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NASCAR WCUP: Budweiser NASCAR Winston Cup Race Preview, Martinsville

27 September 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Budweiser NASCAR Winston Cup Race Preview

Quotes from Dale Earnhardt Jr.

"I've only raced there once, and I think that race is another example where we were really much better or more competitive than the finishing position shows. We had to make two long pit stops to change batteries, and we were still pretty competitive. All of the beating and banging that goes on is actually a lot of fun. You have to be careful not to get spun out though "

This Week's Race
What: NAPA Autocare 500, Winston Cup Race 28 of 34
Where: Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA
When: Sunday, October 1, 2000
Watch: ESPN, 1 p.m. Eastern

BUD Pole qualifying will be seen on ESPN2 Friday afternoon at 3:00 pm Eastern. ESPN2 will also air the final hour of practice from Martinsville on a tape-delayed basis Saturday afternoon at 4:30 pm.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Martinsville

Previous Winston Cup starts: 1
Start: 22nd
Finish: 26th

Career Stats

In the modern era of Winston Cup racing, Dale Jr. is already tied for 34th in career wins, while his two Bud Pole positions this season rank him 49th on the all-time Cup list. Not bad for a driver who has not yet completed his first full season.

What To Watch

Patience?! You want patience?! Try 500 laps at this lil' place. Slamming on the brakes and turning hard left 1000 times? On a hot Sunday afternoon with 42 other guys trying to bash you outta their way? Patience?! No way.

The Martinsville oval is a the smallest circuit on the Winston Cup tour. The relatively flat -mile track is about as close as you can get to seeing Winston Cup cars on a track that resembles most local tracks around the country. Although the Bristol oval is also -mile in length, the lack of significant banking at Martinsville makes it the slowest on the tour, and most passing is achieved through devices such as a polite slam with the front bumper. Most of the 43 cars will start the race in their usual gleaming, spotless manner, but we can assure you that few if any of the cars will look like that when the race is complete.

Text provided by Budweiser

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos and racing art, please visit The Racing Image Galleries and The Visions of Speed Art Gallery

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