Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 6, 1994 TAG: 9403060054
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The 1989 Grand National champion, who is making the switch this season to NASCAR's Winston Cup series, led twice for 147 of the 250 laps, including the final 60 trips around the .75-mile oval.
"We had a pretty dominant car," said Nemechek, who picked up his third career Grand National victory and first since the New Hampshire race in August of 1992. "When we unloaded off the truck, we were fast. That's the way the race went. It went my way."
Nemechek also will race at Richmond today in the Pontiac Excitement 400 Winston Cup event.
"The biggest thing I learned today is that you've got to be real patient," he said. "You've got to really finesse the gas pedal. Once the tires start giving up, if you've abused the front or the rear, you're in trouble."
Several of the top cars lost a lap when a caution flag came out on lap 181, shortly after they had made green-flag pit stops. Only Nemechek and runner-up Kenny Wallace, who finished 1.17 seconds behind, were on the lead lap at the end.
Harry Gant, who was second to Terry Labonte a week earlier at Rockingham, N.C., was third this time, a lap down. He was followed by Elton Sawyer, Hermie Sadler and Labonte.
"We had a darn good car," Gant said. "In fact, it was so good, it about drove itself. I don't really know yet how we got a lap down. Something or somebody messed up in scoring, I think. But I still think we were on the lead lap with the other two cars [at the end]."
Nemechek, who earned $17,021, averaged 91.253 mph in the race slowed by five caution flags for a total of 43 laps. There were several accidents but no injuries reported.
Nemechek's Chevrolet was on Hoosier tires, giving the small Indiana tire company its first victory this season in its battle with industry giant Goodyear.
"The key was getting the right setup on the car," said Nemechek, who also was Hoosier's top qualifier for today's race. "Hoosier brought an awesome tire here. I'm glad I'm the first one to put 'em in victory lane in '94. Hopefully, we can do it some more."
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB