"DODGING BULLETS" >Page 1, 2
Darlington Damage Control
"The Track Too Tough To Tame" doesn't very often give second chances, but the Joe Gibbs Racing team stole one from "The Lady In Black."
On Friday, Bobby's throttle stuck as he ran up the backstretch during morning practice and he destroyed his primary race car against the third turn wall. Fortunately, he was very lucky and was only bruised and sore. However, by the time the crew got the backup car out there was only time for one single lap of practice before qualifying. The team took a provisional and started the race in 37th spot.
Mother Nature caused the race to drag off and on for over six hours with multiple rain delays but the #18 car kept moving steadily up. Then, with rain threatening the leaders all pitted. The Interstate Batteries team blistered the pit stop and got him out in the lead. Moments later the heavens opened and the race was stopped handing him the victory.
Still Not Over
So now, Bobby has a 111 point lead over Dale Jarrett with just ten races remaining on the Winston Cup schedule. Looking over the remaining races one stands out as a true crap shoot compared to the rest. The teams return to Talladega on October 15th for the final restrictor plate race of the season.
At all of the other remaining tracks on the schedule you are largely in control of your own fate (although freak things can happen anywhere), but Winston Cup restrictor plate racing is "point-and-pray" racing. With large packs of cars running inches apart to maximize the aerodynamic effect any one driver making the smallest mistake can cause the huge multi-car pileup known as "The big one."
In the spring, Bobby was riding around deep in the pack when he got collected in "The big one" and finished 21st.
It would only take one bad finish for Dale Jarrett to make up those 111 points and catch him, but if Bobby can continue to turn lemons into lemonade he will be extremely tough to catch.
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