Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 23, 1993 TAG: 9308230047
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LOUDON, N.H. LENGTH: Medium
Pressley, who started third, took the lead from Tommy Houston on lap 221, then held on as Nemechek moved through the pack after pitting to repair a rear- end cooling belt.
The margin of victory was .75 seconds and the average speed was 89.560 mph.
"This was probably the easiest race we've run here," said Pressley, who finished second in last year's race. "The car just drove by itself."
Nemechek, who set a qualifying record at the 1.058-mile track with a lap that averaged 124.875 mph, felt his car and Pressley's were about even.
"We probably needed another 30 laps to catch him," he said. "He did what he had to do."
Bobby Dotter, driving a Chevrolet, finished third, followed by Grand National points leader Steve Grissom in a Chevrolet and Houston in a Ford.
Five-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt started seventh, but collided with rookie Hermie Sadler between turns one and two on the first lap and suffered steering damage. He dropped out after 36 laps.
Since the track opened in 1990, no Winston Cup racer has won a Grand National race at New Hampshire. The best finish among the four Winston Cuppers in Sunday's race was Bill Elliott, who came in 15th.
Winston Cup racer Terry Labonte, who started second, had steering problems and completed only 155 laps. Hut Stricklin had engine problems and dropped out after 38 laps.
By the end, only six cars were on the lead lap, and 25 of the 44 cars that started still were running.
Grissom's fourth-place finish allowed him to keep the points lead. David Green, who finished ninth, held on to second, while Pressley remained third and Nemechek moved into fourth.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB