| | |  | | Another night in Richmond like the one he enjoyed in May will make Little E $1 million richer on Saturday night. |
RICHMOND, Va. -- A million bucks to the winner of a short-track race? Are you kidding me? Well, that's what we've got Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway thanks to the folks at RJR, who throw around the big money in their No Bull 5 program.
But only five guys have the opportunity to win a million bucks, and they are an
interesting group. Not in any particular order or grouping, but there are
two rookies, three dales, a father and son, as well as the current Winston Cup points leader.
That may sound like more than five drivers, but believe me, there are only five.
And isn't it interesting that the title contenders will have $1 million carrot dangling in front of their noses for 400 laps. Let's see, it's $1 million to win the Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400, and also a million-plus to win the Winston Cup title. If that doesn't create some added excitement, you need a jolt of electricity to get your heart pumping.
Kinda like those dudes from squad 51. But, no need to call Rampart for guidance, just read on.
Oh, but I almost forgot. Besides the five guys on the track who have a shot at a cool million, five lucky fans will be riding shotgun so to speak. And one also has a shot at walking down to Victory Lane to pick up the big check.
In case you haven't figured it out, or read this somewhere else, Bobby Labonte, Dale Jarrett, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Matt Kenseth are the five drivers going for the $1 million No Bull Bonus. Here is a few things you may not know about these five I know I'll be keeping a close eye on Saturday night at RIR.
Bobby Labonte
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Here is a story line that's been used more than once 2000 when it comes to the current points leader. Labonte doesn't have a stellar history at a particular race track. Then fast forward to Monday's headlines and Labonte has turned in an awesome run at said racetrack.
Yep, in 2000, you throw out Labonte's past history. He and the 18 team have re-written the
history books, surviving or winning even on historically bad race tracks for the
team. Richmond can be added to this list.
Labonte's never visited Richmond's Victory Lane, but he did finish third or better in two of his last
three visits to the three-quarter-mile palace of speed. So the 18 team could be the wild card.
Plus, Labonte just won the prestigious Southern 500 and increased his
points lead in the process. A couple more Sundays or Saturday nights like
last weekend, and the engraver will start work in mid-October, not November, on that Winston Cup.
Labonte and his team have perfected the "Less mistakes mean more points" strategy. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that's why he's dominating the points race. Kinda like Brittany Spears on the pop charts in
2000. Sorry, just saw her on TV and I lost my train of thought.
Focus, however, hasn't been a problem for Labonte, especially when it comes to writing out
those huge deposit slips this season, is one more in his future? His
teammate won this race a year ago. So, who knows?
Dale Earnhardt
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For the Big E, it could end up being a very good night. If he doesn't pull off the victory in the No. 3, he could still go home a winner as the owner of the No. 8. But more on that car later.
Dale, the driver, has recorded five wins at RIR, but he hasn't seen Victory Lane since a Republican was in the White House. In a seven-race stretch from the fall of 1988 to the spring of '91, the Intimidator finished no worse than third with two victories. Now that is diggin'. Three runner-up finishes, two wins and a third. To quote my good
friend Benny Parsons, "WOW!"
Now comes the misery part. In the past nine Richmond races, Earnhardt has an average finish of 19.3. Now that's not
exceptionally bad, but when you look inside the numbers, five of those nine races saw finishes of 20th or worse, and there were only three top-10s in the bunch.
The good news for his banker? Those three top-10 finishes have come in his last three Richmond races. And Earnhardt has extra motivation on every corner. His chances for an eighth title coming in 2000 are starting to fade. Oh, and did I mention that the kid has beaten his dad when it comes to wins this season? 2 to 1
Pride and not prize money could be the big motivator here, jeez what am I saying? Dude it's a million bucks! Come on, if it came down to it, he'd probably knock the kid's fender off for the money.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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Speaking of Junior, all he did the last time he was in Richmond was win the spring night race. And The Kid is poised for another productive night of points and prize money.
Did I mention family pride? Can you imagine the bragging rights for Little E if he
beats the Big E? Insert BP's famous quote here.
Junior has paved his own path to Richmond's Victory Lane. Two Busch Series wins and a Winston Cup victory on his racing resume. So what if he hit Tony Stewart on pit road last May? His dad took two tires in that race's last pit stop, while everyone else took four. And you know what? Who cares? Bottom line ... he won.
Dale Jr and the 8 team have been on a roller coaster. No, not the same roller coaster that Terry Labonte rode. I'm talking about a Winston Cup roller coaster. Following his victory at Richmond, Junior has only one top-five finish, and an alarming 11 straight finishes outside of the top 10. Another night in Richmond couldn't have come at a better time.
Dale Jarrett
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The third Dale in our $1 million story is Jarrett, who hasn't seen a finish worse than 10th since April. He's second in points, fighting to defend his '99 title, but losing ground to Labonte. To gain ground, he and crew chief Todd Parrott have to look no further than Richmond. They could stand to gain some ground along with some big money at RIR.
Jarrett and Parrott have finished fourth or better, including two victories, in the last 10 Richmond races. His last three
starts in Virginia's capitol? Two thirds and a win.
Jarrett needs to use Richmond and New Hampshire as spring boards toward a run
on Labonte. The old saying time is money couldn't be more true. Time is
starting to run out on Jarrett, with only 10 races left to decide the
title. The first race of the final stretch could help his bank account and
his dreams of a repeat title drive.
Matt Kenseth
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Kenseth is the final lucky individual who could pocket the million George Washingtons. While he's 293 markers behind Jeff Gordon for a seat in New York, more importantly, Little E's best friend needs another win to solidify
himself on top of the rookie standings.
Kenseth scored his first career victory back in May to earn his potential $1 million ticket. But since that magical night in Charlotte, he's ridden the same roller coaster ride as Junior, except his E-ticket ride hasn't been as rocky.
Matt backed up his win with a runner-up at Dover. In the 13 races following
his victory, Kenseth has recorded two top-five finishes and four top 10s. He finished 15th in the spring Richmond run.
So, you think a Kenseth pick may not be a wise one? Well, look back to his JV racing days because you might not want to
pass on Kenseth yet. In six Busch Series starts at Richmond, he's finished
fourth or better four times and finished second in May.
The 17 team could prove to be the dark horse for the big money. Although the finishes haven't shown it, Kenseth has been semi-consistant, and he could start showing more contender material over the final 10 races. With that said, Kenseth is looking at Saturday
night as a big momentum builder for the team, not to mention a big Monday for his banker. | |
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