NASCAR BGN Series Lysol 200 Report -- #34, Mike McLaughlin
1 July 1997
#34 Mike McLaughlin, Royal Oak Charcoal Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division Lysol 200 Watkins Glen International MIKE McLAUGHLIN'S LYSOL 200 AT WATKINS GLEN RACEWAY POST RACE NOTES WATKINS GLEN - NY - Mike McLaughlin's third career NASCAR Busch Series win occurred Sunday, June 29, 1997 at Watkins Glen Raceway. His first victory was at Dover Downs International Speedway on June 3, 1995. His second victory occurred earlier this season at New Hampshire International Speedway on May 10, 1997. * "This is absolutely awesome," McLaughlin cheered out in victory lane. "This is my second win with Royal Oak Charcoal as my sponsor. Winning in front of family, friends and my home crowd is incredible. It doesn't get any better than this. We won today on strategy because we didn't have the fastest car on the track. Gary Cogswell made the call to pit before everyone else and my crew did a great job. In the end I saw Todd coming up behind me, but I felt that my car was faster than his. I was not worried about being low on fuel because my crew said that we could definitely go all the way. They are the ones responsible for winning this race today. I want to thank Team 34 Racing owners Frank Cicci, Scott Welliver, Jeff Welliver, and John Gittler." * Mike McLaughlin has three top-five finishes at Watkins Glen Raceway while competing in the NASCAR Busch Series: Mike McLaughlin's Watkins Glen Results Date St Fin LC/TL Status $Won 6/29/97 6 1 82/82 Running 36,987 6/30/96 10 3 82/82 Running 12,585 6/25/95 2 4 82/82 Running 9,780 6/25/94 19 19 61/62 Running 4,531 * Mike McLaughlin won the MCI Fast Pace Award for the fastest lap led during the race on Sunday. He also came away with the Goodys' Extra Strength Power Award for winning the 1997 Lysol 200. * Mike McLaughlin is the first NASCAR Busch Series regular to win at Watkins Glen Raceway. McLaughlin is also the first NASCAR Busch Series regular to win on a road course. * Mike McLaughlin's average speed of 90.225 mph set a track record for Busch races held at Watkins Glen Raceway in seven years. * Mike McLaughlin advanced to sixth in point standings by winning this past weekend. He was previously tenth. Mike McLaughlin's Career NASCAR Busch Series Statistic Starts Poles Wins Top 5 Top 10 $Won 115 2 3 24 42 1,096,089 MIKE McLAUGHLIN/TEAM 34 1997 NASCAR Busch Series Results % Laps Date Location St Fin LC/TL Compl. $Won Status 2/15 Daytona Bch, FL 2 33 81/120 67.5 16,412 Engine 2/22 Rockingham, NC 4 8 197/197 100.0 9,260 Running 3/1 Richmond, VA 7 27 245/250 98.0 8,126 Running 3/12 Atlanta, GA 25 17 196/197 99.4 10,355 Running 3/16 Las Vegas, NV 14 24 194/200 97.0 16,550 Running 3/22 Darlington, SC 25 33 134/147 91.1 6,825 Running 3/29 Hickory, NC 20 10 300/300 100.0 8,945 Running 4/5 Ft. Worth, TX 11 5 200/200 100.0 32,025 Running 4/12 Bristol, TN 2 2 250/250 100.0 25,010 Running 4/19 Nashville, TN 1 13 320/320 100.0 7,775 Running 4/26 Talladega, AL 5 35 57/117 48.7 9,780 Running 5/10 Loudon, NH 12 1 200/200 100.0 34,150 Running 5/18 Nazareth, PA 19 8 200/200 100.0 8,262 Running 5/24 Charlotte, NC 30 33 131/200 65.5 6,737 Running 5/31 Dover, DE 22 23 197/200 98.5 8,800 Running 6/13 S. Boston, VA 15 8 300/300 100.0 8,090 Running 6/29 Watkins Glen, NY 6 1 82/82 100.0 36,987 Running Outside Starts Poles Poles Wins Top 5 Top 10 LC/TL (%) $Won 17 1 2 2 4 8 3284/3480 (94.4) 254,089 By Events & Outings