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Pocono, Race 15


Prelude to Pocono, crowded garage areas, and the Pocono 500 from Long Pond, PA.





Prelude To Pocono........... First Third of Season

With the first part of the season in the books, some of our star drivers are in a dry spell. The first to come to mind is Mark Martin . After his operation at the end of last season, he's racing this year without the nagging, sometimes severe, pain in his back. He hasn't had much luck. On the other hand, Dale Earnhardt is also racing painless after his back operation, and he's a leading championship contender in 2nd place with 2,018 points. Mark has one win (Martinsville) included in three top fives and seven top ten finishes with 1,798 points . Dale has one win (Atlanta) included in six top fives and eleven top ten finishes. There's still plenty of time for Mark to get his act together and start working his way up from 9th place.

Another star having a disappointing start is Jeff Gordon . Jeff is 10th in points with 1,732, one win (Talladega) included in two top fives and seven top ten finishes. The 1600 point range includes four drivers starting with rookie Matt Kenseth in 11th, leading the pack with 1,676. Terry Labonte is also knocking on the door in 12th place, followed by Mike Skinner and Bill Elliott . Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits alone in the 1500 point range in 15th place.

The rookie battle is far from being over. Coming into Pocono, Matt Kenseth is leading with 184 points, ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. with 169 points. Although Dale Jr. has won two races, he's had some dismal finishes. Matt, also with some dismal finishes, has won one race and has been slightly more consistent. Stacy Compton is 3rd with 116 points, Dave Blaney is 4th with 112, and Scott Pruitt is 5th with 93.





Crowded Garage Areas.......... Too Many Fans?

The   Winston Cup Scene   has an article in last week's issue written by Jeff Owens, entitled "To Fan-Friendly," with the by-line "Fans In The Garage." It seems that the amount of fans that manage to get garage passes has grown out of proportion. The team sponsors hand out hundreds of them to their business outlets in the areas where the races are held. A friend of mine has a son who owns an auto parts store. He gets at least two garage passes and race tickets every year to both Pocono races. The parts store chain he's associated with sponsors a Cup racecar.
The copyright of the article Pocono, Race 15 in NASCAR is owned by Thomas M. Sampson. Permission to republish Pocono, Race 15 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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