2000 DieHard 500 (RAW SATELLITE FEED)

to bring you the constant variety of sport [Applause] this is ABC's Wide World [Music] one week ago Mark Martin outlasted the Martinsville mayhem to become the record a different winner to begin the 2000 season from the flat half mile where you drive with a finesse of a bulldozer [Music] pilot Talladega man it's just restrictor plate racing you know it's a tough race all day long it was a man I think you gotta be crazy to want to run this race you don't have a lot of control with your destiny when you run these racetrack [Music] [Music] live from Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama ABC Sports welcomes you to the ninth race of the 2000s car Winston tough season the die-hard 500 hi everyone I'm Bob Jenkins welcome to Talladega well you've heard comments from some of the drivers many wish they could just pass this race up not even compete here the speeds are so fast and they're racing so close they all realize that someone can make a slight mistake resulting in what we call the big one a multi-car accident nevertheless Jerry punch 43 men are set for the challenge Bob twice a year the world's best stock car drivers descend on Talladega for the ultimate test of equipment and concentration they know at 40 drivers rocket past ditches apart at speeds 190 miles per hour there is no margin for error one mistake one miscue can cost them and many others our race a season or a career at most tracks you see an opening you die for it make the pass here you stay tucked in line at most tracks it's you and your car gets bored a few others but here drafting or pushing a hole in the wind requires two or more cars in line together the Stettin concept and at most tracks your skill and daring is all you need to control your destiny here it's teammates friends and drafting partners we have more control over you any than you to do someone once said in the Native American translation the word Talladega means hold your breath that's probably what these hundred and seventy thousand fans at 43 Travers will be doing for most of the days 500 miles no maybe Talladega isn't that treacherous maybe it's just tempting as the Duquette of super speedway that simply bakes the best into making those difficult decisions the determine if a driver gets to the front or if he doesn't well the mental chess match begins early for several big names Bobby Labonte is a past winner at Talladega but the point leader starts 37 taking a provisional after an engine problem smothered his qualifying run his teammate Tony Stewart had the exact same problem and now faces those same decision starting 39 Jeff Burton won a million bucks at Las Vegas and would gladly pay that twin oil partner today only problem there is no loyalty here Bertie starts 38 after an oil pump failed on Friday three of 43 men about to take the challenge and face the temptation of Talladega now let's go upstairs to Betty Parsons and Ray Evernham Friday during qualifying the cars were extremely slow as a matter of fact Jeremy Mayfield's throw one in speed was a slowest since 1974 but in happy hour we saw all the cars over 190 miles per hour and a big group of cars by Ray Evernham has a crew chief you got Jenny you got Bobby Labonte and Jimmy my car's crew chief there started 37 we got Tony Stewart his crew Keith Greg Zipadelli they're starting 39 what can you do as a crew chief to get those stars from the back to the front to that big group of cars Bennett at Talladega can be a frustrating race for a crew chief there's not a lot you can do to make your car go faster once the race starts what you can do to help your driver is work with your spotters one on the front straightaway one on the back straightaway between the spotters and the crew chief you can give the driver what he needs to win the race the eyes in the back of his head over the years we've had a lot of surprise winners at Talladega but Bob sometimes this place favors the cagey veterans Benny there has never been a driver in NASCAR history better at Talladega than Dale Earnhardt he swept both events here in 1999 [Applause] [Music] but kondal I've heard are mentioning inside the horsepower of Robert Yates engines could take one of his two drivers to Victory Lane today Dale Jarrett won his third Daytona 500 in February and Ricky Rudd also won there in a twin 125 when today and become the Knights different winner in the first nine events of NASCAR's 2000 season well Bob you seriously have to consider Ricky Rudd along with his Robbery H Racing teammate Dale Jarrett as serious favourites for today's race Rudd finished third year last fall it has the same car that won one of the twin qualifying races at Daytona Jarrett has been he's no worse than second in the last three races run here he won the Daytona 500 that cars that won Daytona USA so he has a different bride today but he's still very fast Earnhardt won this race last year after starting 17th he rolls off fourth today Friday his hit team had to rebuild the rear of the car after the initial to make a cool inspection unfortunately for the competition it hasn't seen the slowdown ernhardt if you're looking for a long shot look no further than Johnny Benson he's here with the same car that led the late stages of the Daytona 500 Benson starts 13th today and he hopes 13 turns out to be his lucky number Chevrolet from Columbia Tennessee Sterling Marlin rolls on here's a look at the point standings Bobby Labonte still leads but Martin close the gap with a win last week at Martinsville defending Series champion Dale Jarrett is seventh in points and his bill Weber said three of the top ten Bobby Labonte Jeff Burton and Tony Stewart are starting 37th or worse so at tight points battle band Robin Roberts we expect some tight racing here also as we send it back to you at our Wide World of Sports studio in New York okay yeah I yeah I yeah I I'll have to cut some copy I can't I don't want to talk any faster than that yeah I'll just cut some copy out here he's been trying to do that for years man oh man okay the cart okay the cars are slower but the in happy hour the big pack was still there and then get into legitimation okay that's it you know the cars were sporting quality Explorer in qualifying but during half a hour that big pack wrecked cars they're all running the same speed so Ray Evernham as a crew chief welcome Jimmy Makar and Greg Zipadelli Bobby Labonte and Tony's George crew chief what can they do to help them to those that pack a car okay okay naming drivers I you're right you're right okay you're right forgot you it's open well yeah yeah I mean I tried to get as many you know things in yeah I'm gonna practice earlier I'm gonna pull out that in the middle section of my of my and I'm not a very good practice player where I'm talking about diving in a hole yeah I'll take that out talking about the draft Mike [Laughter] and Joanie went by to see Terry and knocked over your mailbox if she did Jerry you got a total car I'll tell you what the ones he hit I almost total the back of our van the guy put about a yard and a half of concrete under it good - it took a guy month to build that mailbox Apple go restroom yeah me too I wouldn't mind just going over mind one more to see if I can cut this piece out here with that yeah doing right now okay twice a year is a world fest on car drivers descend on Talladega for the ultimate test of equipment concentration they know when 40 cars rocket buy into the part of hundred ninety miles per hour there is no margin for error one mistake one missed you can cost them and many others erase a season or a career at most tracks we see an opening you die for it and make the path here you simply stay tucked in line at most tracks your skill and daring is all you need to control your destiny here it's teammates friends and drafting partners we have more control over you winning than you do someone once said in the Native American translation the word Talladega means hose your breath that's probably what these hundred and seventy thousand fans and 43 drivers will be doing for most of today's 500 miles that's that's taken out about three sentences there no problem it's just great being able to rehearse right up to the show instead of having it okay so that we usually what's that you know that's a pain in the rear end yeah a scar today we'll get that move to like 9:00 in the morning or something whatever defend yourself hey Neil this NASCAR mm moment is brought to you by whom Hasbro winner's circle no I'm gonna do it in the urn hoype it so make sure it's not someone that's defeating with good rates this time I don't it's brought to you by watt now okay I'll be back turn my mic off nothing to do with Hasbro huh okay yeah go ahead I'm gonna I'm gonna simply talk about what is a restrictor plate and why do we use them I mean we I figured that ABC audience you really can't see 132nd you guys can talk about how they've changed them this week but I'm going to talk about Bill Elliott that's qualifying time and speed in town it's 87 and what happened in 88 and I'm gonna show the two plates and talk about the speed if they didn't have a play versus here and why they use okay this real real simple this is a researcher plate here's why they use it you hear the term restrictor plate racing what is a restrictor plate and why do we use them hey Chevy yeah restricted plate has holes and holes drilled in it some of the more beams you pylon or they just rip through yeah exactly Jerry not you know I told you that 6263 Jerry and I talked to a Peter suspens oh and he said that maybe 58 so there's a little bit wider range there than what the guys that told me earlier yeah morning speed right Jerry right right that's fine with me Wow heavens where are you John right here I mean top fives 25 top 10 I'm coming your way yeah all right I don't I don't know where it is Steve it's a nice-looking naca duck here look how they ventilate this car yeah I don't know where it is oh there what do you say Chevy Oh 58 64 okay almost three million dollars up for grabs here today wow wow wow yeah really Wow alright procede no I do not yeah thank you Steve that's a jump a minute's pretty good fix absolutely every died [Music] yeah all right don't forget I spend next week in Las Vegas [Music] hi everyone I'm Bob Jenkins welcome to Talladega Superspeedway well you've heard some of the comments from the drivers there are many that wish they could just pass this race up not even compete here nope I'm gonna walk out here in a second when we get a little closer if I'm not back for the time we go in the air I'm just joining in progress BP is entering the booth ladies and gentlemen and Mikey he is picking up his headset as we speak and you may now speak with him did not--was for that [Music] yeah yeah when there's honor what I don't know I said Yahoo lots of questions on paranoia perfect paranoia calm about what you do and why we participate in this Mikey you ought to get on there or you're gonna have to tell me how that came about and why no no no I'll be back just remember for Oh to Mike and a baby if they didn't get him it's their fault right there you go Chevy that's a good idea Bob is gone yo yeah well it's bleeding I guess as soon as and Benny usual yeah I I barely hear you Chevy what the cars going out with your beer okie-dokie turn the air down you know make it warmer about a degree or two well then spray the bauble get : turn these lights on thank you sir it's about 69 or 70 Bob I'm looking out for you [Music] the man who runs the bank says you don't know any money yeah I know you've heard of embezzlement bill you should try it sometime by the way where's my numerical right up here you only made one didn't you bill okay I'll go that one no bill no that's fine I believe it is in my packet yes yes it is and baseball throw baseball away I also have I see a lot of scanners on these heads there he's in trouble see a lot of scanners on these heads don't anybody listening to ESPN I have a hollow down there hockey folks we have a treat for you today a treat for you today don't your head sit there sir a treat may I introduce you to do to you today all his wisdom mr. Ray Evernham ray hey folks you Bill Elliott fan raise your hand guy wearing a 94 shirt right down here in front of us [Music] not that I can see me you know well yeah there five or six I can see them you head back back stretch brain scan appears to be full [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] he's standing up here with us looking for something to do we're fixed to throw him out Steve what'd you do today Neil wants to know put up with your BSE [Laughter] [Music] figure what you wish for nighty Tim McGraw album of the year right bring you the constant variety of sport [Music] [Applause] agony of defeat this baby [Music] one week ago Mark Martin outlasted the Martinsville mayhem to become the record a different winner to begin the 2000 season from the flat half mile where you drive with a finesse of a bulldozer [Music] pilot it's just a restrictor plate racing you know it's a tough race - all day long it was a man I think you gotta be crazy to want to run this race you don't have a lot of control of your destiny when you run these racetrack [Music] live from Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama ABC Sports welcomes you to the ninth race of the 2000s car Winston Cup season the die-hard 500 hi everyone I'm Bob Jenkins well you've heard comments from some of the drivers many wish they could just pass up this race not even compete here the speeds are so fast in the competition so tight many know that if someone makes a slight mistake it could result in what we call the big one a multi-car accident nevertheless Jerry punch 43 drivers are set for the challenge twice a year the world's best stock car driver descend on Talladega for the ultimate test of equipment and concentration they know as 40 drivers rocket past inches apart at 190 miles per hour there is no margin for error one mistake one missed you can cost them and many others a race a season or even a career at most tracks if you see an opening you die for it and make the pass here you stay cuffed in line and at most tracks your skill and daring is all you need to control your destiny here it's teammates