NASCAR-BGN: Rough Weekend for McLaughlin in Bristol

14 April 1999

BRISTOL, TN - After such a rough weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, Goulds Pumps driver Mike McLaughlin will welcome the week off in the NASCAR Busch Series schedule. McLaughlin battled hard throughout the weekend to overcome the many obstacles in his path to victory. Combined with strong determination from his team and their "never say die" attitude, McLaughlin overcame most of the obstacles. Unfortunately a hard crash with Dave Blaney was too large to overcome and ended the day for McLaughlin.

McLaughlin entered the Moore's Snacks 250 weekend as the NASCAR Busch Series points leader. After two practice sessions that saw McLaughlin on the bottom of the speed charts, he knew it was going to be tough to hold on to the points lead. In qualifying, McLaughlin speed wasn't among the top-36 and he was forced to take a provisional starting spot. After trying many different chassis combinations, the team found something that worked. During the final practice session, McLaughlin was the 12th fastest car. The Goulds Pumps car was now working properly and the entire team left the track with a feeling of accomplishment.

Race day arrived and the speedway began to fill with excited racing fans. McLaughlin climbed into his #34 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, the short track war was now on. McLaughlin worked his way through the field over the first 100 of 250 laps. McLaughlin climbed as high as 15th as he battled with the other 42 cars on the half-mile speedway. McLaughlin radioed to his crew that the car was working well and he was headed to the front. Shortly after his display of excitement, trouble attacked him. As a car became sideways, the cars behind him began to slow down, causing a chain reaction accident that led to McLaughlin damaging the front of his car. At first the team thought the day was over, but a few quick repairs helped McLaughlin return to the race, 5 laps down to the leader.

The final obstacle to McLaughlin's day occurred on lap 213 when Dave Blaney spun in turn 3, right in front of McLaughlin. McLaughlin collided hard with Blaney, ending his day in 27th place.

"We had a real adventurous weekend to say the least," McLaughlin said. "When trouble begins here on this track, it happens in a hurry and usually collects a couple of innocent victims. Unfortunately for the Goulds Pumps Team we were innocent victims in two wrecks. Oh well, we will put this in the past and head to Talladega in two weeks."

Jason Keller won his second career NASCAR Busch Series race by passing Dale Earnhardt Jr. late in the race. Elton Sawyer now leads Earnhardt Jr., Keller and McLaughlin in the point standings. McLaughlin stands 78 points behind Sawyer. The Busch Series returns to action on April 24th in Talladega, Alabama.

PIT NOTES

Leroy Treadwell, the Goulds Pumps Racing Team transport driver had an extra helper this weekend for his 3 hour drive to Bristol. Mike McLaughlin's step son, Manning Gregory rode along with Treadwell catching a glimpse of life on the road in a 18-wheeler.

McLaughlin gave his time to a worthy cause on Friday night by signing autographs at a fundraising event for the Tennessee Organ and Tissue Donors Association.

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