Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 19, 1993 TAG: 9309190124
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: DOVER, DEL. LENGTH: Medium
Bodine took the lead from Tracy Leslie entering turn 3 of lap 177 and kept his Chevrolet in front the rest of the way for his third victory of the season and seventh of his career on the Busch Grand National series.
Rain delayed the start for more than two hours, and the first 13 laps were run under caution to dry the track, the first of six periods for 40 laps under yellow. The overcast sky was getting dark when Bodine grabbed the lead with 24 laps to go.
He never was challenged after that and went on to average 104.545 mph. He earned $18,950.
"They talked about cutting it short, and it made me mad," said Bodine, who recorded his first career win on the 1-mile oval in 1991 and won the spring race here this year.
Craven edged Leslie for second and was followed by Jack Sprague and David Green as Chevrolets took the top five spots.
Bodine's brother, Brett, was injured during practice for today's Winston Cup race at the track and spent Friday night in a hospital with a small bruise on his brain and a broken right wrist. He was released Saturday evening.
"I wanted the win here for two reasons," Bodine said, citing not only his brother, but the late Davey Allison, who was leading but ran out of gas under caution near the finish when Bodine claimed his first Busch Grand National Series win two years ago.
"He never won a Busch race and I really wanted to win this for him," Bodine said. "I really wanted to win this for Davey and for Brett in the hospital."
During the final caution, Bodine made a pit stop while some contenders stayed on the track. That gave him an edge for the final 55 green-flag laps.
"It was a gamble, but it was a calculated gamble," Bodine said. "I knew if the race went the rest of the way green we had to have right-side tires to be able to run up front."
Joe Nemechek was leading on lap 128 when he spun in turn 1 while running behind a slower car. He came back in later and finished 24th.
"We had a good lead," Nemechek said. "I was just trying to take my time, but I couldn't get around the lapped car.
"That's what happens here at Dover. You can go from being the hero to back in the pack."
Season points-leader Steve Grissom finished seventh and retained a 3,093-to-2,947 edge over Green. He can clinch the championship by finishing fourth or better in each of the remaining six races.
Dick Trickle will take Brett Bodine's place in today's Winston Cup race.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB