NASCAR WCUP: Brett Bodine sets track record; Labonte's streak comes to end
5 August 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
INDIANAPOLIS- It was a case of the right lap on the wrong day Friday for Brett Bodine, who set a track record of 49.704 seconds, 181.072 mph during second-day qualifying for the Brickyard 400.
Bodine will start 26th in the Ralphs Supermarkets Ford after the record lap, as the first 25 spots were locked in during pole qualifying Thursday. Ricky Rudd won the pole with a record lap of 49.705 seconds, 181.068. Bodine s lap during first-round qualifying was 175.922.
It was the first time in Brickyard 400 history that the fastest second-day qualifier was fastest overall. "During my run (Friday), the car handled the best it had all weekend," Bodine said. "I knew it was going to be tough, so I had to take some chances.
"It surprised me that we set a new track record. Im not surprised I made the race. I learn more with each turn. I kept getting more and more confidence in the car. And thats what it takes to run those things at that speed."
The Brickyard 400 will start at 12:15 p.m. (EST) Saturday, and it will be the first Winston Cup lineup since 1979 without two-time series champion Terry Labonte. Todd Bodine will drive the Kelloggs Chevrolet, as Labontes record streak of 655 consecutive Winston Cup starts will end due to persistent dizziness during this event.
"At Daytona (in July), I had a concussion," Labonte said of his crash during the Pepsi 400. "I had symptoms for a little bit and got better. I ran one lap here yesterday, and I was dizzy. We talked with Dr. (Jerry) Petty, and he said I could run one lap in the race on Saturday if I wanted and then come in.
"I decided Im going to sit out tomorrow and Watkins Glen (Aug. 13), then pick up where we left off. Its disappointing, but this is just a sport, just a game. It wouldnt be fair to the Kelloggs team for me to start the race and come in under green, and I felt I couldnt wait for a caution." "When you run 200 mph at this place, youve got to be right."
Jeremy Mayfield, a two-time winner this season, also wont start the race. Mayfield suffered a closed-head injury in a morning practice crash in his Mobil 1 Ford. He was released from Methodist Hospital Friday afternoon, but Kyle Petty will substitute for Mayfield in the race. Petty didnt qualify for the race in his Hot Wheels Pontiac.
ABC Sports and the Indy Racing Radio Network will broadcast the Brickyard 400 live.
Text provided by Paul Kelly
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