Charlotte


© Thomas M. Sampson
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May 31, 1999


This Memorial Day marked the 79th Winston Cup race at Charlotte. The track, located 12 miles north of Charlotte at Concord, NC near the University of North Carolina Charlotte, has been a big favorite of drivers and fans alike since it opened in 1960.

Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip have the distinction of being tied for six wins at Charlotte. Dale Earnhardt is the only driver in the five win column. David Pearson, Buddy Baker, Fred Lorenzen, and Richard Petty won four times. Donnie Allison, Cale Yarborough, Lee Roy Yarborough, Dale Jarrett, Jeff Gordon, and Mark Martin all have the distinction of winning three times on the historic track.

The drivers draw for qualifying, and this year the ones that drew an early time when the track was still hot from the sun didn't fare so well. When it cooled down and the track got less slick, there were some blistering times set, including the record pole time set by Bobby Labonte.

Tony Stewart managed to achieve his goal by placing ninth in the Indy 500 at Indianapolis, Indiana, then flew to Charlotte and raced six hundred more miles, placing forth in the CocaCola 600. He admitted that he made a huge mistake, by not taking the proper nourishment. After about 75 laps into the CC 600, he became de-hydrated and weak. During the ensuing cautions he was fed power bars and Gatoraid to help him maintain his physical stability to finish the race. He was taken from the car by his crew because he was too weak to get out of it, then taken to the infield care center by ambulance for treatment and observation.

Jeff Burton won the race, and the No Bull Winston Million, for a total of $1,212,500.00. This was Burtons third win this season, and the eighth of his career. It was also his biggest payday ever in Winston Cup racing. The players for the next No Bull Million race are Jeff Burton, Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, and Dale Jarrett, finishing in the top five respectively. This was Jeff Burton's first Charlotte win.

Next weekend, the show moves to Dover Downs International Speedway at 12:30 PM EST, and will be televised live on TNN. Last years MBNA Platinum 400 was won by Dale Jarrett, with Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, and Mark Martin right behind him.




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