NASCAR Winston Cup Series ACDelco 400: Friday notes

26 October 1997

NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Friday Notebook
ACDelco 400
North Carolina Motor Speedway
October 24, 1997

NEW PAINT FOR NEMECHEK

ROCKINGHAM, NC - 

Joe Nemechek's No. 42 Pontiac is sporting a new paint job beginning  this 
weekend as a promotion for primary sponsor BellSouth's 1-800-BELLSOUTH 
campaign. The Team SABCO Grand Prix's regular blue and neon-striped coat has 
been changed to black with blue and purple-striped accents. 

"There's something about a black car that excites race fans and intimidates 
competitors," said Nemechek, who is seeking his first career victory. "It has 
a sort of stigma surrounding it. Maybe other drivers will see me coming and 
in their mirror and think I'm Earnhardt. Who knows? It may work."


PONTIACS UP FRONT AT THE ROCK

Pontiac was well-represented in the top five following first round qualifying 
with three drivers, including pole winner Bobby Labonte, piloting Grand 
Prixs. 

Ward Burton, who won this event in 1995 to record his first Winston Cup 
victory, will start the No. 22 MBNA Pontiac third on the grid. "I probably 
left a little bit on the table in (turns) one and two," said Burton of his 
effort. "I'm kind of disappointed, but I'm at one of those tracks where I 
know I can do really good. Last time I won this race I qualified in the 
top-five, so maybe that will be a good omen for us Sunday." 

Kyle Petty's fifth-place starting position is his best since starting third 
at Dover Downs International Speedway in June. "That's the best I've gotten 
through (turns) one and two," said Petty, who has posted three of Pontiac's 
ten victories at The Rock. "When you get through one corner good you think 
you can get through the other corner good and you can't. You never can. I got 
into three too hard and washed up in the middle of the race track. It was all 
motor from there on out."