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NASCAR: 10 Reasons Why Sears Point Is Different From Normal Winston Cup Weekend

23 June 1999

Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s #1 Pennzoil Monte Carlo team has endured a hectic week
staying up late each night preparing a special car for Sunday's race at
Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma California. The NASCAR Winston Cup Series runs
only two of its 34 races on road courses. The road course, combined with the
distance to the San Francisco area track makes this race unique in many
respects. Here are ten reasons why the Sears Point weekend is different for
normal Winston Cup weekends.

10. Drivers Ed Classes	
		Team sent driver Steve Park to a one-day road racing school
in May to familiarize himself with Sears Point - the only track where he has
yet to race.

9. Must Build A New Car	
		Team stayed up late each night this week building a special
Pennzoil Monte Carlo designed just for the right and left turns and changing
elevations of Sears Point.

8. Hire Temporary Help	
		Hire a second truck driver to help the regular driver on the
50-hour trip to the track from Mooresville, N.C.

7. Pit Now Race Strategy	
		Since tire wear isn't a problem, some teams will pit as soon
as they can take on enough fuel to finish the race even if it is under
green. The lap times are so long, that you won't lose a lap by pitting under
green. If a yellow falls late in the race and the leaders pit you move into
the lead.

6. No Shade	
		Since there are no garages, crews work all weekend outside
in the sun.

5. More Voices On Team Radio
		Team will use three spotters instead of one to help driver
and pits will have a larger antennae to help reception and transmission to
driver during race.

4. Frequent Flyer Miles	
		Crews only fly commercial airlines to Sears Point and
California Speedway.

3. Gas Holes	
		Cut gas holes on both sides of the car in case teams have to
pit on "Gilligan's Island." That island, in the final turn, is where last
few qualifiers in the starting grid are forced to pit. The pit wall in on
the left side of the car making the pitstops backwards.

2. Wine Country	
Teams stay in Sonoma wine country where vineyards are sometimes frequented.

1. Rain	
		Each car will be prepared to run in the rain with Goodyear's
rain tires. All cars will be equipped with brake lights, window defroster,
and windshield wipers. 

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