friends and drafting partners who will have more control over your winning than you do someone once said in the Native American translation the word Talladega means hold your breath that's probably what these hundred and seventy thousand fans and 43 drivers will be doing for most of today's 500 miles so treacherous maybe it's just tempting a seductive Super Speedway that simply baits the best into making those difficult decisions the determine if a driver gets to the front or if he doesn't that mental chess match begins early for some big names today Bobby Labonte is a past winner at Talladega but today the point leader starts 37th taking a provisional after motor trouble smothered his qualifying run his teammate Tony Stewart had the exact same problem and now faces those same decisions starting at 39 Jeff Burton won a million bucks at Las Vegas and which gladly pay that to a loyal partner today only problem there is no loyalty here Burton starts 38th after an oil pump failed on Friday 3 of 43 men about to take the challenge and face the temptation of Talladega now let's go upstairs to Benny Parsons and Ray Evernham in qualifying the cars were very slow but in practice they all ran about the same speed well over 190 miles per hour we'll see that big group of cars alright ray evernham has a crew chief he got some car started in the rear of the field how is the crew chief gonna get to help them get through the pack Benny Talladega is a frustrating race for a crew chief because once the race starts you can't do much to make your car go faster what you can do is work together with your spotters one on the front stretch one on the back stretch to give you a driver what he needs to win this race eyes in the back of his head Oh years we've had some surprise winners at Talladega but Bob sometimes this place just favors those cagey veterans Betty there has never been a driver in NASCAR history better at Talladega than Dale Earnhardt he swept both of us here in 1999 [Applause] [Music] July but the horsepower of Robert Gates engines could take one of his two drivers to Victory Lane today Dale Jarrett won his third Daytona 500 in February and Ricky Rudd also won there in a twin 125 good blood win today and become the ninth different winner in the first nine events of NASCAR's 2000 season Bob certainly Ricky Rudd and his teammate Dale Jarrett should be seriously considered as favorites today Rudd finished third here at Talladega last fall and has the same car here the one weather the twin qualifying races at Daytona Jarrett has finished no worse than second in three at the last three races here he won the Daytona 500 that cars now in Daytona USA so he has a different ride today but it's still very fast Earnhardt won this race last year after starting 17th he rolls off fourth today Friday his team had to rebuild the rear of the car after it initially failed to make it through NASCAR inspection unfortunately for the competition it hasn't seemed to slow down Earnhardt if you're looking for a long shot look no further than Johnny Benson he's here with the same car that led the late stages at the Daytona 500 Benson starts 13th today he hopes 13 turns out to be his lucky number it's just about time to get the command that will get this race underway gentlemen for the most famous words in auto racing to start the die-hard 500 from Sears Brian Kelly NASCAR fans 300 thousand there's employees and our customers the world customers [Music] [Applause] some of these drivers although now that they're strapped in the cars and ready to go their minds changed to the journey ahead of the year is set to begin the points but Mark Martin has closed the gap with a win last week at Martinsville the defending Series champion Dale Jarrett is seventh in points and his bill Weber told you three of the top ten Bobby Labonte Jeff Burton and Tony Stewart are starting spots 37th or worse so we have a tight points battle and Robin Roberts we expect some tight racing here as we send it back to you in our wide world sports studio in New York they go around three times okay how many you want me to read because we haven't talked about the new rules so we need to mention that okay I'll read what about three rows down through Earnhardt jr. or Mar okay okay [Music] he ain't gonna make that mistake [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] thank you [Music] [Music] moments away from the start of the diehard 506 expansive racetrack it is the longest the NASCAR competes on two point six six miles in length it is a tri-oval now the banking is 33 degrees not as steep as Bristol however it's still more than three stories from the apron up to the top of the banking in the corners the tri-oval is banked at 18 degrees now here is the walmart tire and lube Express bridge Jeremy Mayfield is on the pole his second pole here at Talladega and Bill Elliott is in his 600th NASCAR Winston Cup start Dale Jarrett the winner of the Daytona 500 starts third alongside with nine wins here at this facility Dale Earnhardt back in row number three with two diehard Patrice's Mark Martin and rookie Dale Earnhardt jr. who won earlier this year in his 12th start at Texas in the fourth row at Sterling Marlin with five wins on the restrictor plate tracks and Mike Skinner looking for his first top ten of the year 2000 but the last restrictor plate track of course was Daytona and many have criticized that for being a dull race but we have changed the rules and as you indicated earlier Benny every indication is that this is going to be a much more competitive race well they let the teams control their own destiny with the front shops and springs and Ray that seems like it's Buffett's cars to a bigger group than we saw in Daytona well sir something certainly has bene they've given them back half the equation if giving back the front shocks but not the rears and we're always talking about balance it's going to be interesting to see who can hit the balance with only half of the tools Joe Nemechek starting there on the outside of row number 12 won the Busch race here yesterday and again if that was any indication of how exciting the race is going to be today we're in for one royal of an afternoon man was fantastic yesterday afternoon and I talked about track position in NASCAR today but once again yes Joe 17 Matt Kenseth had to start at the rear the field workers where the front whence the back came back if yesterday was any indication this is the biggest track that we race on in NASCAR but those guys used every inch of it and cars were able to stay in the middle of the pack and that's something we haven't seen before and completing the starting line up Darrell Waltrip will start in the 43rd position now the drivers who were unable to qualify for this event Brett Bodine Kevin LePage Gary Pratt Barry Rick fast and Elliott Sadler well the green flag is just moments away we'll be back for the start of the die-hard 500 from Talladega in a moment okay yep I got one to go [Music] the field behind the pace car hits down into turn number one when they come around next time they'll get the green flag we have 180 laps of competition set for you this afternoon were the first near three million dollars the pit window for fuel between laps 58 and 64 and Mark Martin set the track record here in 1997 that was a caution three race 188 point three five four will be riding along with nine drivers in this event this is Ken Schrader's M&MS connect Conseco onboard camera starting back in 40th Bobby Labonte starts 37th East Circuit City onboard camera Rusty Wallace the Miller Lite on board starts at 18 Johnny Benson as the learn Frank calm Camry starts in 13th position Michael Waltrip the nation's rent onboard camera starts a lever Ward Burton Husqvarna onboard camera board will be starting in the ninth position and they'll learn our junior the but camera starts in the sixth position on the field on our ginger and the Baba leaned on board and the fourth quality care for the Dale Jarrett starts third he cares also cares one of our cameras we were plagued by bad weather on Friday here at Talladega yesterday had started to clear off Ray Evernham today bright sunshine much warmer than it has been and will affect the amount of tape that's on the front of these cars Bob the engine temperature yesterday in happy hour was probably a little a little bit cooler definitely a little bit cooler than it is today but what they've had to do is remove some tape from the front those cars and that will affect the way they handle this event was Jeremy Mayfield he's won three polls in his career two of them have been here they're the drivers that have qualified for the bud shootout at Daytona International Speedway in February of 2001 two drivers have already won two polls this year well down to it as the fear of lives slowly behind the pace car down off of the corner number four and into the tri-oval area that base mark will be making that hard left momentarily Jeremy Mayfield will take them to the green flag until you get to the start/finish line you can't pass [Music] [Applause] again the start/finish line is down here at Talladega its way down through the tri-oval we invite you to sit back and enjoy the 2000 die hard 5 [Music] Earnhardt jr. [Music] near honors leading the point standings going in there's this perche Tony Eury and the caution is out already but these cars are racing back to the line and you're right bring the right front tires gone flat sparks coming out from the right phone area of the race car the field will come down to take the caution flag okay there was some speculation he may have run into someone but our mark 7 would not hit anyone it's a flat right front where the caution is out he's going to try and get back to pit road this will really string up the field he has the number one pick stole off his road that's all the way in entirely for pit road to get to install that could incur further damage we'll see not even the pit road yet when you saw those sparks underneath there that things grinding on the sway bar arm and that's not good it's rubbed on the right track and right that's for Rudy's hammer it really is they're probably gonna have to replace some pieces in the front back claw what a shame they could just put two right-side tires on and get back out but I believe there's damage that you see the start and right away the right front tire starts and you see the tire isn't rolling right look at the tire there it's like the brakes locked up for certain got up inside what's this he's right behind his father [Music] [Music] on the breaks down hard after you hit the factory fire because as the car we see them working on the car he is going to be able to stay on the lead lap the pace car has the field out of turn number four but well we think maybe a looks like now they may be pushing the car behind the wall well we'll check on it and report to you in any case that caution is out after just one lap and we'll be back after these messages and a word from our ABC stations [Music] [Music] or broke off and that's what's so you think mighty broken caliper or something [Music] hi Ned well you got a high purcha absolutely it was 15 17 8 1960 [Music] yeah man these things to be a one single file would be by the way [Music] here we go [Music] the green flag has just come out to research is still on pit road they haven't taken the car behind the wall but he is still on pit road as repairs are underway the poster with Dale Jarrett right behind them now going to the inside and getting some help you see the leader get a great jump in Daytona Talladega that's not a good thing because that allows it second and third place card to get a great run as Dale Jarrett did and go right by you in turn three [Applause] [Music] behind him and he's hung out hoping that somebody will go they go three wide to turn one down a cherry punch Dale Earnhardt's Caesar said the nominee for car started to take off and then suddenly slowed he hit the back of the 94th car the eighth car at the back of him and so he was concerned about grill damage on the front of his Chevrolet and of course the damage on the front of his son's Budweiser Chevrolet a chicken and his fence with nil weather today alert mark tuna is legion laughs it's a new right front bingo new brake pads new brake rotor whole right front assembly for this car basically the wheel would not turn so Earnhardt jr. sits here on jack stands on pit road after the great qualifying run but it won't be his day today the pole sitter has dropped far back here to the middle of the pack running alongside Mike Skinner that's much the number two car they come down to complete lap number five and we see that Mayfield is back to tenth position last lap at 187 point four point one miles an hour for the leader however the fastest car that lap was Ward Burton over 188 miles an hour Jaron has the lead as they shuffle for position behind him [Applause] run to in single file formation and then there's side by side back to that were on board with Johnny Benson who had such a great run at Daytona was leading with just a few laps to go before a caution last time five doesn't run into the seventh spot and all I can tell you is the last time because now he's back to ninth spot rear spoiler with Warburton running in third the side-by-side battle for fourth was between Bill Elliott up high and like Skinner down low [Music] Jimmy Spencer right behind he Wallace gained telemetry show rusty up to one are the [Music] the bank the car will start slowing down slide on the corner number four was on the high side of the racetrack and Elliot there [Music] Mark Martin will lead the low drafting line Mike Skinner started back in the eighth position has worked his way up to third well Mike that skirt has been contested right now looking back from the leader mark Barton to Warburton last lap over 190 miles per hour my side of that racetrack Ray Evernham in yesterday's Bush race we noticed that a three-way three-way side-by-side would get an advantage just less than 10 green flag laps ago those Clark or single-file nose-to-tail 42 or 43 cars and now they've reduced [Music] here's Michael walk Bob jinguk talk about arriving the inside cars on the outside just split the jenny-may feeling Scott through a car see how low