Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 5, 1993 TAG: 9302050169
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Knight-Ridder/Tribune
DATELINE: DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. LENGTH: Medium
IRVAN UP FRONT IN CLASH
With Ernie Irvan starting first in Sunday's Busch Clash, the rest of the field won't have to worry about him charging to the front.At least, that is, until halfway through the 50-mile, 20-lap sprint, when the field is inverted and leaders move to the rear.
Hard-charging Irvan pulled the No. 1 spot in Thursday's drawing to set starting positions for the special event at Daytona International Speedway.
Irvan, who will be driving a Chevrolet, said he would rather have the No. 2 spot, which starts from the outside pole.
"The strategy is to win the first leg and then try to come from behind in the second segment," Irvan said. "I'm not real sure we can do that, but I'm sure going to try."
The 15-car field includes last year's NASCAR Winston Cup Series pole winners, plus one wild-card entrant.
Starting No. 2 will be Brett Bodine, who started from the pole last year alongside brother Geoff, who went on to win the race.
Geoff Bodine didn't make the field this year, and Brett, who lost an engine during practice Thursday, said he hoped the No. 2 spot would bring him similar good fortune.
"Maybe that's where the Bodines need to be," Bodine said.
The Clash is popular because it's short, fast and, as Irvan says, "pays a lot for not a lot of work." But few drivers like it enough to risk their best car. Most will save that for the Feb. 14 Daytona 500 and run a backup Sunday. That doesn't mean they won't drive hard.
"A lot of guys talk about how you need to lay back because they invert the field," Bodine said. "But they're paying money in the first half, so I'm going to race."
Drivers drew in order of the number of poles won last year. That put 1992 Winston Cup champion Alan Kulwicki (six poles) first, and Jimmy Means (the wild-card) last.
"It's a novelty-type race," said Kulwicki, who will start fifth in a backup car. "It's not for points. It's not for anything but money and bragging rights."
Dale Earnhardt, whose four Busch Clash victories lead all drivers, drew the 13th spot. An unlucky omen?
"I don't make too much of it," Earnhardt said. "I've come from the back and won it. I've come from the middle and won it. It's my kind of racing. Go all out, and shoot for it."
Keywords:
AUTO RACING