---

NASCAR WCUP: Michigan suits Jarrett's driving style

16 August 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Dale Jarrett

DALE JARRETT - 88 - Quality Care Service/Ford Credit Racing has become proficient on a variety of tracks over the years. When asked in the past what led to his success at Michigan International Speedway, Jarrett replied that the two-mile D-shaped oval just seemed to suit his driving style. He has said the same thing about the famed tracks at Daytona and Indianapolis. Then how do you explain his top-five and top-ten finishes on road courses, Martinsville, his wins at Bristol and Richmond?

WITH YOUR RECENT SUCCESS ON A VARIETY OF TRACKS HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR DRIVING STYLE? "I think it's a combination of me changing a little bit the way I drive and better equipment. We get better brakes on the car and transmission ratios that we can change. And now I know enough about it (the road courses and the shorter tracks) to tell the team that's too much gear here and what needs to be done. And we have all of the options to change that and we have the personnel right here at the race track to make those changes.

"When I first started on the road courses and even at some of the new (to me) short tracks where we ran I enjoyed the challenges, but sometimes it was tough to finish. But I think it's a whole combination. It's better equipment and experience on my part and the team's.

"Michigan is still on my list of favorite tracks. I like Michigan and Charlotte and Indianapolis. But right now Daytona is at the top of that list because it's the last place I won. However, I'm really looking forward to coming back to Michigan this weekend."

In the past eight races at Michigan Dale has finished out of the top five only once, and then it was only one spot. He was sixth in the spring race in 1997. Since 1996 he has won both a spring and fall event at MIS. He was fourth here in June and in last year's second race in the Irish Hills. Jarrett has led a total of 258 laps in his 27 visits to Michigan.

Text provided by Alexx Stolnicki

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.