labonte 37 provisional 2001 Southern 500, Darlington Ward Burton 37 1995 Miller 500, Dover Kyle Petty 37 1959 Lakewood Speedway, Atl, GA Lee Petty 36 2000 Diehard 500, Talladega Jeff Gordon 35 2000 Cracker Barrel 500, Atlanta Dale Earnhardt (9-2-2001)
and his brother Terry, who won it in 1984 and 1996, have become the first brothers to do so in
Winston Cup history. There have been two father-son pairs; Lee and Richard Petty, and Ned and
Dale Jarrett AND Bobby Labonte is the first former BGN champ(since the series began in
1982, not counting the old Sportsman division) to win the Winston Cup championship(11-12-2000)