#4-Bobby Hamilton used overtime and a wild last-lap pass of fellow veteran #42-Mike Skinner to claim the win in Saturday’s EasyCare 200, the inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. A late-race caution forced the scheduled 130-lap race to go to Lap 133, as series rules require a green-flag finish. Skinner led on the restart on Lap 132, followed by Hamilton, then rookie and pole-winner #17-David Reutimann. Skinner stayed out front until Hamilton moved around him on the outside exiting Turn 4 on the last lap. The two trucks touched slightly approaching the finish line, sending Skinner into a slide. Hamilton ended up winning by .330 seconds. Reutimann finished third, #24-Travis Kvapil fourth and #6-Matt Crafton finished a career-high fifth. #99-Carl Edwards (seventh) continues to lead the points.
#14-Rick Crawford, #13-Tina Gordon and #21-Hank Parker Jr. were involved in a scary accident on Lap 44 after Gordon cut a tire and drifted down the track and then back into the path of approaching traffic. All three were taken to Atlanta Medical Center, Crawford and Gordon by ground transportation and Parker Jr. by air. The three were awake and alert en route. Hospital officials said Crawford was treated for a fractured left foot and released. Gordon was being treated for a fractured right fibula (lower leg). She was expected to remain at the hospital overnight. Parker Jr. was undergoing tests Saturday night, as was #40-Joey Clanton, who was hurt in a later wreck. The race was slowed four times by caution for 26 laps. There were 11 lead changes, including five in the final 11 laps, among four drivers.(ThatsRacin.com)
See results at ThatsRacin.com, MotorsportsOne, TruckSeries.com or NASCAR.com.(3-13-2004)