the air dam was on Jeremy's car that's the fact that NASCAR is giving them back to front shocks before [Music] it's up about three inches three and a half inches on the straightaway in the corner it's down and the shocks hold it down [Music] three wives through the tri-oval elbows [Music] and read pieces of tape on the front of Karen's car ho ho that's the change that's the full tape off in case these cars do overheat during the race [Music] the middle is Scott Pruett the 32 car followed by Robby Gordon Mark Martin leaves with Mike Skinner running in second position [Music] position not too long ago now he's all the way back to the 15/16 spot what's going on Jerry Ben this was a major cause for concern in the Earnhardt campus hoarding this is the same car they ran in Daytona they came here two weeks ago and tested with this car at Talladega and it would not suck up they called it without pull-up in the ground once this car got shuffled out you need someone almost to push you back to the front Monte Carlo undertook one they won both events last year with here and it would come from 20 Carly this car would not come back to the front of us it had help from behind last fall in October that he didn't think he had a very good car when it was out there by itself can find a good partner and Taylor narc will find the good party because they all want to polish they learner because they all feel like he knows exactly where to go oppressed and folks this is honestly I'm tell the truth at a hundred and eighty nine miles per hour the first thirty seven cars are running within a second of two seconds of each other and the overhead view is from the Pennzoil copter cam they start to abreast but since the green flag is dropped they've been facing mostly three of red nine point nine miles an hour Ward Burton the fastest of the drivers Mark Martin however still has one looking back from his car to Mike Skinner who's running in second that's Ward Burton on diehard 500 in a moment from Talladega [Music] [Music] Ralph I saw who likes dogs can I'll turn to early on [Music] tonight down brother you could see dragon 22 wasn't so digoxin 12 on bumper / - what [Music] [Music] I mean they're not they're not [Music] [Music] [Music] how's everybody who we worked [Music] [Music] little bit go back to Talladega Superspeedway they're coming down to complete lap number 16 of 188 in the die hard 500 Mark Martin is still leading now runs in third spot with Ward Burton back in fourth was up for a challenge of war right on board in the 6th position well John Kernan is with Dale Earnhardt jr. we noticed they pushed his Barbie [Music] and his crew is working on it down Dale what happened restart there we were get going and I don't know what happened actually in front of me but in front of him just stop [Music] [Music] [Music] Dale Earnhardt jr. behind the ball busily working on the car to try and get him back out onto the racetrack he is off to a great start in his rookie year he has the best average start this year of any driver is averaged over the battle continues but again we're seeing three-wide racing with along with [Music] can you imagine being in five car lengths behind the leader in being 15 Jeremy Mayfield shot at mobile one car the pole-sitter and he looks like he's got some help mr. Ling goes down to block that move rusty Jeremy teammates trying to get him and Jimmy Spencer is there on the right also Spencer started this race back in 26th position No [Music] good [Music] in a tree eighty-seven times they sold constant [Music] 186 with this restrictor plate in his camp turn the RPMs you would have a normal race track it's still until these cars get strung out a little bit that's why we got them back there in 75 Ricky Craven is down on the inside line but again ray that way in their booth I just can't believe that that other Lane can hang in there like that which is so while and Donald back a minute ago while I started wave that's back 2pac 37:36 started 35th and his worked his way up to the 12th position I believe if there were another link painted on the racetrack position he has the multi-coloured number 13 car there he is ahead of Scott Pruett beside the pole sitter [Music] and a battle for second now sterling behind Marlon he's gonna get some graphing help from Rusty Wallace Jimmy Spencer Mayfield will move up to the high side to help Mike [Music] yes he is see you [Music] in the first 29 cars within two seconds and a little bit of buffering that's Jerry Nadeau and Michael walked when that happened had two E's Alice Ron will touch the brake to slow down to avoid the crank and you can see Lou he has lost a couple spots has now big triple things by the 60 car Michael Wahlberg had one of the best races of his NASCAR Winston Cup tour last weekend at Martinsville started 34th and finished third why to the front on board with him he's behind rocky Ricky Rudd 60 position yep [Music] [Music] listen to the exhaustion here English never back off not a lot of moving on next year already no it's not it looks like it's cold no the right problem takes the fight up 27 car wants to follow you wherever you go just don't write a path to stay in a nice line never spoke up against by two by two there's the information you see he was not turning that stream with a lot and that's it secret to going fast on a super speedway not to have to turn the car a lot so it strips below if I was those other guys I'd be listening to what Spencer screw chief said complain to James dance crew chief that his power talking about mention is far with a lowly blowpipe they were gonna Justin [Music] back in 30 25th or so but now he's going backwards the in Tony Stewart running there together from the back of the pack where they started right now [Music] from the area bill profile I'm not sure how difficult the time they 18 in the 20 you're having they're exactly where they want to be on what we're doing now I believe is Maggie back there and make they're not in it look for those two teams along with its 24 to try and make up that's one thing we talked about earlier in the weekend on our qualifying shows historically awarding star here because of drafting with what you do want to qualify well they'll learn art the thrill carbine way back showing them look just a with our nerd last time by [Music] about four wide behind is my cold water goes down we mustn't call Gordon when he had to get off the throttle the college this car looks pretty good now musta saw something in front of me getting like they were working the bottom groove there and moving up there hanging dairy maybe now [Music] Dale Earnhardt jr. has wound every diehard 500 there's 27 black he goes gender competition so all cars now to squeeze up boy squeeze up so he Mark Martin is the leader of this race in defending is his crew chief he's watching things closely and Jack Roush the owner is all smiles in Talladega mark leads Marlin his second Rusty Wallace third then Jimmy Spencer and Mike Skinner the top-5 [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] yeah [Music] 66 [Music] in this fat search going for the lead [Music] [Music] [Music] but still got one all trips get a good car he was able to to move up yeah 2015 ago Jeff those guys are still stuck back there and he was right smack in between him and native [Music] [Music] [Music] back at Talladega we had a caution flag because of an incident between Dale Earnhardt jr. and his father at the beginning of the race since then we have been all green and [Music] second then comes Rusty Wallace behind them however look at this twenty wide in the ninety-nine thirty-eight suddenly is right up there at the front in shown in 13th position [Music] just trying to push the 42 car by trying to willing bottles other teeth on Kenny oh and what caught right in the middle green and blue number 42 [Music] again he was up in the top five and right now we see him on the outside cars going by right and left last time by he was back to 12th position [Music] and now we see about eight cars beginning to break away [Music] Dale Jarrett [Music] [Music] Jerry punch has a report on Mark Martin who continues to live here he's left 25 laps of the 33 so far guys a number of the spotters Department on mark Martin's father in ask market the AP would let them slide by and lead a lap to get their five bonus points bark supply I'm not trying to be a jerk out here but you know if I let these guys by then I get shuffled back in that mess back there the big what happens and who's the fool jerk mark says but I'm gonna stay here if you can get by me and get your points in race Bobby can earn those five points come on the inside 12 on [Music] [Music] Mike Skinner and Ann Taylor are teammates are teamed up enter taking a look now ernhardt making the move to the inside Johnny Benson and you got to be very careful because to the left of that yellow line there is flat and if you upset the car find yourself in big trouble [Music] Rusty Wallace moving his way in the second spot [Music] running up front a while ago now is financial Winston Cup start becoming only the 12 driver to reach that mark bobby labonte there in that [Music] Jeff Gordon drop to the inside of [Music] he Craven to the right behind him is Bill Elliott and immediately behind Bobby Labonte is his teammate Tony whyyy down low lookin great Ricky Brennan the fifth car was up about in the top 15 burger he's now back to 31st and hey the cars pretty good I just got kind of shuffled out of traffic and happened to bide my time and I asked him which line they wanted bill to run and they said well it looked like the bottom line was the fast line so if you have to go there and they said well it was the fast line until we got down there so Elliott's still searching all over the racetrack to find the line where his car wants to run the fastest and we talked about to see Jimmy Spencer trying to go buy rusty Ross to take over the second spot and Jimmy there's no one there can you spell [Music] one second we'll move can you pitch stuff we probably move from 30th to the leave that is a pack of cars we've been seen cars that are really 26 on the strain 30 cars the first 30 are within two seconds of each other now here we see Skinner and [Music] heart goes way down to the bottom Skinner is even down here [Music] [Music] six miles an hour Jeff born was one in 36 position ten or fifteen laps ago and last time by up to the seventh spot Jeff recorded music for 13 races last weekend at Marvel he came in [Music] 500 back after these messages and a word from our ABC stations okay that would be okay almost I want a big one I think go single volume they're all around [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] more than 170,000 people are gathered here for the running of the diehard 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race immediately following our coverage you'll be able to see race two of IROC 24 from right here at Talladega Dale Earnhardt of course the defending champion of IRA but will win here at Talladega ABC's Jack Ruth covers all the happenings at the track of ABC Sports Tom a part of Cole with Rusty Wallace Ward Burton and John Andretti [Applause] about 20 spot starting to see two or three cars moved way up against the wall up there they can gain some momentum running down that Bank then he'd actually help them pass on the straightaway I think we saw Bobby up there not too long ago turn the body up there to Terry's thing he'll do that a little bit here [Music] super eight zero report on chat board he started back in 36 position number 18 moved to 29th and then kind of Kong back there until 32 when he took off and now runs [Music] well right now guys are really starting to work some pit strategy and that is one deal that usually does seem to hold here when you pick your pit partners a lot of these guys can't get past lap 55 as for Bobby Labonte right now they're just driving around to make up some spots on pit road the 18 is talked into 24 36 they've got the 20 out there and they evil to talk to the one part watch for these guys to really get those right-side tires back at the left side of the pit where you will be penalized let's go further down pit road negotiations are ongoing leaders pin Mark Martin a moment ago Rusty Wallace crew chief Robin Pemberton came up here to talk to Jimmy Bennett the crew chief the tooth bar can only go around 55 to 56 laps comfortably will you fit with us initiates reply we can go 62 left we need to stay out because we can Bella's hoping our teammate Jeff Burton go 62 laps Robin Pendleton pleaded his case well we need to hang with you we can try we'll try to stay at longer than this in the next quarter discussion would he take two tires or four tires some of the teams want to come in and take only two tires I kind of believe the leader [Music] - let's make a deal in the pits right now ray can you put two cans of fuel in the car it takes about nine seconds to put just right sides on it takes about 13 seconds you top guys rusty and Mark and Jeff Gordon wanna fit they're gonna want four tires so it's better to put four tires on academically to Kansas women while they're coming out to complete lap number 48 low-pitched Oxendine [Music] make sure we cover those we'll take a break it's Mark Martin Rusty Wallace Dale Earnhardt Warburton John Andretti the top-5 at Talladega Superspeedway [Music] [Music] [Music] right we're gonna fit okay seven laughter [Music] my quiz up there 15 yeah yep nice 9 cost single file draft buddies hanging in single car nice yeah those he 15 Thursday since this is his first race at Talladega and maybe he's realizing it isn't as hard as he thought it was going to be Frankie and Jimmy down there talking things over [Music] does anyone is my mic on hello [Music] [Music] to greet you for you first [Music] Bob taking Benny Parsons Ray Evernham John and dr. Jerry punch part of your ABC Vegas Super Speedway we have a 13 car breakaway now up front and Jeff Gordon is hung out losing positions to get back here in the 4 car of Bobby Hamilton I don't know the gym tried to cast anybody as much as everybody can I have decided they're gonna line up on the violin running back there in third Jr in folks we just heard a radio transmission one of these guys said the water temperature is