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NASCAR BGN Lysol 200 Report -- #88, Kevin Lepage

2 July 1997

 #88 Kevin Lepage, Hype Chevrolet Monte Carlo
 NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division
 Lysol 200 
 Watkins Glen International
 
                  LEPAGE ACHIEVES GOAL FOR WGI

 
WATKINS GLEN, NY - Kevin Lepage and the Ridling Motorsports Team came away 
from the NASCAR Busch Grand National Lysol 200 at Watkins Glen with a 12th 
place finish. "We did what we set out to accomplish this weekend," commented 
Lepage after the race. "We wanted to finish on the lead lap and bring the #88 
HYPE/Ryder Driver Recruiting Chevrolet Monte Carlo home in one piece. We did 
that and we moved up in points. We are now tied with Mike McLaughlin for 6th 
place. We are just 25 points behind Buckshot (Jones) who is in 5th place."

Watkins Glen International used the European Style Qualifying to set the 
field for the 82 lap race around the 2.45 mile road course. The forty-seven 
cars on hand were divided into eight groups for qualifying. Lepage posted a 
fast lap of 1:17.531 (113.761 mph). Joe Nemechek set a new track record for 
the BGN series with a time of 1:15.951 (116.128 mph). Lepage's time placed 
the #88 HYPE/Ryder Driver Recruiting Chevrolet Monte Carlo 14th on the 
starting grid.

Lepage had been running as high at 8th during the race, but had a jack 
problem during a pit stop. "That put us behind a little," said Crew Chief C. 
R. Miller. "But Kevin did a great job out there. He stayed out of trouble on 
the track which will make it easier on the guys when we get back to the shop."

The next stop on the NASCAR BGN schedule is in Milwaukee for the Sears Auto 
Center 250 on Sunday, July 6. "We have done fairly well at Milwaukee in the 
past," stated Lepage. "Last year we finished 12th. This year our plan is to 
finish in the top-10. I think we can realistically have a top-5 finish this 
year."

Lepage, along with several other NASCAR BGN and Craftsman Truck series 
drivers, will sign autographs at the Solid Gold McDonald's in Greenfield, WI 
on Friday, July 4, from 6 until 8 p.m.

By Ridling Motorsports Public Relations