NASCAR WCUP: Jarrett wants to get 'back on track' at Michigan

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

August 16, 2001

UPS DRIVER AIMS TO GIVE OWNER ROBERT YATES 50th WIN

BROOKLYN, Mich., August 16, 2001 - Of all the places to try and rebound from a disappointing finish at Watkins Glen, Michigan Speedway would fall at the top of #88 UPS driver Dale Jarrett's wish list. Wish granted.

Items to consider heading into Sunday's Pepsi 400 (NBC; 1:30 p.m. EDT):

In 1991, Jarrett captured the first victory of his Winston Cup career at Michigan Speedway, winning the Champion 400 while driving for the Wood Brothers.

Michigan has remained a special venue for Jarrett, who's won a total of three Winston Cup races there (1991, 1996, 1999). The last time he visited Victory Lane at Michigan Speedway, Jarrett went on to win the first Winston Cup Championship of his career, in 1999.

If he can win a fourth time at Michigan on Sunday, Jarrett would succeed in giving team owner Robert Yates his 50th victory in what's become a storybook Winston Cup career.

Reasons, aside from DJ's distinguished track record, to believe Yates will reach that milestone mark in Michigan: he also has the benefit of having Ricky Rudd, who won this race at Michigan in 1993, on his side at a 2-mile oval where RYR horsepower can represent the difference between contending and winning.

As mentioned, Jarrett has a trio of Winston Cup victories at Michigan. The only place he's won more at is Daytona International Speedway (1993, 1996, 1999, 2000). Note: He also owns three wins at both Lowe's (Charlotte) Motor Speedway and Darlington Raceway (1997, 1998, 2001).

Jarrett, on many occasions, has mentioned Michigan Speedway as his favorite place to race on the Winston Cup circuit, "Yeah, it is. I usually tell people when they ask that whatever track we won at last is my favorite, which would be New Hampshire right now, but it's probably Michigan if I had to choose just one. I think getting my first Winston Cup victory there in 1991 certainly makes Michigan special in my mind. But, I also like the track itself and the type of racing we do there."

Text provided by Kris Johnson

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