paying this is the warmest day we've had here at several these cars have too much taste on the grill and the water temp here is soaring really cool the last few days temperature expected near 80 there's the interval between those first 13 cars and the rest of the field back in 14th spot is the 33 of jeet Joe Nemechek here soon between Kenny Irwin and Chad meanwhile back up front four cars stay in line but then they form two-by-two behind them with Skinner and Andretti side by side now that will really help that second groove catch up right now they're about 2 and 3/4 seconds behind we'll have to check it next time [Music] it stops beginning to happen here comes Jerry they do down the pit lane 20 a 55 mile an hour speed limit and several others are also coming in Bobby Labonte Kenny Wallace Terry Labonte and Stacy Compton along with to number 60 car of Dick Trickle all on pit road here as the green flag remains out on lap number 54 doubt of oh ever Bobby Labonte and his crew work with several teams up and down pit road they were going to take four tires but because they lost so much track position it's only going to be two [Music] still on the racetrack running it up 180 five six seven course everybody will when they stop down to John Kernan his Mayfield hits his box the pole sitter is in for what we anticipate right side tires only now what's the right front tire changer Steven Lane first Winston Cup race he is in for Reba Paul whose father passed away second cannon gas going on Bill Elliott also lived with right-side tire Jeremy Mayfield is down and away Elliott still waiting he's fighting filled up he will follow Mayfield down as Kyle Petty also hits down pit road now going to Rusty the end shortly celebration or it seems like it is they come down at 55 miles an hour here is Rusty Wallace decelerating as he's looking for his pit stall and sees it the crew jumps out and goes to work John rusty wanting to pit with Mark Martin but he could not do 62 laps like Martin Philbert the front tire changer Robby Gordon is on pit road he's already gotten right sides it's a four-tire change he's going to have trouble catching any partners they have a lug nut full off the left front this will cost them dearly they have to hand screw it back on and take it with the gun [Music] to this race but that is going to cost him dearly in Mike [Music] that's Dave Blaney coming down a little bit quick got out into the grass in any case Ward Burton is also on pit road Ward Burton Johnny Benson to the village detail there will be a four-tire change reward but Johnny Benson waiting on that second can of fuel it'll be just the right time for him [Music] Jeff Gordon already has rice waiting on two left's East down into the toilers follow the 22 in the 10 and don't rejoin the pack [Music] meanwhile on the racetrack Mark Martin is back in the lead in fact one laughs but Martin retakes two men mark has lived 15 races at Talladega prior to today but the only two in which he has led more than 10 laps those being in 95 and 97 and so far mark has been upfront for 48 circuits right if these guys can go 62 that's huge three times 62 is the race is 188 if they can stretch a warning myth-making 63 to mexican stop bill regatta stop Clarence if any if they can do that well it might have helped them here we had a couple laps across right at the beginning so we'll have to say and watch it but if they can get one in Toulouse somebody will try it in position Mike Skinner is in third then Jared and Earnhardt let's take a look at what happened to Dave Blaney they just decided to stop a little bit too late and I tell you what as much rain as we've had around here Dave Blaney does a terrific job and not spinning in that mud John Andretti is in bill and he is on pit road all by himself right side tires only now they get the fuel in and John Andretti will go back out and he won't catch the pack major disappointment at Talladega last weekend he was running right up front in the top-floor ended up finishing in the 14th position you mean Martinsville at Martinsville yeah Mark Martin area following all these guys who now are down to Jerry touches Dale Earnhardt comes in Dale Earnhardt comes in the Goodwrench Chevrolet crow now going over the wall they will change what looks like four tires they go to the light side of the car right above him Dale Jarrett also getting into 31 car Bernard's teammate Mike Skinner getting serviced on his car jared is in left-side tires going on Jarrett's car Earnhardt's car down to the way Mike Skinner off the jacket he will leave as well 55 miles are headed back out leadership be coming in this time Bob [Music] and he goes out with Arden those guys Dale Jarrett they were running right up front Sadler was back in about the middle of the pipe first scheduled stop hits the tape right on the money and the team on the right side of the car Darrell Walker pulling in just ahead of his brother for making sure they get as much fuel as possible they've only changed two tires and now Walter moves away to stay under the yellow line which extends all the way down to turn number one that's the blend line of taking four tires the guys that have the left side apart jacked up when they were finishing this he'll stop actually got a little bit more chaos in the Jimmy Dean telemetry shows us the increase in speed as Michael Waltrip tries to get up but look at the line go the pack gates the last chord in this pack the 888 recording for there's a courtier to become addicted and she now move up my finger to see how much of a twenty eight comes Ricky Rudd just below and I'm clear behind this 28 good race back to the next pack but then Michael touch up with these guys can Jeff bird the crossbars are now coming down to pit road teammates decide that they will pit at the same time on lap number 62 Burton will hit his box first down here comes Mark Martin as he gives up the lead here's Jerry they were at 3,500 rpms in second year at 55 miles an hour they pitting simultaneously one round away agent Mark Martin car went around the fight going in it will put on four tires his teammate about five stalls up behind him likewise getting left side tire Jeff Burton is off the jack as they head down and guys my calculation they might be able to make it on one more pit stop I tell you one thing and they take those pans over now make it a one more stop them taking the pillars off baby that was acting they way to can fold then they weigh it empty it's more act with it to calculate your fuel mileage by the weight of the fuel see that watch they're gonna weigh that cam [Music] well meanwhile on the racetrack Matt Kenseth has picked up the lead he comes in for his scheduled stop but he did get credit for leading a lap and that gives him five bonus points Matt Kenseth another great Vestas Rookie of the Year candidate Mark Martin still trying to get his car back up speed here comes Jeff Gordon Johnny Benson Gordon go home believe I've missed on the outside [Music] sterling now is the leader of the race made that blend line because as Matt Kenseth was coming out there about 70 miles per hour he had cars going out on hundred and ninety mile per hour there's the leader Sterling Marlin running in second position right behind as Rusty Wallace then comes Dale Earnhardt and will be back for more live coverage in a moment of the die-hard 500 The Cat in the Hat has a birthday on Tuesday VP [Music] Kenny Irwin's doing a good job ending I'm gonna slap you [Music] [Music] [Music] thank you okay okay do I [Music] yes no I believe they all took to been because bill was pretty far back he took two and he's up the front there Iron Horse the only one I think that took four that that's up towards in that group that thing's got a pretty good wheel marks on rest of it think rusty chinks took home four did rusty take yeah rusty did take four I'm sorry the streets of Long Beach one Montoya's first career win paved the way to his car championship last year Rio Franchitti won three-straight racism second Montoya at Long Beach and you can see that race later this afternoon on ESPN back here at Talladega 67 laps have been completed and Sterling Marlin is up front leading Rusty Wallace and Kenny Irwin who's doing a great job running in third position this is the 12th race in the last 13 that Sterling Marlin has led here at Talladega running in fourth position is John Andretti and he too is having a big race and Chad Loomis don't forget about him back in the 10th position but why sir snapshot shows that John Andretti started in the 25th position his lowest has been 2014 at the drop of the green flag and is in the fourth spot and scott pruett evidently had a pit stop because he now is Michonne up front most of the day he now is being lapped by the leaders look at this coke pit submarine Mark Martin came in the 22nd position and Ward Burton nation forth back to 19th another guy who and Ricky Craven came in 10th is all the way back to the 13th position [Music] there are only three cars [Music] is back in the race that he is 25 laps down after spending that amount of time getting repairs on the Budweiser Chevy there is Dale Jarrett in the middle of the big pack of cars they're on it in 13th position give Gordon in the middle of the three wide the alekos ribbing Robby Gordon on the outside it's got some help coming up behind him there now with the drafters out on the car and through you that helps you gain speed but you get a big push from the cars behind you when you they can shove you buy a bunch of car [Music] 13th 14th 15th position chicest writer must had a great pit stop with this Eminem's car as was longboarder Conseco onboard cameron trailers now of cuvee 14:14 position yet Kenny Schrader's first NASCAR Winston Cup victory came here at Talladega in July of 1988 and the last time he won a pole position was here a year ago he started this race back in 40s five [Music] it wasn't a cart breakaway but no more this group of cars has never seen Chad little ride in front of our knowledge [Music] he's weaving through now heads to the bottom of the track in the 20th position right now but now the battle is for second position Kenny Irwin up on top trying to take over that second spot from Rusty Wallace but that isn't going to work as he's going to lose a position and John Kernan has a report on Sterling Marlin Sterling Marlin brought here to Talladega for this weekend they got it back from the body shop on Tuesday they haven't sent it back to the body shop for some last-minute modifications and did not get it loaded up on the hauler from the body shop until Thursday drove it here to Talladega turned its first laps in practice did their homework and putting that brand-new car together because sterling is up front by the way they took holding right-side tires during their pit stop down to dr. Jerry punch John Jimmy's Pinterest came on crew is excited but they're also exhausted that likewise is a brand new car and car owner Travis Carter told me they built that car in seven days and you may not believe this but we built this bar in seven days we had twenty five crew members working 24 hours a day they worked in ships around the clock to put this car together learning the top five and they are all smiles John Andretti has the top Pontiac third on the track right now but as you'll recall he pin it all by himself they stayed out there came down pit road went out by themselves got very fortunate at where they caught the pack but the good news is they probably could have done it fuel that they weighed when they put the two cans in the car so good fuel mileage for John Andretti a good car and a good race but you sure don't want to stretch it because if you went out of fuel here just past [Music] talk about Kenny Irwin just what three laps ago how he was running up information second you tried to take over the second spot and lost three wide off the corner Mike Skinner we wide on board with michael waltrip that's Mark Martin is he's on the up side of the track [Music] [Music] six cars breaking away from the field right now the orga corner to corner thirty-six come in with you 36 coming with you Warburton is back yet Mike Bliss and bliss in the 27 car tucked in behind Mike Skinner [Music] [Music] and ago everyone there is her heart Junior but in the 25 laps down but he's in our house learn something for the next time I come here [Music] he has competed in two of those braces we're talking about well there you see the six cars that are out front Sterling Marlin Rusty Wallace john andretti chat Little Jimmy Spencer and Dale Earnhardt goes the top six and then a mad scramble for position after that 77 of 188 laps completed back after these messages and a word from our ABC stations thank you sir bill and Steve Park got together about ten laps ago [Music] who's that Robby Gordon [Music] hi Bryan good how are you welcome to the booth looking good so far this is great [Music] about to become on those guys [Music] yeah heard a lot of guys say yesterday that was the most intense race they were ever in and I'll bet you hear guys saying well that's something to talk about well as the race goes along and they still have to why run three abreast while their mental ability breakdown [Music] that's right well you're right it's no longer a six car break away [Music] [Music] [Music] from Talladega Superspeedway ABC Sports welcomes you back to live coverage of the die-hard 500 race number nine them to 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup season when we went to break we had a six-car breakaway no more they've all gathered up and are running right together again as the Pennzoil copter cam shows you the overhead shots now Sterling Marlin is still leading but they're beginning to lap some slower cars right now the cars of Robby Gordon it barrier she riding Gordon on the bottling racetrack hit there up on top almost to the grass there coming off the corner [Music] so Robby Gordon I don't think I want to go away damn Gordon is running in 37th position Robby Gordon that is he had a good car was actually towards the lead pack and had a problem on a pit stop and lug nut fell off [Music] well here comes Sterling Marlin he goes along with all these other cars and get by Robby Gordon [Music] and restrictor plate races all the Daytona namely and Spencer third and fourth and Spencer down down to the now what happened squeeze out a throttle a little bit and look what happened to his momentum he still doesn't have it back and look at Chad little up on the top of the racetrack once again notice Mark Martin has gotten right back up there again [Music] get on the racetrack there you go [Music] [Music] mr. excitement four years in here why they have called in that but he made it work he's now insane position and birthmark looks like he's ready to mount a challenge [Music] [Music] by the back in 41st be proud of one hundred and seventy thousand plus people are on their feet waving their right now it's Spencer up front with Earnhardt second and enemy inside of State Park L couldn't quite make it [Music] good help [Music] [Music] her down in the 40 car the top six times last laugh was giant eight point seven to three dusty loss walk to me bicha goes there rusty thought he had some help from earn art which he did but Spencer blocked a true [Music] the leader Jimmy Spencer and their scoring down on the low side of the racetrack [Music] [Music] these guys when is when this race is over they will not be tired [Music] mentally exhausted go they're gonna round three and four wide for 500 miles [Music] when you make a bad move it hurts for the second position three abreast as Wallace is on the second now the battle is between Gordon [Music] [Music] 100 to go with Talladega [Music] in previous years especially after we see the first round of pit stops normally these guys get sorted out [Music] but at the moment we have 28 cars the first 188 cars running within two seconds and 18 cars are running within a second of each other [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] near the speed [Music] with Chad little second and terry labonte third running back in the fourteenth five [Music] [Music] once again Earnhardt mounts a challenge [Music] after delays in that top groove and [Music] [Music] the flat tire run them to smoke their Benny don't know Dale Earnhardt has taken the lead now second position but Dale Earnhardt who swept both races here at Talladega in 1999 is ahead once again at Talladega [Music] minion thanks for your donation yeah Darrell [Music] now I'm kind of wishing I I didn't really want to know they do this from up here I would really be wearing [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] diehard 500 at Talladega Superspeedway we're at the halfway point and [Music] since 94n right now it is Jimmy Spencer who has pushed his car back in the front of the field with Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Burton running side by side for second and Jeff Burton has had an incredible journey to the Budweiser snapshot shows you that after starting in 38 position he has worked his way up to the second spot that fun fun Jimmy Spencer he's on the bottom he has help on the floor on Friday night rather and had the same problem broken engine payments in the corner down [Music] laughs and he is right back in the thick of things were on board with him he's running back in about the 12th but all these cars again are running right together on the racetrack with comes Jeff Gordon try to get on the inside of rusty [Music] laughs cars 32 of school is not on the lead lap who's running right behind Jeff it is also a lockdown for position there if Jerry punch in the 97 chat little pit well we told you moments ago can't little made an unscheduled pit stop we saw smoke out on the back of the car he had a left front tire going down they assumed he possibly cut the tire coming off turn two he felt initially a vibration the car began to bounce and here's what's left of the tire now he lost one lap in the pits when he came in this belt this steel cord here was actually wrapped around the brake caliper they had to take a hacksaw and saw it off here to be able to get it from around the brake counselor he lost another lap sitting in the pits trying to get the old what's left of this time off well they can put the new tire owns a chat little after a great run early on now being shown two laps down that kept that you see that came up at 97 car Elliott Sadler in Texas had something son what happened his left rear that cap beat off the quarter panel in the shoulder and bruised it substantially on the low side on board with Ward Burton working back to Robby Gordon that's Ricky Rudd in the middle and Terry Labonte up on the top side [Music] and so is the 55 car Kenny Wallace after an incredible disappointment last week at Marquis Dale's generator stick on the second lap I believe it was took him into the wall but Kenny Wallace has got things going here in this square d 55 running 10th spot pretty hotly contested right now between ian park and several others meanwhile here's the battle for second front in Jeff Gordon [Music] is trying to take it away but here rusty comes back his Bobby Hamilton [Music] leaders so far in the first 99 lat and led the most laps 51 [Music] Marlon has been out front for the second highest medal [Music] great shot from the Pennzoil copter cam as the cars moved through the 33 degrees of banking between turns three and four now one of the 18 degree banking of the tri-oval [Music] laughs complete 88 to go an aviary [Music] I'd have to squeeze off the accelerator just a little bit [Music] [Applause] by side all the way around the racetrack pitstops before the top 5 with 100 of 188 laps completed here at Talladega Superspeedway right back [Music] State Park nose-to-tail but didn't work out let's hope not bill Garrett's pleased in the point [Music] Michel there you go good call right - baby we're on the air [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] nine hard 500 continues here at Talladega Brian whitesell on the right and Robby Loomis the crew chief for Jeff Gordon on the left they've got a bit of a smile on the face right now because their guy Jeff Gordon is in the lead here at Talladega in fact we have had our 9th and 10th different leaders Gordon finds himself in front of the field of Mormon you ever see him lay he talked about it he got a good push in the back of just turned to the left somehow squeeze that Shirley between lien on the ninth of the two and took the lead I saw those guys coming Tamara said come on boys to Michel Jeff Gordon is on since he won his very first race back in May of 1994 [Music] way up high other waste Bobby Hamilton and Jeff Burton [Music] we park alongside Burton that's a battle for about the seventh position [Music] to complete on the 107 flap [Music] the marker on the line gasps however since he's rejoined the race he is stuck right up here with the lead pack [Music] today he is the points leader of course and he's got his teammate Tony Stewart right behind hardly at all they're 27 to 28 right now bill Weber and Bobby Labonte is not very happy with his toys we thought he'd over with Ginny a car his crew chief make our Cobra bodies get set up the people coming off the turret - he has a long long way well there he is off corner number four but he has still not gotten to the entrance to pit road yet a track bar adjustment for popular bodies getting four tires and fuel to come down pit road when they told him parks car would stall the spotters had to stay out he said I've already a good day for the currently points leader let's go down to Jerry punch what was wrong with Steve Park as the crew came running bike bias Bob banana breath one of them said apparently so we missed the piss and he was going to go around but he's out of gas he couldn't go anywhere so the car just came to a rolling home in the middle of pit road he couldn't go forward or backward he came down to spray ether in the car got fired and got him back up to water path so unfortunately we waited little late to get and we missed our pit so a couple of mistakes cost us dearly John Kernan Jerry while Bill Elliott was so what'd I miss nothing where did Jeff and Mark him out relational the mark is right now a second behind but Burton is where's Burton he's three second time [Music] [Music] welcome back to Talladega Superspeedway next Saturday I Tom Steve ejector route and Vince Welch will be with you for the Indy Racing northern light series the Vegas 8300 Saturday live at 3:30 Eastern Time we'll see whether buddy lazier can pull off another outstanding performance he went from last to first at Phoenix it's the final tune-up before the Indianapolis 500 and it's next Saturday here on ABC at 3:30 Eastern Jeff Gordon the leader of the Talladega diehard 500 with Jeremy Mayfield and Dale Earnhardt running in second and third position as the Pennzoil copter can follows the drafting line down the backstretch we saw Rusty Wallace had the problem and drive to drive right straight to the hauler what is the problem back there unfortunately I think he's done for the day rusty we had the great run maybe the best one you've ever had at Talladega what happened what's the broke the piston I guess after that pit stop about five laps later I started to know a lot of smoke and stuff like that sparkplug so sober [Music] all along you know just being patient while they run a second most of the time trying to get the lead pack on and get away from everybody cutting up my love what a strong hot rod this thing was incredible it handled perfectly snuck up the draft was good I think we could have won the race I really do it right there at the end the pit stops were stellar all day long they kept giving y'all some track position and we lost an engine but you know what that's about the only one we've lost now we've got a caution on the racetrack for Kenny Wallace and we'll check in and see there sorry it's already heavy out rusted obviously is okay may have scraped the Waldo enough to bring out this second caution of the afternoon and this first since lap two and boy all those plans all those plans that the Cat in the Hat Jack Roush came up with that Gaulle gone down the tubes because now all of them can make it from here the rest of the way Benny we'll probably see a lot of two-tire stops this time guys that have not been on the left sides that long and they're going to want the track position pace car picks up the field we'll just behind the pace car Jeff Gordon right behind Jeremy well we have had 10 litres so far let's review them for you Mark Martin has led the most laps 52 then Sterling Marlin with 21 Gordon and Spencer of each left 14 and so has Jeff Burton Earnhardt led five Mayfield for Jarrett for Kenseth too and Rusty Wallace did lead and lead one lap before giving it up for the day and Billy it was almost left he was about 45 seconds behind the leader it takes about 49 to get around the racetrack and the caution flag comes out he goes all the way around and makes up that 40 there he is the track crew is going to go out and check the race track while we're under this caution flag and you will see some pit stops here in just a moment and we'll see how many of these cars changed - how many changed poor there are 24 cars on the lead lap and so that many are eligible the pit here as the pits come open about 24 cars coming out that road coming down at 55 miles an hour they learn heart stops in his pit stall will throw to Jerry punch triple split pitch 12 24 and 3 got a forward and to Chevrolet's Earnhardt's crew changing right-side tire will fit on a gun curtain and Sterling Marlin overshot getting gassed 4:12 a field takes right-side tires Wow seven point six seconds on that pork [Music] [Music] the six of the 99 Mark Martin and Jeff Burton did not stop they did it not too long ago so they have elected to stay out there and get this price position more from Talladega [Music] got me a mic turn me off yes okay bp's taking a break you'll be right back raise a bat huh okay race abandoned meme too me too so it's all old Bob just right here now on the booth okay [Music] that's what I say [Music] Neal rather more than 170,000 have gathered here on this beautiful Sunday afternoon in Talladega Alabama for the die-hard 500 Winston Cup race we are under caution here with 133 - completely well you know technology has come a long way but speeds up we here have slowed down here's a NASCAR 2000 omen brought to you by NASCAR racers Jerry punch let me talk about restrictor plate racing and what are we really talking about well what we're talking about a restriction of air getting into the engine here back in 1987 at Talladega Bill Elliott set an all-time stock our record qualifying at two hundred and twelve point eight miles per hour now when he ran his qualifying lap let me show you he had this kind of carburetor plate and when you opened up see how much air could come in there because there was no plate beneath it now I'm gonna lay this down and show you that NASCAR decided that that was too fast that was getting faster so they wanted to put a plate this little thing right here is a restrictor plate those little holes in that plate are seven eighths of an inch that's what the teams are running today now what that effectively does if I put that plate down and put this back on top of it here and then put the carburetor base plate if I open that up you see there's very little air can get in through that plate what the heck effectively does of the engine is cut the horsepower in half if I were to put this carburetor and this plate back on one of today's engines has 760 horsepower the pole here at Talladega would have been 228 miles per hour but with a carburetor restrictor plate on it the pole here this weekend was 189 this plate less air less horsepower but and less feed but significantly greater safety they want to keep the cars under 200 miles per hour for the roof collapse and all the safety features will work on a NASCAR Winston Cup stock car and Ray how many nights of sleep have you lost trying to think of ways to get more air through that little hole but legally you you've got to work on lots and lots other things but there's a constant research and development program and most of the big engine builders Hendrick and Yates graphs those people have people up just anticipating I wonder what his fine driver to run toward 28 miles let's go down to Bill Weber and get a report on the 18 car of Bobby Labonte well Bob Bobby Labonte obviously came in as the