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NASCAR Winston Cup Goody's Headache Powders 500: Provisional Status

22 August 1997

BRISTOL, TN - Several Winston Cup divers entered in the Goody's Headache Powers 500 will be qualifying for the event without the all mighty provisional staring position safety net to fall back on.

Dave Marcis, Morgan Shepherd and Wally Dallenbach have all fallen below the magical 40th place mark in season standings, the point above which provisionals are available. Marcis is currently 41st, Shepherd's #77 entry sits 42nd, and Dallenbach is 43rd after only having competed in 13 of the first 21 races. The #78 Ford piloted by Gary Bradberry this week is 45th in points and therefore also ineligible for a provisional starting position.

Ricky Craven must race his way into the possible 43-car field on time since his team has used up their allotted six provisionals to date. Jack Sprague used one of those freebies at the spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway when he was filling in for Craven who was injured in an accident during practice at Texas Motor Speedway the week before. The #25 Budweiser Chevrolet also started from the back of the pack at both Daytona International Speedway events, Sears Point Raceway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Watkins Glen International.

The Precision Products Racing Team is teetering on the edge with just one provisional staring position available to them until after attempting to qualify for the race at Richmond International Raceway on September 6th at which point they will receive an additional provisional.

Car owners receive four provisional starting positions at the beginning of the year and are awarded one additional provisional after 8 qualifying attempts. One additional provisional is also awarded following the 16th, 24th and 32nd attempts making a maximum eight provisional staring spots for an owner during a season.

Lori Vizza - The Auto Channel