Henry's Darlington rumblings 97-08-31

RUMBLINGS -- DARLINGTON

Well, Million Dollar Jeff may not have the same ring to it, but it's worth the same amount of money. For years, Gordon's detractors have said he wins because he's in the best equipment...well, that certainly wasn't the case today. But, if there was one thing he had today that was the best, it was Ray Evernham and the #24 team. They changed that car more times than Cher makes costume changes...and, as usual, they always seem to hit the right combination.

Today was career victory #28 for Gordon, moving him into a 17th place tie on the all-time list with Rex White. Win #9 of 1997 also gives Jeff 4 wins in the last 5 events at Darlington Raceway, and he became the first driver to win 3 Southern 500's in a row.

FWIW, Gordon's part of the purse (not counting the $Million$) was $131K...including the $30K for winning the race as well as being the points leader (Winston Cup Leader Bonus). Next week at RIR, the Unocal Bonus will be worth $98,800.

Every race produces some answers...one we learned today was that if Evernham wants to change careers, he 's got a future in weather forecasting (G). But, this race also raised a couple of distubing questions:

1) How could Richard Childress allow Dale Earnhardt to get into his car if he was "groggy" before the race?

2) How could NASCAR allow a rookie (who'd never been in a WC event before, no less) to relief drive when he hadn't even practiced the car? Now, I know all about the famous "EIRI" that NASCAR uses as their catch-all, but the only thing I see "rare" about this "instance" is that it involved the 3 car. If Mike Dillon practiced the car, this was certainly a well-kept secret.

Inquiring minds....you know (G).

One nice new innovation from the gang at ESPN....love those yellow arrows & numbers on your speed charts. Sometimes, it's the little things....

Wish there'd been a camera around when the Parrott "Family Feud" erupted! Betcha that would have be fun to show around the dinner table this Thanksgiving (G).

The old axiom "No news is good news" has never applied to race fans....whether they're in the stands or in front of the TV. We'd rather hear there's nothing to report on a driver (like Earnhardt today) than nothing at all.....Silence is not always golden.

STREAKIN....Dale Jarrett has 5 Top-5's in the last 6 races. Bill Elliott has 6 Top-10's in the last 7 races. Terry Labonte has 4 Top-10's in a row. Mark Martin has 7 Top-10's in a row, and 16 in the last 17 races.

Chad Little (11th) had his best finish since Bristol in April. Brett Bodine (15th) had his best finish since Sears Point in May. Gary Bradberry (25th) had his best finish since Talladega in July of 1996.

  This Weeks Elevator....UP:  Operator of the week is Chad Little (+26), and
Bobby Hamilton (+20).  DOWN:  The Big Dropper is Sterling Marlin (-31), and
Ernie Irvan (-23).  Not much activity this week.

Other than the obvious change at the top of the point standings this week, the only other multi position moves were droppers....Ted Musgrave fell 2 spots (8th to 10th), and Mike Skinner fell 2 spots (26th to 28th).

Next week it's on to Richmond International Raceway and the newly re-named Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400 (isn't that a mouthful <G>). Get ready for glowing brake rotors, as well as the usual short-track pushing & shoving. It's also a smorgasbord for race fans...Craftsman Trucks on Thursday Nite, Busch Series on Friday Nite, and the Cup race on Saturday Nite. And Benny thought he knew a good Buffet (G).

Henry Dubret (henry@nascarfans.com) NASCAR Fans _______________________________________ NASCAR Fans Website http://www.nascarfans.com

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