NASCAR WCUP: Dale Jr. Gains 12 Positions in Final Seven Laps at Sears Point

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

June 25, 2001

Tony Stewart earned his first Winston Cup road course victory Sunday at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma,California, leading Robby Gordon and Jeff Gordon across the finish line. Stewart took the lead for the first time with 11 laps to go, passing Robby Gordon as the final yellow flag of the day fell on lap 102. Behind them, cars were careening everywhere in the final laps, looking more like a Keystone Kops episode than a NASCAR race. The variety of spins and crashes in the final laps allowed Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 8 Budweiser team to gain 12 positions in the final seven laps to finish 19th. It is the best road course finish ever for the sophomore Winston Cup Bud team.

The Key Moment: Though it was hard to pinpoint a single moment, perhaps a yellow flag on lap 33 proved to be the difference. Starting 37th, the red Bud car was a handful in the early laps, sliding sideways and dropping back as far as 41st position, and in serious danger of being lapped by the leaders. The yellow flag allowed them to stay on the lead lap and make a pit stop to make some major adjustments to the chassis.Following the stop, Dale Jr. was able to run lap times equal to the race leaders. The team also managed to stay on the lead lap despite two off-track 'excursions' late in the race.

Dale Jr’s Quotes: “God a’mighty! Those last couple o’ laps were crazier than hell! I came into the hairpin (turn 11) coming to the white flag and it was just a wall of dirt and smoke and s&*% all over the place. We just tried to get through it and somehow we made it through…”

“We must have set a record! No, really. I think I’m the first guy to spin out twice at Sears Point and stay on the lead lap… That’s GOTTA be a record!”

Text provided by Jade Gurss

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