Post by Dalearnhardt3EZ on Jun 1, 2004 23:03:19 GMT -6
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- As an experienced race car driver, I feel confident in my ability to control most situations on the racetrack.
The one thing no one can control, however, is the weather. That's what threw a huge wrench into my plans to race in Sunday's Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte.
I did compete in both, but it was a very frustrating situation. Especially at Indy, where rain delayed the start by over two hours, and then another storm brought out the red flag after just 27 of the scheduled 200 laps. That ended my 10th attempt to win racing's biggest prize, with my Meijer/Coca-Cola Dallara-Chevrolet stuck in 16th place.
As was proven again Sunday, the Indy 500 may well be the world's most unpredictable sports event. When the rain began midmorning, I knew the detailed planning we had done over many months to enable me to do the "Double," was out the window.
It quickly became obvious that, if the race started, I would have to get out of the car before the checkered flag in order to fulfill my obligation to drive the Cingular Wireless Chevy for Richard Childress. I had made it clear all along that the Nextel Cup race was my top priority.
I had asked IRL race winner Jaques Lazier to be on standby, just in case something like this occurred. When Rupert of the "Survivor" TV show stopped by my garage, though, I joked that he should be my backup -- but I think we would have had to stitch two of my uniforms together to fit him!
My plan was to gain as many positions on the first lap as possible. Mission accomplished. I went from 18th to 10th and have to admit that was a pretty cool lap.
When team manager Thomas Knapp came on the radio and said, "It's 1:25 and rain is only a few minutes away," I'm pretty sure I smiled inside my helmet. I guess I was the only person in the city who wanted a downpour. But at that point, I was about 80 minutes from having to pit and turn a good race car over to Jaques.
Even though we lost several positions during our first pit stop, I told my crew, "I know we're much better" than a number of cars ahead of us.
When the race was stopped, I immediately headed for the helicopter that would take me to the Indy airport and the fast Citation X jet waiting for the 600-mile flight to Charlotte. I felt sure the race would resume Monday, allowing me the opportunity to come back and finish the job. Much to my surprise -- and chagrin -- the weather abruptly changed and they got going again.
Jaques took over and became the first relief driver at Indy since 1977. As I expected, he did great, but a broken axle ended the day before the race was half over and our combined effort produced just 29th place.
Meanwhile, I arrived at Lowe's Motor Speedway about 45 minutes before the green flag. Although I qualified 20th, I had to fall to the back, because I didn't get there in time for the drivers' meeting.
Even so, I passed 11 cars in about 30 laps, which didn't surprise me since we were fifth fastest in Saturday's practice. I had handling problems after that promising start, however, and finished a disappointing 20th.
I'm sure people are wondering if my Marathon May -- a total of eight races -- was worth the tremendous investment of time and effort. Yes, it was. I was competitive and had a lot of fun.
I'd love to do the "Double" again next year, but there's a possibility Indy will move its traditional starting time of 11 a.m. back a couple of hours, to increase the TV audience. That would prevent me, or any other NASCAR driver, from coming back. I hope that doesn't happen, because I honestly believe the fans enjoy seeing us take on the unbelievable challenge that is the Indianapolis 500.
Almost as much as I do.
Credit : NASCAR.Com