Jimmie Johnson wins, Dale Jr. fifth at
Loudon_9/14/03
 No. 8 Budweiser Team Leads 120 Laps, Limps Home on Seven
Cylinders
Jimmie Johnson won Sunday’s Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Johnson and
his team recovered from a freak mid-race pit incident where three of his crew members were
hit by the car of Johnson’s teammate Jeff Gordon. (The crew members were not
seriously injured.) Ricky Rudd was second while Joe Nemechek finished third. Dale
Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 8 Budweiser team were dominant throughout the day, leading three
times for 120 laps. The team managed to finish fifth, despite completing the final 160
laps on only seven cylinders. (A broken valve spring is the suspected cause.) It is the
10th top-five finish of the season for Dale Jr. He has led 15 races for 797 laps, and
recorded 16 top-10 finishes in 27 races. The fifth-place finish is a career-best for Dale
Jr. and the team at the Loudon oval.
The Key Moments: Starting from the sixth position, Dale Jr., moved
through the top-five methodically, taking the lead for the first time on lap 46. After the
first series of pit stops, the red number 8 car regained the lead on lap 91, holding the
point until the next pit stop on lap 127. After the re-start, the engine began to slow,
but Dale Jr. was able to retain his position in the top-five. The team took the lead for
the final time on lap 184, streaking away from the field until making their final pit stop
on 230. The green flag stop dropped Dale Jr. to 24th place, one lap behind the leaders. As
the race continued and the rest of the field was forced to stop for fuel, Dale Jr. moved
back into the top five in the final five laps of the race.
Dale Jr. Quotes: “Man, my right foot hurts! We lost a cylinder about
halfway (approximately 140 laps into the 300-lap race), so we limped home with seven
cylinders. We were so slow on the straights, I feel like I have a hole in my foot because
I was pushing the pedal down as hard as I could. I’d drive hard through the corners,
and then drop back on the straights. It’s just a reflex I guess, to push the pedal
harder when you see the other cars pulling away. The engine got worse and worse, and I
kept pushing harder and harder. It was like driving a Busch Series car, because we had
very little power. That sucker was makin’ some really strange sounds by the end of
the race.”
“No question we had the field covered when we had all eight cylinders. Easily. We had
a lot more for ‘em even after we took the lead. The car was awesome, and when the
engine started to go away, we were still able to lead because the car handled so well in
the corners. I hated that we had to spot the rest of the field a cylinder, but we still
got a top-five because my team prepared an awesome car and then they made the right calls
on pit lane. We needed the race to stay green to the finish, and it did. It seemed like we
gained a spot or two every lap there at the end as one after another ran outta gas or had
to pit. Tony Jr. was cheering me on almost every lap there at the end. I was just hoping
we’d make it to the finish.”
Best Radio Conversations:
Before the first pit stop, while leading the race.
Dale Jr.: “Put my pit sign out. I can’t see our pit area…
where is it?”
Tony Eury Jr. (car chief): “It’s right at the start/finish
line. We’ll wave at ya as you go by…”
Dale Jr.: “OK… where is it? Just at the line?”
Tony Jr: “10-4.”
Dale Jr: “How many cars on the lead lap?”
Tony Jr: “Only 23.”
Dale Jr.: Whooooo… we’ve been men at work here haven’t
we?!”
Despite the prior discussion, Dale Jr. almost over-shot the Bud pit area on his first
pit stop on lap 84.
Dale Jr: “Sorry about that guys. That was a big mess-up on my
behalf.”
Tony Jr: “I was trying to tell you to pull in just past the 19 car
(Jeremy Mayfield).”
Dale Jr.: “Yeah, I didn’t see the 19 car. I dunno what I was
thinking. I knew you were talking,’ but I wasn’t hearin’ ya, ya know? I was
in La-la-land…”
Tony Jr.: “I understand completely. I get that way sometimes.”
Tony Eury Sr. (crew chief): “Yeah. Especially when I talk to
him.”
After the first pit stop…
Dale Jr.: “We’re great, but just don’t let me run too
hard. The secret to success here is spreading the goodness of the car out over the entire
run. Don’t let me wear it out by racing too hard with somebody and messin’ the
car up…”
After racing for nearly 50 laps with engine problems.
Dale Jr: “Guys, I’m going so slow down the straight, you need
to toss them M&M’s at me each lap and see if I can catch ‘em in my
mouth… How many laps have we led? I’m just trying to think of positives.
I’m in a gun fight with a switchblade here. I’m not happy about it, and it aint
gonna take much set off my infamous temper here…”
With less than 15 laps left…
Dale Jr: “It’s getting worse. I don’t think the engine is
gonna make it.”
Tony Jr: “You’re doin’ great, babe. Just talk to it. Tell
it how much you love it. You’re doin’ great. Keep doin’ it.”
Today’s Stats:
Started: 6th (13th Top-10 start of 2003)
Finished: 5th (career-best Loudon finish)
Points: 2nd place (no change)
Money: $111,192
Best Pit Stop: Stop number 2 of 3 / Lap 127 / Four tires and fuel / 14.06 seconds
Everyone affiliated with the Budweiser NASCAR program sends condolences to Shawn Parker,
crew chief of the No. 88 team, whose wife Tara lost her life in a traffic accident this
week. Memorial donations may be made for their infant son at:
Jagger Alexander Parker Fund
c/o Wachovia Bank
PO Box 2519
Cornelius, NC 28031
-Budweiser
Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser Sylvania 300 Preview_9/8/03
Dale Jr. Quotes for Loudon:
“We had our best career start and our best finish (third and sixth, respectively)
when we were at Loudon a few weeks ago. Sometimes it’s hard to stay focused on the
bigger picture when you have something like what happened Saturday night in Richmond (a
punctured tire while running second with less than 50 laps to go). But, we know we were in
contention for the win, and that’s what we strive for every week. We take this stuff
seriously, but we’re not going to get frustrated. We’re still having our best
and most consistent season yet.”
“I think the owners of the track have done a good job of spending the money they
needed to make the track better. We were able to race in two grooves last time, and the
track held together. It made it easier to pass, easier to race. I’m sure it was more
fun to watch from the stands as well…”
Dale Jr. and the No. 8 Bud Team at Loudon
Previous Winston Cup Starts: 8
Best Start: 3rd (July 2003)
Best Finish: 6th (July 2003)
This Race, Last Year: ST: 37th FIN: 11th (rain-shortened)
Race Details:
Sylvania 300
New Hampshire International Speedway. Loudon, NH
1.058-mile oval / 300 laps
Saturday, Sept. 14 / 1:00 pm / Eastern
Winston Cup Race # 27 (of 36)
TV: TNT-TV 12:30 pm pre-race
Bud Pole Qualifying: Bud Pole Qualifying takes place Friday at 3:00 pm. You can see it
live on TNT. You can also hear the race and Bud Pole qualifying live on MRN radio (a
station near you) or XM Radio.
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"For our last number, I’d like to ask your help. The people in the cheaper
seats, clap your hands. And the rest of you, if you’ll just rattle your
jewelry…"
John Lennon, The Beatles (Paul McCartney's band before he formed Wings), 1963 Royal
Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth
-Budweiser
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