point leader but he has had a dismal day never really running up front they've had some problems on pit road and they had another problem this time when they stopped they wanted to take one piece of tape off the front of the grill of that car well Jeff Chandler who's the front tire changer grab that piece of tape after he changed the right sides and was coming around and do the left so he took the piece of tape off but they had a miscommunication they didn't think the pieces come off so another crew member went and grabbed another piece and now they've opened it up much more than they had planned see this area there it had some tape on that top drill and Bill Weber it as he said that taking more tape off than one and that will really slow that car down any air that goes through that world and hits that engine slows the car down considerably [Music] still under caution mark mark Jeff Burton Kenny Irwin is running in third position fourth is Mike Skinner than Jeff Gordon Jeremy Mayfield Michael Waltrip Sterling Marlin Ward Burton and Jimmy Spencer those are the top ten as we are just about ready to get the green flag and resume this race on lap 136 we mentioned Bobby Hamilton is also lost an engine in the Kodak film Chevrolet he is out of the race he Kenny Wallace and [Music] [Music] [Music] Mark Martin held his hand up to Jeff Burton and said I'm not going I'm not going I'm not going as soon as he got ready to go he dropped his hands which means okay you can accelerate that's one way appeal [Music] they do as a courtesy that probably went on on back through the pack Benny they know that it's it's easy to cause a problem up front what we're talking about mark mark sensing guys okay all right [Music] leave them down there Kenny Irwin for the third spot [Music] to get a lap back he is just one lap down in the 28th position so he needs to get up front remote there's another caution he's coming through blue car right in the middle screen [Music] [Applause] the worst account Manor just know where to go [Applause] [Music] so is Dale Earnhardt jr. Tony Stewart Stacy Compton Dick Trickle Rhonda merrier Robby Gordon yep barely see Tony Stewart trying to get his car back to pit road looks like he's got a little old father [Applause] [Music] that Bobby Labonte was he ken schrader walking with his car Bobby the body I guess they told him he couldn't go that way so he turned around situation here comes Tony Stewart limping toward pit road with a bit of a fire there and ricky rudd likewise has damaged in the left front of that car let's take a look at what happened cars were right in the tri-oval in front of the main grandstand when trouble broke out the 32 car right there is where the trouble is going to start he makes contact with Robby Gordon he goes down hits I guess that's the 7 of Michael Waltrip and then look there's just no place to go as those guys come across the racetrack as the smoke goes up there's nowhere to go except in the side of another car and from another angle watch the contact between the Thai car and the one running right beside it right there and the 40 car of Sterling Marlin goes in the back of Robby Gordon which turns him around the Marlin although he may have got some damage in the front end was able to get through it look that debris up there in front of these cars and from another angle [Music] [Applause] all right now we go on board with my go Walter I realize yet some damage to his car now from Bobby Labonte's perspective [Music] missed it must break right in front of body [Music] pretty good writer you got there yeah and head toward the pits in the wrong direction and now from Dale Earnhardt jr. sper spective now folks I think you understand what we mean about the big ones but we waited for over a hundred and thirty five laps before we had it this one read you hate to see caution flags because they always seem to breed more caution play under caution because of a multi-car wreck at Talladega we'll be right back well it's too bad don't know what happened there Benny did thinking the trials like turn left and turn sharper Nick that so if he'll stop before all that stuff I don't think he got in the middle of that day no it saved those guys they were all reckoned together michael waltrip probably took about the hardest year he did [Music] we got 49 laps to go yep they didn't give the 17 that a lot back huh 1:32 more than 32 [Music] still I figured that out well did me are you going in now understand that was easy any other questions now the leader had taken the cautious language now you gotta wonder here four tires on because of the flat tires they've had here today okay so how many billion do we have in that mess you're calculating 17 cars okay well it has happened here at Talladega while we hope would not end the tire marks tell the story a huge crash right at the start/finish line involving at least 17 cars look at those skid marks and already made their way around to pit road to get repairs underway we see Dale Earnhardt jr. and Bobby Labonte among others on pit road now LaFonte pulls away he's going back out on the track but he'll be back you think a tougher hit than the stock market did on Friday Bob they've got numerous repairs to make sure that a lot of tape they had it just checked the tow they're still working on that they had a new nose down here they cut off the right side of that we're gonna try and either pop rivet it or take part of it to the right front of the car so they've got tools down here what they're basically trying to do now is protect as many points as they can but Levani will be back on pit road very damaged race cars with a very disappointing day the Jerry punch Michael Waltrip has climbed out of what's left of his Nations or in Chevrolet your vicious lick on the right side of the wall Michael first of all you okay yes thank the Lord I'm fine just held on tight didn't see what happened don't know why I was heading towards the wall just unfortunate this will go down as another defeat for me and my team but it could have been so much more than that we have positioned ourselves nicely worked hard all day long and just got involved in a wreck you those are avoidable I mean we race so close together for so long and then somebody just makes a mistake and wipes out half the field I'm proud of my nation's rich Chevy though man it was good if you look to our left here the crews working viciously or vigorously to get this car back on the racetrack Michaels and the reason being with 17 cars involved you could gain some points yeah we could get up with the 50 points and that's big you know you have to go after these things the guys will do their best to fix it and if they don't get it fixed at least we'll be able to fit it on the trailer and before that wasn't gonna be the pace so just work on it and try to get back out there because this team has been good this year now we're crashed I'm just my sponsors and my team alright michael waltrip okay but his nations rinse Chevrolet well it's gonna need a lot of work to get back on the racetrack nothing to be ashamed of from that team though they were good until this happened this got through it makes contact with Robby Gordon and their Michael Waltrip gets hit he goes down through the grass and that comes back across the racetrack and oh and then Robby Gordon gets him again turns him around and it's too numerous to call from there on there is Tony Stewart getting bang by Dick Trickle and others and Bobby Labonte now on board with our the driver who was the force leader coming into this race but right now absolutely nowhere to go there's that one smokin that many cars it's just unbelievable you have very very little chance of getting through something like yet another angle we see Michael Walker taking a shot down there at the bottom of the track then sliding up and hitting the outside wall very hard while others are just collected as they head down toward the start/finish line and after that Tony Stewart drove the car around so far and decided that he would bail out there is a fire burning with the in front of the car pretty good reason yeah they got be getting out to Stuart just sets down regains his composure he took a hard hard shot in that wreck well that's the situation as the cleanup now is underway with 142 of 188 laps completed more after these messages and a word from our ABC stations right at the end of the crash that 75 runs into the 15 car well maybe well I I'll look next time bye he's running back maybe he did he's Britt the very end of this line he's backing about yeah it sure looked like he was going on in 15 but I guess guess he didn't see the 15 that there's a 75 coming he misses the seven very slams on the brakes and right there you just just pushed him all the way yeah well okay it's got four new tires on it though penny yeah he is he's flood those didn't he yeah they are putting tires on the back of that car [Music] [Music] [Music] lady Morse gotcha big Joe Rupert he'll tell you that story someday right Macca Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama where the diehard 500 is under caution you see this expansive layout here which is located east of Birmingham and west of Atlanta Talladega Alabama the shots courtesy of the Pennzoil copter cam well the fans gathered here have seen a huge crash let's take a look at the cars involved in it some 17 became entangled in the mess including the points leader going into this event Bobby Labonte and his teammate Tony Stewart going to be a long list here we won't have to read every one of them but as you can see the pit crews now are very busy on some of these cars trying to get them back into some reasonable shape that they can go out and at least complete a few more laps and perhaps move up a couple of positions in the stand getting out of the car looked to be okay what was your view of what happened down there I saw the 60 car coming back across the racetrack but it was it started way up there your M&MS Pontiac is now on em Pontiac part of the other m has been ripped away the crew over there working on it any shot are you getting back out with you 14 to the points I'm sure if it's any way possible I fired it never shut it off I kept it running but I looked down didn't have my little push or shove shut it off steering wheel was still in about same position so you know they might be able just put all the stuff in front back the motor radiator and stuff can get it back out but we talked about this forgery at least it wasn't the WNW Pontiac so it wasn't all that bad was it upside down a sense of humor from Kenny Schrader he'd like to get back outcast and stay in the top 15 in points at Fossum we're just glad to see him okay let's take a look at a NAPA field summary and where they are right now with Martin and Burton showing away with Skinner Gordon and Kenny Irwin completing the top five all these cars on the lead lap right now we're showing 19 cars on the lead lap we saw the 17 and the 32 raced the leader Mark Martin back to the pits back to the line we said well he got a lap back well the fact that matters that Martin Martin had already taken the caution flag so that froze the put the cars in positions they were not allowed to pass the leader and there are some of the cars involved that are off the track getting repairs made well this is the big one that occurred right here in the tri-oval 17 involved in a big pileup at Talladega apparently everyone is ok the diehard 500 continues here on ABC Sports in just a moment [Music] do we know what the minimum speed those damaged cars will have to run at because they're doing all that bodywork to him nascar have to give you a minimum speed now anybody from the pitch know that forty two is not near me I don't believe Jerry or bill or John do you know what the minimum speed these guys are going to have to go to out there I do not want to test my microphone do you hear me I'm inside the truck with Tony Stewart yes tonight or next week okay [Music] [Music] [Music] swamps at the 33 and 71 they're also involved did you say this one 30 days ago 33 damage and a set the radio said said one blew an engine so still under caution here at Talladega in the die hard 500 well tonight at 7:30 Eastern Time the NHL Stanley Cup playoff Conference quarterfinal game number three features Philadelphia Flyers against the Buffalo Sabres Dominik Hasek 25 saves but it's still his team Oh two in the series ESPN and ABC are the exclusive networks for all Andy Cobb action the cars line up two by two you know what that means we are set [Music] Mark Martin Jeff Burton will lead them down publisher malaise of Mike Skinner Jeff Gordon [Music] of the year his best finish in the year 2000 14 rather at Daytona laughs down in 20th spot all those up on top included in those alive down Dale Jeremy's 21st Jerry punch is with Tony Stewart another one biggest thing I feel about kebab because I couldn't keep him from getting hit but the guys are working on Home Depot Pontiac and trying to get it put back together where we can least going on try to get some more laps and then maybe get a couple spots on the guys that are still stuck here in a garage so just trying to watch them and see how Bobby [Music] Tony Stewart sitting here he's changed clothes but hoping to be able to get back on the racetrack [Music] sliding around at the there is no caution the left rear tire is flat on that car we see and now the caution flag does wait now here comes DJ can these guys DJ he had kids with too far back [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] I think Mark Martin backed awfully get a lap back and those guys for Honda would not have anything to do with it talking about Jeff Burton Mike Skinner and Jeff Gordon today if he's going to back up we're going to pass him the risk but there is a gentlemen's agreement not to pass each other race back to the line but didn't work last week with Martinsville Benny I don't think it's working here today here it is they went to the line they're going to be four deep and now I don't know who wins I guess Wow yes Jeff Mark Martin does barely beat Jeff Gordon to the line as Skinner in the birds from the entire third in any case none of those a lap down did get a lap back so the second caution flag here on concession has law