NASCAR WCUP: Jarrett looks to give UPS its first trip to victory lane

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Hampton, Ga., March 8, 2001 - Realizing just how hard it is to win once on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit, drivers are happy to have a victory anywhere -- regardless of the racetrack. But, a victory on Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway would have special significance for #88 UPS driver Dale Jarrett.

Items to consider heading into Sunday's running of the Cracker Barrel 500 (FOX; 1 p.m. EDT):

Atlanta serves as home to United Parcel Service's corporate headquarters. With 359,000 employees worldwide, UPS is the world's largest express delivery company.

Atlanta is also the place where UPS launched its association with Jarrett and the #88 Robert Yates Racing team last November.

Atlanta Motor Speedway is where Jarrett has captured everything at various points in his career. In the spring of 1997, Jarrett won this event. In the fall of 1999, he was formally crowned as NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion here. And last spring, the 44-year-old Hickory, N.C., product won his first pole position at AMS.

This time around, Jarrett will be seeking another first...not for himself, but for his new primary sponsor, UPS: a trip to Victory Lane.

Last weekend, Jarrett nearly did that before finishing second to Jeff Gordon in Sunday's UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The strong runner-up finish elevated Jarrett from 12th to fourth in the Winston Cup point standings!

Jarrett on the possibility of getting UPS that coveted first victory Sunday at AMS:

"It would be kind of special to do that for UPS in the company's own backyard," Jarrett said. "But having said that, when you realize how precious these (victories) are and everything it takes to accomplish them, we'd be happy to do it anywhere for UPS."

He added, "I think the people at UPS know we're going to do everything in our power to win pole positions and races wherever we go. Robert (Yates), Todd (Parrott), myself and all the guys on the 88 team expect that from ourselves. Our expectations are always high because we know we've got the people and resources in place to achieve what we set out to accomplish. And that means winning poles, races and championships. We came close to giving UPS a taste of those first two in Vegas last weekend, but I want them to experience all three before it's all said and done."

Text Provided By Kris Johnson

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