Race Report

track reporting by Speed


BOB WINS #SIX FOR THE YEAR !

Pocono Raceway - 7/20/2001 - Temp Report - The race started with Bob on the outside pole position, and "Front Row Stenzo" who is always a dominant force at this track having some problems. Stenzo with a surprisingly bad qualifying run and would have to start in 21st position. Stenzo would have to work his way to the front. But as Stenzo was racing to the front, He would get loose in turn three and fall from 16th place back to 28th on lap 2. Then on lap 3 things would get worse for Stenzo as he taps the #5 car and hits the outside wall. This would bring out the first caution of the day.

Under this yellow Speed complaining of a loose car would give up 7th place to pit with Coyote who was running in 16th place at the time. As they go back to green Coyote would run up on Speed's bumper and do a 360" with Stenzo barely missing him. Coyote would make a great save and go on, without any damage to the car. Coyote now in 30th place and 11 seconds back from Bob who was the race leader would now have a long climb back to the front.

Then on lap 10 Stenzo would get into the #25 car in the tunnel turn, bring out the 2nd caution of the day. This caution would allow Coyote to get back up with the pack. Under this yellow on lap 12 Stenzo and Coyote would pit. Stenzo would pit again on lap 22 under green to fix some damage. He would also pit again on lap 27 and lose another lap to the leaders.

On lap 29 the #18 car cuts down on the #43 car bring out caution #3. Everyone comes in to pit but Speed who stays out to lead a lap and pits the next time around. Bob and Coyote would restart with Coyote in 3rd and Bob in 5th. Speed had to start in 20th place and would have to fight his way back up to the front after leading his lap under yellow. This would prove to be a mistake by his crew chief, as the race would go green until the last lap. Speed who had worked this way up to 4th place started losing positions because of the wear he had put on his tires. Speed running in 7th now on the last lap would hit the #12 car and spin out, falling back to 19th place. This would be Speed worse finish of this year.

On this long green run Stenzo would blow his engine. Coyote would lead until lap 50 when Bob would take over the lead (as seen above) and go on to win his sixth race of the season. Jay car would finish in 2nd and Coyote in 3rd.