the base at the [Music] we did somebody somebody get that boy got the water no I get watching the race well you weren't you on to me way Mike [Laughter] we're not gonna have as much time to fill at the you know we still got an hour in 10 minutes is that right yeah yeah okay yeah we have bliss involved in a crime because he definitely was losing on pit road is that Spencer is that the very like I said to mean the chair that could because he was involved yep but the 71 car blew in the 71 car blew an engine he was not seventy one of markets blew an engine he was not involved in it they're trying to get the body really straight on that eighteen because they are gonna make them maintain a of a speed a number whatever that mile per hour whatever it is or they'll Park them a spinning ricky rudd off corner number two has brought out our third overall caution of the day here on lap 149 at Talladega we told you about the hockey game at 7:30 tonight on espn2 well next Sunday the Stanley Cup Playoffs continues with quarterfinal action check your local listings or log on to ABC Sports calm in your area you'll see it next Sunday live at 3 o'clock Eastern 12:00 Pacific on ABC home of the Stanley Cup Bobby Labonte comes out of the pits once again he's made numerous pit stops trying to get that car can take up as much as possible so he can complete the race the junkyard doesn't well they'll keep working on that to get it that body is aerodynamic as they can NASCAR will make him maintain a minimum speed are there parking right now he's still on the lead lap if they were to park them for not being able to go fast enough he'd lose 10 to 12 spots and Bill Weber has more and we just checked down here double check ray that should be a lap time of fifty eight point nine zero is the minimum speed that these cars have to turn here at Talladega fifty eight point nine zero if my body can't maintain that they will parking jerry ricky rudd back on pit road apparently they had tried to repair a front fender from that previous melee involving 17 cars and that was the offending factor that cut a tire that caused him to spin a moment ago and produced this caution flag ricky rudd back on pit road trying to get all four tires back on the car the fenders pulled back away so he get the Texaco Ford back on the racetrack let's check in with John Sterling Marlin who led some of the middle portions of this race got into the back of someone during the big wreck and damaged the right front of his car they had to use a hammer beat down the hood on the right side and also around the grill they had to tape it up because there was a hole going up under the hood so I've talked to Scott Eggleston his crew chief to try and find out how much that would affect the car Scott just shook his head he says I'm not really sure how much it's gonna hurt the car aerodynamically to Bill Weber John during that previous caution for the big crack here on the front stretch several cars came on to pit road but seven cars did not the six the 99 the 31 the 24 the 42 the 22 in the 26 did not pit Johnny Benson was the first guy that came on to pit road that went out followed those seven cars around the track there was some concern about whether those cars that did not pit had run through debris on the track but now under the caution most of the crew chiefs have confirmed with their drivers that their tires do feel fine so with 19 cars still on the lead lap we are set to go back to racing once again this will come out on lap number 152 some sterling Marlins grill right II think he'd get enough air through that thing to cool the red here look like he'd not feed grill back on that 40 car I could check that out for more ways back the harder it is to get air in there buddy [Music] talk to your stories crew chief about that he says I think we're going to be okay although under caution temperatures gone up into the tube bars blue left speed as they hit the backstretch with Martin leading Gordon and Mike Skinner and Jeff Burton and Ward Burton [Music] Jeff Burton goes to the high side of Mike Skinner trying to take away the third position his brother decides not to go up there but study behind Mike and Keith and here's a three-wide a couple of lap cars Kenseth and Jarrett you know better cook here and get behind he's struggling right now and he is struggling right now [Music] journeyman Dale Earnhardt [Music] maybe we'll go to the middle lane now off behind Jeff Gordon [Music] [Music] and Jeff Gordon moves down the block and challenges some help in the middle there with Matt Kenseth and Mike Skinner though they might be [Music] there goes Burton bite the 12 from the outside now he is really random riding their own top of the race [Music] and look who's back in this bill Elliot is right in the thick of things going on the chorus dinner drives on the inside of geryon scout billion in debt see what Jeremy had to back off the gas were scared within their four wide [Music] he's shown in the 13th position down they come to complete another lap all this action happening be fine fight for position behind him because he just drives away [Music] Mark's gonna have to be using his mirror and his spotter to tell him with Hangul he's having a tough time trying to block both lines right now Jeff Gordon has his team mate cheering they do the 25 far tomorrow - Carter have team cars lined up on the inside with Martin [Music] [Music] important challenges marking for the lead and Jeff Gordon will inch ahead of Mark Martin first and second turns but Martin has a great run off the back stretch and retention they are side by side Eliot coming through the back once again and Jethro another teammate terry labonte the Caliph's cars pull up on the inside [Applause] [Music] NASCAR Winston Cup start [Music] [Music] his brother one of those involved in the crash is maintaining the speed and staying on the lead lap for right now [Music] continue to run [Music] 17:17 caller he is in 21st bottle at down [Music] looks like a bomb in the bonnet this year Sophie body has kind of had the charm life because after all that damage and the crash yet he's still on the lead lap early in 17th position and the car is running maintain that position now he's running with Robert Pressley and Dave Blaney and Joe Nemechek we need to get it Blaney out front he's the only one that's got a good nose on his car back up front Martin continues to hang on to lead 97 car the John Deere car [Music] signmark Martin gets a good run again through the first and second bank [Music] please Jack Roush cars lined up on the inside [Music] on the lead lap he's in 26 5 3 laps down [Applause] had a flat tire earlier in the race [Music] now completed there are the top five back after these messages in a word from our ABC stations [Music] dad you need a hot dog wrapper don't you [Laughter] you need a hot dog wrapper for a caution yeah he's a roll bar paddy yeah [Music] [Music] okay [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] yes yes sir I am fully prepared to do that but throw it back to maybe see I'm fully prepared to throw it back to Robin Roberts in our ABC Wide World of Sports video anyway right okay just a little past four o'clock Eastern Time we welcome you back to Talladega Superspeedway we've completed 162 of 188 laps in the die hard 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race and Jeff Gordon no longer [Applause] Dale Jarrett is the lead car and he is at the tail end [Music] it's an after innovation this abandoned just about 55 minutes from now you'll be endlessly yesterday at Talladega Superspeedway the second of four races in IROC 24 that's coming up next here on ABC Mark Martin and leaderless the second-place car Kenny Irwin in the BellSouth car right now if Ford Chevrolet and punic first three near when right now running in second position his career best finish came earlier came at Daytona last year in 1999 still stacked up 3d [Applause] [Music] and Bill Elliott running together he'll start into the outside of the front row here was Louis cornea six-five [Music] we talked about the hole that you [Music] couldn't replace continuing to know started to chill he had all that tape on the grill man [Music] too long ago sitting back it's important for these guys get out there and make a few laughs [Music] 17 lap tire 17 car pileup most of them completed the same number of laughs [Music] one sneak attacks look how quickly things can change Kenny Irwin one second laughs ago and now as they come down and [Music] six-five Jeff Gordon Johnny Benson all these stars side by side here's Benson getting a great run I thought he had a great run on 31:5 Mike Skinner did not work out Vincent finished well from the Daytona 500 39 laps [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] because they're close in a journey made feel these curly in [Music] Sterling Marlin moves up to fifth [Music] often we see the cars get strung out and get in single file formation but literally since the drop of the green flag we have seen the issue of course now it's much smaller but still we've got about 19 cars running right together here's Jerry punch a moment ago Mark Martin radioed and told his spotter to tell the 88 spotter Dale Jarrett to stay on the bottom of the racetrack in other words if DJ stays on the bottom of the racetrack mark will stay in the draft and keeps the three behind Oh Tasha would Claude didn't get back on the Lila [Music] garrison plot I'll stay around here I appreciate the hill Bill Elliott is quietly and patiently worked his way back to the find the Pat Travis sitting in the third spot that's the same car that finished third in the Daytona 500 earlier this year and also won one of the qualifier who tells me they have not tested with that car since then but they have been to the wind tunnel and massage the body a lot they say that car is the same as it was at Daytona only we got less than 20 laps to go Mark Martin is leading his clenched the five bonus points for leading the most laps in this event the next consecutive race that a different driver has led the most laps in the year 2000 [Music] he amazing how this stuff goes around and coming [Music] the DJ hung him out rather for having to work together try to win the race and Jarrett not in contention to win yeah [Music] and through the watch out from up here [Music] [Music] I'll tell you see what you've done couple hours almost 8:00 those guys get them run out of the mountain man he gets real close to [Music] [Music] [Music] that I hired 500 in its closet laughs 172 complete of 188 and the lead of the race is Mark Martin followed by Dale Earnhardt and Bill Elliott completing the top 5 Jeremy Mayfield was our pole sitter Mike Skinner on board with Mark Martin looking back on iron heart last lap all six top six cars for an excessive 190 miles an hour the fastest was Kenny Urbanism be the fastest this time because yes Jeff Gordon position and they were just side by side long ran side-by-side the other packed off [Music] had a good race another car comes back into the event that is Michael Walter who took a couple really hard shots during that big 17 car pileup that we had on about lap 138 the deep park also entered reinterred to hit the race I'm sorry going off turn two [Music] you are looking for a place to go side of the racetrack thang he's getting shuffled Jerry punch has more on this corporation that is going on between Mark Martin and Dale Jarrett but as much as Dale Jarrett would like to be able to stay on the lead lap and have a caution to get be able to come back and have a shot he radioed to show the sportsmanship the DJ has he radioed a moment ago through his father to mark Barden said ask mark if I'm hurting him if I'm hurting him I'll get out of the way I'll be happy to get out of the way mark Martin's replying nobody say rut we are stay on the bottom of the race tech I'm using you to hold that pole behind me you're doing a great job stay put now you're coming cheering if you hear me ladies smacks the inside [Music] on pit road wow man we saw him once before yes we did he had to go to the grass when he came in earlier to a pit stop and now it's the law and will be no caution now Earnhardt has been shuffled back to about fourth of fifth spot contact there between Bert and Earnhardt they traded pain at the end of the backstretch we'll put Jeremy Mayfield and here is the incident involving Dave Blaney once again he just becomes into hot gets that right rear in the grass and looking at last our inspector well he goes by him okay look out guys look out guys [Music] believe everyone did look at well let's hope we saw some debris bounce over the wall let's hope that nobody was hurt by that incident involving de Blaney I'd have been down and I'd have gotten hurt trying to get out of the way absolutely oh hey field looks up to the high side of Mark Martin but cannot and make it work Mark Martin retains the lead [Music] 77 Mayfield looking high shuffle back a few positions a few comes right back up to battle on the outside there and Jeff Burton once again tries to go inside his room and we'll do so down the backstretch with Dale Earnhardt info Mach markers Burton and Jeff board just moved right over for the Jeff Burton trying to get to look like it worked very well Jerry punch any injuries down there on pit road no very close call we were about four or five feet away from where the 93 car slowed us he does back around the wall called his foot on the wall and tumbled over down pit road a moment ago but that went over and talked to Robert he's up at okay walk arounds are taken in this track away but Wow your steering moments down here all right that's so fitting here nobody is injured all right we've got less than ten laps to go there is Robert Yates he's okay laps to go and Jeremy Mayfield has a fast race car Jeff Burton Terry Labonte and Jimmy Spencer here comes Johnny outside of Johnny Benson [Music] was up there amongst them a few laps ago now is at the back of this group back in 16th position [Music] as they continue to fight for position on this afternoon he's 14 and so has Wally Dallenbach in 275 he's been on the lead lap all day it is in the 15th position [Music] [Music] it's amazing how things work out in this bed remember the Daytona 500 when Dale Jarrett won