#77-Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 19 TUMS QuikPak 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Hornish Jr. took top rookie honors for the ninth time this season and was credited with a 34th-place finish in the race. #01-Regan Smith and #77-Sam Hornish Jr. are tied for the lead (192-192) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 26 Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Since 1975, Kenny Irwin is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole at the fall race in Atlanta. Irwin grabbed the top spot for the 1998 Pep Boys Auto 500. The best finish in the fall race at Atlanta (since 1975) is second by Dale Earnhardt in 1979. Earnhardt finished one-half car length behind winner Neil Bonnett. Earnhardt also holds the record for most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie in the Pep Boys Auto 500, leading six times for 69 laps.(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos), for rookie standings, history and more, see my 2008 Rookies Page.(10-23-2008)
