NASCAR WCUP: Kenny Wallace Endures Engine Woes at Talladega
18 April 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
TALLADEGA, Ala., - Somebody pull the voodoo pins out of the Kenny Wallace doll.
Once again, Wallace fell victim to engine failure, this time in Sunday's DieHard 500 NASCAR Winston Cup Series event at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
"This is the third engine this season to go down on us while we were running in the top-20," said Wallace. "We had a great race car, but no matter how good it was, you can't outrun bad luck. In Winston Cup racing, every team goes through some rough stretches. We have to stay positive. Good teams keep fighting through bad times to earn success, and I believe we're a good team."
Adding to this year's frustrations was the fact that the Square D/Cooper Lighting Chevy was running seventh just before it fell out of the race on lap 130.
"Our motor guys build tremendous horsepower, so I know they'll fix the problem," continued Wallace. "Andy Petree Racing is the best team I've ever been with, and I know that today hurts them as much as it hurts me. Our only choice is to keep digging and bounce back."
As for the new restrictor plate and shock rule changes implemented for the spring Talladega race, Wallace supports NASCAR's decisions.
"It was a great IROC (style) race we had out there," said Wallace. "NASCAR has done a tremendous job of making every team equal. We couldn't get away from each other, and everyone was door-to-door, bumper-to-bumper. I think drivers have learned how to race with the new modifications. With the new rules in place, NASCAR has done a great job of giving everyone a shot to win."
Wallace finished 40th on the day and picked up 43 Winston Cup points. The Square D/Cooper Lighting pilot now stands 33rd in the point standings with 606 total points.
Jeff Gordon took Sunday's checkered flag to become the ninth different winner in nine Winston Cup races this season. Mike Skinner finished second, followed by Dale Earnhardt, Kenny Irwin and Jimmy Spencer.
Mark Martin leads the Winston Cup point standings with 1,370 points. Bobby Labonte (1,346 points), Ward Burton (1,293 points), Earnhardt (1,272 points) and Jeff Burton (1,236 points) round out the top-five.
Wallace will return to action Sun., April 30, in the NAPA Auto Parts 500 at California Speedway. Live coverage begins at 2 p.m. EDT on ABC.
Text provided by Chris Hunt
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