Bill Elliott broke a 49 race losing streak this afternoon as he dominated the Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 at North Carolina Speedway. His 44th career victory (he’s 14th all-time) was his first since he won at The Brickyard in August of 2002. And, considering he had to go to the back of the field for an engine change, it was all the more impressive. Pretty good weekend for the Ray Evernham Racing. First, you win the pit-crew Championship on Saturday, then you run 1-3 on Sunday. This was Ray’s 4th win as an owner….all with Elliott as the wheelman. Bill becomes the 17th different winner this season….we had 18 last year. A very chopped up race today….that’ll happen when the cautions fly during a pit cycle. As in life, timing is everything. Matt Kenseth (4th….and we might have a little something more on him later in this newsletter) had his best finish since he was 4th at Bristol in August. Tony Raines (6th) had his career-best finish today. His previous best was 14th at Richmond in May. And, his first-ever Top-10 gives us 42 drivers to register than mark this season….the exact same number as last year. Jeff Burton (7th) had his best finish since he was 4th at Richmond in September. Sterling Marlin (10th) had his best finish since he was 10th at Pocono in July. Larry Foyt (28th) equaled his career-best finish today. This was the third time he’s finished 28th….Dover in June and Phoenix last week were the other two. STREAKIN….Jimmie Johnson has 6 Top-10’s in a row. Ryan Newman has 9 Top-10’s in the last 10 races. Tony Stewart has 7 Top-10’s in the last 8 races. Bill Elliott has 5 Top-10’s in the last 6 races. This Week’s Elevator….UP: Operator of the Week is Jeff Green (+22), followed by Sterling Marlin (+21), and Tony Stewart (+20). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Mark Martin (-29), followed by Michael Waltrip (-26), and Brian Vickers (-22). Not a lot of action in the “Shaft” today at The Rock. Little did we know when Matt Kenseth took the points lead after Atlanta back in March (Race #4) that school was out. And, for those detractors who say he didn’t win enough races, remember who won the most events in 2002. It’s consistency that counts….and nobody epitomized that more than Kenseth this season. Six of the Top-10 in points changed this week, and the last paying spot (25th) is still up for grabs. Johnny Benson (27th to 25th) was the only multi-position move upward. No one fell more than one spot. Elliott’s win clinched Kenseth a spot on the Winners Circle plan for ’04. Kevin Harvick is holding onto the last spot, but if any of 7 drivers win [the drivers with one win] next week, the 29 team is off.( StockCarFans.com Newsletter )(11-9-2003)
