We had a “Yogi-ism” come true today…..it’s not over till it’s over. If you left Homestead-Miami Speedway after mile 399 of today’s Ford 400, you don’t know who won. Bill Elliott came up with a flat right rear coming off turn 2 of lap 267 and Bobby Labonte (who was urged by Fatback not to give up) passed the Awesome One for the win. Bobby led just that one final lap today….but it was good enough for his second victory of the season (he won at Atlanta in March) and the 21st of his Winston Cup (can’t say that much longer) career. This moves him into a tie with Bennie Parsons and Jack Smith for 26th on the all-time win list. Labonte’s win bumps Kevin Harvick and the #29 from the Winners Circle program for next year . For that matter, had Elliott held on another mile or so, the #9 team would have been on that plan. Kevin Harvick (2nd) had his best finish since he was runner-up at Darlington in September. Kevin was a bridesmaid six times this season. #10-Johnny Benson (4th) had his best finish since he won at Rockingham in November of 2002. #14-Larry Foyt (16th) had his career-best finish today….by a mile! His previous best was 28th three times this season…..at Dover in June and at Phoenix and Rockingham the last two weeks. #90-Ron Hornaday Jr had his best finish since he was 18th at Martinsville in October of 2001 (only 8 races). STREAKIN….Jimmie Johnson has 7 Top-10’s in a row. Jeff Gordon has 8 Top-10’s in the last 9 races. Tony Stewart has 8 Top-10’s in the last 9 races. Bill Elliott has 6 Top-10’s in the last 7 races. #25-Brian Vickers led a lap today for the first time in his Cup career. That brings us to 48 different drivers to lead a lap this season vs 46 last year. The Rookie Report: Jamie McMurray (9th….and named Rookie of the Year during the race…..what happened after the drop of the green flag?) is the top-finishing Freshman for the 21st time this season. He was followed by: Tony Raines (13th), Larry Foyt (16th), Casey Mears (27th), and Greg Biffle (35th). This Week’s Elevator….UP: Operator of the Week is Sterling Marlin (+31), followed by Todd Bodine (+23), Jeff Burton (+22), and Kenny Wallace (+21). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Ryan Newman (-33), followed by Brian Vickers (-31), Kurt Busch (-29), Mike Skinner (-22), and John Andretti (-20). Newman wrestled the BD title here at the final event (he had 5 of ’em this season), while our Champion Matt Kenseth was the leader in Ops (5 also). That lap 5 accident cost Ryan Newman $295K today….that’s the difference between 4th and 6th in the final points payoff. Kurt Busch also missed out on a chance to finish in the Top-10 and get a stage appearance. Jamie McMurray (15th to 13th) was the only multi-position mover on the up side today….Ryan Newman (4th to 6th), Michael Waltrip (13th to 15th) and Greg Biffle (18th to 20th) each fell two spots.( Stock Car Fans Newsletter )(11-16-2003)
