tamermotorsports.com - Nascar - “Carolina Dodge Dealers 400”

Sterling Marlin, present leader of the championship of pilots, conquered a fascinating victory in edition 2002 of “The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400”, disputed in the historical oval of Darlington. Marlin made main honor to the sponsor of the race, Dodge, after winning with a Intrepid of the mark after to have started off last, by to have changed its impeller before the race.
The note of the day was signed by a spectacular accident in the return 39, that involved eleven cars. The incident happened when the author of pole, Ricky Craven, circulated behind Steve Park. When Craven tried to surpass it, both were touched bringing about a gigantic cannon. Stacy Compton when trying to avoid the accident finished against the wall. Behind the true chaos. Several cars began to pile up themselves to each other, without chances to leave undamaged the accident. Between the involved pilots they were Mark Martin, Kurt Busch, Ward Burton, Jimmy Spencer and Tony Stewart. This last one was the one who underwent physical consequences after the violent blow. Stewart was transferred in helicopter until the nearest hospital, where the doctors verified that only he underwent a strong emotional shock. The pilot of Pontiac recovers favorably.
Returning to the race, Marlin was favored by this accident winning several positions and most important, it was able to avoid it. Marlin, with 544 races in Nascar, applied to all their skill and experience to be windy from the complicated situation. Once recovered, Marlin began to press until surpassing to the leader Dale Earnhardt Jr, in return 251 of 293.
“In the practices I verified Yesterday that tapeworm a car with very good potential”, said Marlin, “Tony (Glover, team to manager) reviewed the motor and found a fault, reason why we decided to change it not to run risks in race”, adding, “it takes the time Me necessary to advance and not to risk more of the account. My car is very good in races long play”. With respect to the accident, Marlin said: “It was pure luck. I hope that all are well after the incident. I was following Gordon and saw that he could avoid to the other cars and decided to imitate his maneuver”, ended up saying.
With this result, Marlin added his second victory of the season and is the comfortable leader of the championship of pilots with 825 points. 99 more than its nearer rival, Ryan Newman.
Elliot Sadler finished second by second you see in this season with a Ford Taurus. Sadler started off sixth and it stayed most of in the Top10 during the race. On the end, Sadler tried to go to fight the victory to him to Marlin but their tires were not in optimum conditions. “On the end we lost just a little bit”, adding, “It tries to reach it (Marlin) but every time lost more and more. For a moment I feared with the tires would not resist, since the back part of my car did not behave well”.
Kevin Harvick Jr concluded third party with a Chevrolet Montecar it. Surprising this mark follows without winning in this season. Something that is peculiar and difficult to include/understand. “It was a very exciting race on the end. It only escapes of the wall in a single opportunity, which is not bad in a race of 400 miles”, Harvick Jr commented.
The next race of Nascar will be the 24 of March in Bristol to dispute the “Food City 500”.

To see result of the race