1998 NASCAR Busch Series *In Progress*

Race #12: Carquest Auto Parts 300 @ Lowe's Motor Speedway; Charlotte, North Carolina; May 23rd, 1998.

SPENCER WINS, BODINE EXTENDS POINT LEAD

CHARLOTTE, NC(AP)-It was back to the office as the Busch Grand National Series took center-stage Saturday night as Mike McLaughlin started on point. The race progressed rather cleanly, only having one caution. On lap 61, Lance Hooper's #23 WCW Pontiac merged too soon in front of Robert Pressley's #59 Kingsford Chevrolet, sending both cars into the turn 3 wall. Many other drivers were involved, including Winston Cup drivers Dale Jarrett and then-race leader Joe Nemechek. Nemechek had clipped the left rear of Dick Trickle's car, causing severe suspension damage to the left front of Nemechek's Monte Carlo that would prove to be terminal, Nemechek finished 34th, leading a race-high 50 laps. Lance Hooper's car took a nasty hit from Buckshot Jones's #00 Pontiac, sending both cars airborne. Both drivers were awake and alert but were transported to a local medical facility for further examination. But other than that one caution the race was relatively clean, leaving Spencer to run away with the win.

Jimmy Spencer on the Lap 61 incident: "It was something that made your head turn, going 60 someodd laps without a caution and this happens right in front of you. I saw a cloud of smoke going down the back and heard my spotter saying there was a wreck ahead. Wasn't until I got halfway through the turn 3 billboards that I saw one car upside-down and a gaggle of cars on the banking. I think Joe saw Dick's car sliding down the track and tried coming back up and barely hit him. Then I just scooted on by underneath almost hitting the 38 car."

This is Spencer's 2nd win of the 1998 Busch season, and the 5th win for the Buschwhackers; a commonly-referred to title to Winston Cup drivers racing in the Busch Grand National Series. Mainly names like Joe Nemechek, Jimmy Spencer, Mark Martin, and Jeff Burton.

On the Busch regular side, Todd Bodine entered tonight's race with a 37-point lead over Kevin Lepage, and a 51-point lead over Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Lepage finished second to Jimmy Spencer, reducing his lead by 2 points, Bodine finished 4th, and Earnhardt, Jr. finished 5th.

Todd Bodine on tonight's event: "Consistency has been our best policy this season, we managed to keep our nose clean which was really all we wanted tonight. This is the same car we had in Texas starting mid-pack and finishing strong, we're planning on running this car at least 4 more times this season."

Now to see where tonight's drivers start in tomorrow's Coca-Cola 600.
Jimmy Spencer starts 28th.
Kevin Lepage qualified 36th, but Morgan Shepherd will be driving the Joe Falk #91.
Jeff Burton starts 34th, Burton is eligible for the No Bull 5 Bonus after finishing 5th in Las Vegas.
Todd Bodine starts 24th.
Michael Waltrip starts 15th.
Mark Martin starts 5th.
Robert Pressley starts 18th.
Sterling Marlin starts 16th.
Ken Schrader starts 7th.
Randy Lajoie DNQ'ed the #50 Budweiser Chevrolet, taking over from Ricky Craven this week.
Elliott Sadler DNQ'ed the #92 Chevrolet.
David Green DNQ'ed the #96 Caterpillar Chevrolet.
Joe Nemechek starts 26th.
Dale Jarrett starts 11th.
Dick Trickle starts 41st.

Link to race images: s1052.photobucket.com/user/thunder98210/library/NR2003%20Screenshots/1998%20Offline%20Seasons/1998%20BGN%20Season

Points Standings after 12 races, rookies highlighted in yellow.

Bodine is running away with it so far. Really impressive showing.

Race #14: Hardee's 250 @ Richmond International Raceway; Richmond, Virginia; June 6th, 1998.

Pre-Race Report

RAINS PUSH BUSCH RACE TO SATURDAY MORNING

Richmond, VA(AP)- After a heavy set of storms buffeted the track on Friday evening, the NASCAR Busch Series Hardee's 250 was rescheduled to run on Saturday Morning June 6th. The weather is expected to be hot and humid, 82 degrees and winds blowing 6-10 mph. The Busch Series drivers were able to get qualifying in on Friday morning where IRL Champion Tony Stewart got his 2nd pole of the season at 21.606 seconds (124.965 mph), Stewart's first pole came back at Nazareth in May, finishing 41st. Following the Pronto Auto Parts 400K at Texas the night prior, Ron Barfield, Jr was able to make it to the track and start in the #2 New Holland Chevrolet for Ricky Craven's team in the 9th position. Craven himself was scheduled to drive the car if Barfield couldn't make it to Richmond.

Notable BGN Regular starters
2. #3-Dale Earnhardt, Jr
4. #30-Todd Bodine
7. #34-Mike McLaughlin
8. #17-Matt Kenseth
14. #93-Dave Blaney

Buschwhacker starters
3. #87-Joe Nemechek
5. #9-Jeff Burton
6. #12-Jimmy Spencer
13. #1-Sterling Marlin
16. #21-Michael Waltrip
23. #32-Dale Jarrett
34. #60-Mark Martin
35. #15-Ken Schrader

Race #15: Lycos.com 250 @ Pikes Peak International Raceway; Fountain, Colorado; June 14th, 1998.

KENSETH WINS FROM POLE, BODINE SLIPS
FOUNTAIN, CO(AP)- With Lycos sponsoring the race and on the car, Matt Kenseth became the first driver to win from the pole position in this 1998 season. But not without a fight from Todd Bodine, who once again had the car to beat. Bodine recorded his worst finish of 1998 so far with 22nd, and fell as low as 31st following a very slow pit stop with roughly 54 to go. Although Bodine had a rough day at the track, he still left with a 48 point lead over third-generation driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. who finished 2nd for the 5th time this season, and race winner Matt Kenseth is 93 points back.

Contingency Awards

Bud Pole Award: Matt Kenseth (26.291 seconds/136.926 mph)
Safety Kleen Front Runner (Most Laps Led): Todd Bodine (91 of 175 laps)
Gatorade Hard Charger (Most Positions Gained): Ed Berrier (+18, Started 30th, Finished 12th)
Jiffy Lube Hot Lap (Best Lap Time): Todd Bodine (27.846, 129.282 mph)
Raybesto’s Rookie of the Race: Wayne Grubb (10th)

Race Results.htm (15.91 KB)
Point Standings.htm (29.32 KB)