| | By Ron Buck
ESPN.com
| FAST FACTS |
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Event |
Pepsi 400 |
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When |
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN) |
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Where |
Michigan Speedway (d-shaped oval, 2 miles, 18 degrees banking in turns).
Brooklyn, Mich.
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Distance |
400 miles (200 laps) |
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Defending champion |
Bobby Labonte |
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1999 Pole Sitter |
Ward Burton, 188.843 mph
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Qualifying |
Friday, first round, 3:30 p.m. ET; Saturday, second-round, 10:45 a.m. ET |
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Track Records |
Qualifying record: Bobby Labonte, 189.883 mph (June, 2000)
Race record: Bobby Labonte, 157.739 mph (1995)
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Thursday, Aug. 17
When you look back to this race a year ago, you'll
remember Bobby Labonte had to battle both Jeff Gordon
and Dale Earnhardt to the finish before winning. And, in
my opinion, the Pepsi 400 was the race when Earnhardt gave us a hint as to what his fans could expect in 2000.
Earnhardt ran out front at Michigan Speedway. He had a
chance to win at a non restrictor-plate track before
fading to fifth. And he gave us a glimpse of what the
future would hold for that team because they've
certainly risen to the top this season.
Maybe we can expect to see that again from the Man in Black. Earnhardt really needs a
good run. This is a big weekend for the No. 3 team. They lost a bunch of points last
week when Earnhardt spun on Lap 2 at Watkins Glen. The 3 can't afford to lose any
more points to the 88 or 18.
This is a race where Earnhardt needs to step it up and regain some of that lost
momentum over the past few weeks.
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On the Track
Every driver have his favorite tracks. And Michigan Speedway is pretty high on Bobby Labonte's list. Whether the race is called the Pepsi 400 or Kmart 400, the 2-mile oval in the Irish Hills of Michigan has become a haven for the No. 18 Interstate Batteries bunch.
From the moment he joined forces with Joe Gibbs back in 1995, the track has yielded positive results. Now, as Labonte continues his quest for a first Winston Cup championship, the Pepsi 400 offers yet another chance to extended his 101-point lead over Dale Jarrett.
But wait a minute. Wasn't Michigan the site of D.J.'s most impressive run during his title season of '99? Yep, it sure was. Which should set up a very interesting 400 miles on Sunday.
The top two have separated themselves from the pack, and don't be surprised to see them running in close proximity of each other this week. Labonte has finished in the top five in the past two spring events at Michigan, while Jarrett has run in the top five in the past four races. Together, the 18 and 99 have combined to win three of the past five Pepsi 400s.
Throw in a victory each in the Kmart 400 at Michigan and you see why Sunday could be a microcosm of the points race.
So, why are these two drivers so good at Michigan. Simple, really. Each has the three keys necessary to win on the speedway -- aerodynamics, horsepower and fuel mileage. But, that also means their teammates have what it takes to be successful as well.
We're speaking of Tony Stewart and Ricky Rudd, of course. Stewart won the rain-shortened Kmart 400 in June, while Rudd started second behind the pole-sitter Labonte and ran 12th.
Because Michigan tends to produce plenty of green-flag racing, fuel strategy often comes into play. And that's where Labonte has the slight edge over his teammate. Labonte was actually the last driver to win from the pole at Michigan, in the second race of 1995.
10 Drivers to Watch
Bobby Labonte: Comes into the race with his largest cushion in points of the season -- 101 over Jarrett. The defending champion of the Pepsi 400 outlasted a late duel with Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon and Stewart to win last year's event.
Dale Jarrett: Won the 1996 Pepsi 400 -- the first of four straight top-five finishes this race. Was fourth last year and again this year in the Kmart 400. Continues to run a strong season in defense of his championship last year with a top-seven finish in the last 11 points races.
Tony Stewart: Won the shortened Kmart 400 when heavy rain forced NASCAR to stop the race six laps short of the 200 scheduled laps. He leads the circuit with three wins and is second in laps led with 523. Definitely keep an eye on the 20 when the 24 is in the vicinity.
Dale Earnhardt: Can't afford to lose anymore ground to Labonte. Owner of two victories at Michigan Speedway and in June's Kmart 400 he finished second to Tony Stewart for his best showing at the track. Running third in the standings, but a he's 217 points behind the leader Labonte.
Jeff Gordon: Don't expect any extra contact with the 20 this week ... not at 180 mph. Next week at Bristol is another story, however. One of his 51 career victories was at the 2-mile Michigan Speedway in the 1998 race. Finished 14th in the Kmart 400
Mark Martin: After consecutive 43rd place finishes, he rebounded with a strong second place run at Watkins Glen last Sunday. In 29 starts at Michigan Speedway, he has earned four wins, three of which were recorded in the August race.
Rusty Wallace: Four of his 51 career victories have come at Michigan Speedway -- the last in 1996. Finished seventh in the Kmart 400. Has led a series-high 1042 laps, nearly double of Tony Stewart (523).
Steve Park: Joined Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth in posting their first career wins this season by taking the checkered flag at Watkins Glen. Jumped from 17th to 13th in the Winston Cup standings.Started 14th and finished 29th in the Kmart 400 in June.
Jeff Burton: Comes off a career-best road course finish (third) at Watkins Glen. The two-time winner this season was 11th in the Kmart 400. Was a disappointing 37th in this race last year.
Ricky Rudd: Remains the only top-10 driver without a trip to Victory Lane this season. Has the horsepower and experience to win at Michigan. Still looking for the luck. Maybe he'll find some in the Irish Hills.
Ron Buck is ESPN.com's auto racing editor. | |
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