Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 18, 2002 Another great Daytona 500 has come gone and there was a huge media viewing of this event thanks to the large exposure that Nascar gained from last year's tragedy. Before the race began the three odds on faves were Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. It did not take long for the first shocker of the day when Tony Stewart dropped out and was eliminated from the race in the second lap. Just a scant few minutes later, Dale Earnhardt thanks to Debris from his team mate's car cut his tire and that was just the start of a LONG day for Earnhardt. The race was dominated by Sterling Marlin and it seemed like a blowout win for him up until Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick had a little rubbing and Gordon sent Harvick crashing into the wall triggering a 18 car pile up including the yellow #1 car of Kenny Wallace bursting into flames. Dale Earnhardt Jr, just a few moments before the crash pulled off one of the most dramatic moves of the day, looking to pit but after learning he had no brakes to slow his car and avoid the speedin penalty, he swerved onto the grass and recieved a huge roar. The field was shorted after alot of contending cars ended their day on that wreck. The race resumed with about 10 laps to go but yet another wreck occured (That included more Contenders like Waltrip,Wallace and Leader Jeff Gordon) and that forced Sterling Marlin and Ward Burton to fight to the yellow flag expecting for the yellow flag to stay for the remainder of the race. It didn't as the Officals decided to red flag the race and then came what will define this year's Daytona 500 in History. Sterling Marlin, in front of all other stopped cars in the midde of the back strech, got out of the car and preceeded to fix his car and that brought the biggest shock of the day as Nascar officals approched Marlin and interogated him as he quickly ran to the car shrugging to car. The funny thing about this? It's not like it was a Young rookie who did this bone headed move but a Vetern driver in his 44th race at Daytona. That caused him to be violated with a stop and pass, meaning he was forced to fall to the end of the line. That brought a surprising roar from the crowd. The green flag dropped again wih Three Laps to go and one of the most shocking and bizzare front five leaders in Nascar history, Ward Burton (Quiet yet Popular Driver in the Garage), Elliot Sadler (Young underachiever driver), Geoff Bodine (Washed up great in a one race ride), Kurt Busch (A young unknown driver) and Mikey Waltrip (Popular defending Daytona Champion) followed by a respectable pack of drivers that included Dale Jarrett, Jeff Gordon, Johnny Bensonand Mark Martin. It was a shootout but the young Sadler, was unable to pass the Vetern driver and Ward Burton won in the biggest surprises in history of the Great American Race. This was easily the bumpiest Daytona 500 ever with so many little stories going on at once, the amazing day of Dale Earnhardt involved in THREE different incidents (Cut Tire, Missed Pit and the Pile up), Tony Stewart shocking early departure, Marlin's dominance. The BIG one. The wreck of Waltrip and Wallace at the Start/Finish line and Waltrip nearly crashing into Jay Leno in the Pace Car. Burton/Marlin race to the yellow flag, Marlin's foolish move, Ward's upset special. I certaintly enjoyed today's race and really shook things up at least for the start of the season as two Champion faves are back in the end (Stewart in 43rd and Junior in 30th) and unexpected drivers like Bodine and Busch up in the front. A very dramatic day and nile biter for me as I drew Jarrett, Ward Burton and Casey Atwood in the sweeptakes. Any one else have any thoughts they like to share. This is the Unoffical results for those wanting to know full results. 1. #22 Ward Burton 2 #21 Elliott Sadler 3 #09 Geoffrey Bodine 4 #97 Kurt Busch 5 #15 Michael Waltrip 6 #6 Mark Martin 7 #12 Ryan Newman 8 #40 Sterling Marlin 9 #24 Jeff Gordon 10 #10 Johnny Benson 11 #9 Bill Elliott 12 #99 Jeff Burton 13 #31 Robby Gordon 14 #88 Dale Jarrett 15 #48 Jimmie Johnson 16 #11 Brett Bodine 17 #32 Ricky Craven 18 #2 Rusty Wallace 19 #30 Jeff Green 20 #5 Terry Labonte 21 #33 Mike Wallace 22 #92 Robert Pressley 23 #4 Mike Skinner 24 #49 Shawna Robinson 25 #77 Dave Blaney 26 #36 Ken Schrader 27 #14 Stacy Compton 28 #25 Jerry Nadeau 29 #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 30 #1 Kenny Wallace 31 #66 Todd Bodine 32 #55 Bobby Hamilton 33 #17 Matt Kenseth 34 #18 Bobby Labonte 35 #7 Casey Atwood 36 #29 Kevin Harvick 37 #43 John Andretti 38 #28 Ricky Rudd 39 #19 Jeremy Mayfield 40 #26 Joe Nemechek 41 #45 Kyle Petty 42 #71 Dave Marcis 43 #20 Tony Stewart Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jonstreich Report post Posted February 18, 2002 Two word can explain all of the wrecks: Restrictor Plates. I'm really not a big fan of them, and if NASCAR could pull it's head out of it's arse, they'd get rid of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted February 18, 2002 For some reason NASCAR wants to even the playing field. Give me talented drivers like Gordon, Jarrett, Stewart, Harvick. Tell me that Ward Burton does not sound like a guy who would be in a movie about the civil war. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 18, 2002 I don't think they planed on the 18 car pile up so that a unknown (Nation wise) driver with no charisma to win the race. It's great that Ward Burton won the race, I've heard nothing but good things for this guy and he is one of the nicest and humble drivers around the circuit, unlike Jeff Burton. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest hardyz1 Report post Posted February 18, 2002 Man, that was crazy. Restrictor plates blow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 18, 2002 Without the Plates, The race would be even more Dangerous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Army Eye Report post Posted February 18, 2002 I found it interesting that although Marlin basically came out of this looking like a fool by yanking on his fender, it may very well have been his best move. If he left it alone, tried to stay out there in the lead, the fender probably could've shredded his tire and caused Marlin to either wreck or at least have to limp back to the pits. As it went, he was able to get fresh tires when the race went back to yellow, since it didn't hurt his (penalized) position, and he ended up finishing 8th. It all depends on how bad that fender was rubbing the tire of course. We'll never know for sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest angrytom Report post Posted February 19, 2002 NASCAR should get rid of the restrictor plates and find another way to limit the speed of these cars. The drivers are NOT going to give up ground under these condintions and your going to have these huge wrecks. How is it even when half the field is in the garage? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 19, 2002 As a former Driver, I often ask that question, Do we need them? Half the time It's a simple no! but then I remember how much more dangerous it would be at 225. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