the race he and Mark Martin running second mark soon we had a plan to go by Johnny Benson when they started their plan and something happened to DJ he felt like abandoning just left him out there and [Music] right now he's trying to use Dale Jarrett to win the race at Talladega so thanks [Music] [Music] 3117 are racing for position we're racing for the 18th of 90s bought one lap down talking about the 17th of Ken twenty-five of jerry nadeau was also in that battle and 20th [Music] you go for breasts dollar Magda's drive to the inside of Kyle Petty we're [Music] 19 in the October race here at Talladega while back up front it's still Mark Martin maintaining the advantage on Jeremy may feel but everybody is trying a better position now Jeff Gordon upside Mike Skinner and he picks up a position mail behind Mayfield of Martin back and forth and Kenny Irwin again the shuffle is on down the backstretch Jeff was always real good at watch here we go to leave Jeremy on the outside he's marked on the inside and is it gonna work for him because nobody is going up there with him [Applause] [Applause] [Music] his Mark Martin what's he going to do he's caught in the middle and his Jeff Gordon's car gotta walk with Dale Jarrett [Music] Ford and Gordon to the Chevy let's see what happens here the closing laps Kenny Irwin [Music] and Mike Skinner is in third second and third position they've never run stop race [Applause] four more laps to go Jeff Gordon trying to end a level streak [Applause] [Music] second spottings on the inside of kids everyone is up high with Terry Labonte and Warburton slides down into third position [Music] Jeff Gordon goes down to block the advance of Mike Skinner [Music] [Music] side-by-side battle for fourth position Mike Skinner looks like he's got a good run we'll see what he can do there's Mark Martin and this pack now [Music] these parties way back [Music] can you come jernard let's go slow the progress [Music] inside can't make it [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] now looking at just two laps ago one car length advantage over scary [Music] hyaline be Spencer Wow ladies and gentlemen take your pick Jeff Gordon of 24 car has won what 49 races the 31 car of my skirt [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] make a move there down the backstretch for the final time on the racetrack nobody makes the move yet will anyone make the move before they hit the start/finish [Music] to the inside of Mike Skinner nothing go in there - up on the high side in the battle for third position [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] and they cast the line you can see the finishing positions Robby Loomis has been on top of the pit box warmed by his moving by John Hendrick handshakes all around a very very happy moment down here congratulations on winning Jeff Gordon's 50th Darwin comes with Robbie Moomin I'll tell you what just really tough competitor and you know I knew coming in to steal is going to be tough we've been through a lot ups and downs with Brian Weiss and did a great job of car and Randy dort and Charlie Snickers with the engines just an awesome job by the victory today you know we've gone up and down up and down but I'd like to dedicate this win for Lee petty and my folks at home - congratulations see in victory lane an emotional win for Robby Loomis is first as crew chief for Jeff Gordon the 9th different winner this season and he comes from deeper in the field than anyone to win in history 36 - first [Music] let it go I don't know I don't know okay here [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] okay [Music] util [Music] Jeff moves up five positions [Music] one Gabbana still got a break marking one race and another 30 points [Music] Jeff Gordon and the new Rainbow Warriors are back they have watched his their driver take the checkered flag here this afternoon in town 50 of NASCAR Winston Cup event and brakes a 14 race losing streak that dates back to last October at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte let's go to Victory Lane our mcdonald's winner's circle interview here's dr. Jerry punch and listen to this crowd of 170,000 Jeff Gordon gets out hugs his wife Brooke tears of joy they have wanted this one they have struggled this year their first top five coming last week at Martinsville will climb back up they're giving John Hendrick a big high five the big cold swig there Geoffrey congratulations outstanding effort with Wow those final laps for something man I tell you what first I just want to thank God you know we've overcome a lot of things and you know this team just never lost faith in themselves and in God and and that's the only thing that got us through this and I just thank him for all those things but this team and this crew chief or javi and Bryan watch so these guys just did an awesome job I'd say you know we qualified horrible but the second we got out doing the racetrack the DuPont Chevrolet was really really good and I told these guys we can just stay out of trouble you know and be real patient we'll work away the front and it took a while I tell you I was getting frustrated back there in the back for a while come up a few spots and go away back and once I got into the top ten I tell you what this thing was just incredibly fast Mark Martin very strong a lot of people doubted anyone can handle him today well you know when it starts chuffing up like that towards the end you start getting some big pushes and you know I learned from the best Earnhardt and I didn't want to see him come up through that because he's a toughest guy there is to race with these places because he's so good with the air and learned a lot of things from him they paid off today but can't do it without done without this great car and all of our sponsors want to again thank good pun automotive finishes and Quaker State Pepsi Kellogg's GMAC Chevrolet and Goodyear Jeffery a landmark 50th career victory go celebrate I will be ok what I can't wait for the weekend off and we got one coming up this has just been quite a blessing I tell you what to get back in victory lane it feels awesome for it to be 50 in such a great day can I just I tell you it is emotional I sending chills up my spine right now the records are falling here in NASCAR Jeff Gordon's 50th career victory and the night different winner in nine races here in the year 2000 Bob earlier this year Rusty Wallace won his 50th for there are now four tied with 50 wins Wallace curtain or a Gordon Wallace Jarrett and Johnson to these messages in a word from our ABC stations [Music] pretty awesome luck I got in the back of that little in the back window okay Mike Skinner finished second today behind Jeff Gordon Mike did you have anything there at the end well we had a second-place car as best I can tell car drove really good all day pit stops were awesome all day you know we couldn't get anybody to pit with us and finally Jimmy Spencer elected to pit with us we were we were gonna run out of gas on the next lap we had to pit and we got one car to pit with us we ended up coming back out doing okay and really headed toward the front and caution came out so everybody gets bunched up and you just start over two or three times and you know I thought Mark Martin had the car to beat and you know our car was awesome on the bottom all day we elected to pull a little bit higher gear and the car was really good on the bottom and when Jeff Dover under him there I was able to go with him and that's about all there is to it Mike Skinner's second place finished his teammate finished third in his with Bill Weber and that stay learn heart you did come home third and entertaining but frustrating day I imagine yeah I just seen race 500 miles at 500 laps at Martinsville to do this again this is just beating and framing and can't go anywhere you got no throttle response they're just tied two cars down with that smile restrictor plate they need to they need to take the restrictor plate off and open the front ends up and get to you no spoilers way up on something to slow the cars down dirty up the cars or something this this is this is not racing this is this is definitely not racing and not a lot of help today really for anybody that's stuck with anyone well you couldn't I mean everybody's every man for himself and somebody to run they'd have to take it and he was just a shove and go and push and shove and it's just terrible to have to race like this just it's a it's really not racing it's chess playing and see who comes out on top after everybody gets beat around okay Dale Earnhardt finishes third here at Talladega where Jeff Gordon picks up his first win since Charlotte last fall we'll be right back don't you think but how does he really feel Skinner's best career finish and that's Dale Earnhardt you did come home third and entertaining but frustrating I gather with a cellphone so much gummies on TV back at talladega superspeedway in Alabama where Jeff Gordon has won today's diehard 500 the margin of victory nineteen hundreds of a second in the last five diehard five hundreds going into today the average margin mission was 17 hundredths of a second so today was just about average let's go down to John Kernan well Mark Martin did not win the race you were out for a lot of laps led the most laps mark but the big picture you took over the point's lead I'm really pleased with the Eagle one car Valvoline Cummins team has worked hard on our plate stuff this year for cars for tests and it showed today we had a good run and the 12 car was awfully fast and he's got to die to win another race been a while and he made his move earlier than I would have liked for him to and it wound up costing us both it didn't work for him and it didn't work for me either and I hate that for him because he was strong hate it for us because we were in good position but I can't blame him man it's been a while since he won a race and he went for it Mark Martin made almost all the right moves today now let's go to Bill Weber and that's Dale Earnhardt you did come home third and entertaining but frustrating day I'm at I just seen race 500 miles at 500 marks builders to do this again it's just beating and cramming and can't go anywhere you got no throttle response they're just tied two cars down with that small restrictor plate they need to they need to take the restrictor plate off and over run up and get there you know spoilers way up onto something to slow the cars down dirty up the cars or something this this is this is not racing this is this is definitely not racing and not a lot of help today really for anybody that's stuck with anyone well you couldn't I mean everybody's every man for himself and somebody get a run they'd have to take it and it was just a shove and go and push and shove and it's just terrible to have to race like this just it's uh it's really not racing it's chess playing and see who comes out on top after everybody gets beat around okay Dale Earnhardt finishes third here at Talladega where Jeff Gordon picks up his first win since Charlotte last fall we'll be right back Mike Skinner finished second today behind Jeff Gordon [Music] [Music] Mike Skinner finished second today behind the celebration continues in victory lane here at Talladega jeff gordon has won and he came from 36 starting position that's the lowest start ever for a Talladega winner in 62 races the previous lowest was 27 starting position Dale Earnhardt last October down to Jerry punch with Kenny Irwin who finished fourth and records his best finish of the year kenny from 12 to 4 did you have anything at all those last laps of the 24 car I don't think so you know I was really trying to help the 31 get up there and you know we just we're just doing everything we can the last 10 laps there's wild just trying to pick my spot to keep inching up and not going backwards it's it was fun the whole BellSouth crew they did an awesome job all the green flag pit stops I mean you just just can't say enough oh I think we come in 15th and we come out third so they did an awesome job you let yourself think about the possibility that today could have been your first win I mean you Gordon won before but you and Skinner we're looking for that person I know you wanted it badly yeah you know just I didn't think about it you're just trying to put yourself in a position the whole time just to inch up there and a couple times I think sterling was leading and I wanted to run second and sure enough I pulled out of line and nobody went with me I think I went back to 25th and put it that's kind of a cycle all day you go back come come forward and just actually is a lot of fun is it's pretty intense but there's a lot of fun congratulations on a great run thank you Kenny Irwin finishes for speaking of finishing second I think John Kernan has caught up with the second place finisher Mike Skinner Mike Skinner finished second today behind Jeff Gordon Mike you have anything there at the end we had a second place caller as best I can tell car drove really good all day pit stops were awesome all day you know we couldn't get anybody to pit with us and finally Jimmy Spencer elected to pit with us we were we were gonna run out of gas on the next lap we had to pit and we got one car to pit with us we ended up coming back out doing okay and really headed toward the front and caution came out so everybody gets bunched up and you start over two or three times and you know I thought Mark Martin had the car to beat and you know our car was awesome on the bottom all day we elected to pull a little bit higher gear and the car was really good on the bottom and when Jeff Dover under him there I was able to go with him and that's about all there is to it congratulations to Mike Skinner who records his best career finish he had finished third on three different occasions but today's runner-up position eclipses that the international piece of champions race number two of IROC 24 is coming up next here on ABC Sports as we wrap things up from Talladega you 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Channel: SMIFF TV

Views: 19,364

Rating: 4.8726115 out of 5

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Id: tcgDcelkm1s

Length: 238min 39sec (14319 seconds)

Published: Sun Aug 13 2017