NASCAR Winston Cup Brickyard 400 Preview -- #3, Dale Earnhardt
29 July 1997
#3 Dale Earnhardt, GM Goodwrench Service Plus Chevrolet Monte Carlo
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Brickyard 400 Advance
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
EARNHARDT REACHES 30 MILLION DOLLAR MARK
AS HE PREPARES TO DEFEND BRICKYARD TITLE
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Dale Earnhardt is the first to reach the $30
million plateau in all-time career winnings. He went over the mark
with winnings of $40,000 in the International Race of Champions, along
with the $29,490 from the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway.
- Earnhardt and the RCR/GM Goodwrench Service Plus team have already
gone to victory lane in NASCAR's short history at the famous
speedway. They won the 1995 Brickyard 400, after starting the
rain-delayed event from the 13th starting position.
- GM Goodwrench Service Plus crew chief Larry McReynolds went to
victory lane as the team manager for Dale Jarrett in last year's
event. He also was the crew chief on the No. 28 car for the inaugural
when it dominated the event until cutting a tire in the final stages
of the event. Between McReynolds and RCR together they are two out of
three when it comes to the Brickyard.
- With a broken collar bone and sternum from a crash the previous
Sunday, Dale Earnhardt qualified 12th for the 1996 Brickyard
400. After six laps of green flag racing a caution came out. Earnhardt
made the hardest trip down pit road of his career. It was then that he
climbed out of his Monte Carlo and relief driver Mike Skinner finished
the event in 15th position for the seven time champion.
- The No. 3 GM Goodwrench Service Plus team have led at least one lap
in all three Winston Cup events held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
- Dale Earnhardt and the GM Goodwrench Service Plus team hold the
race speed record for a Winston Cup event at IMS. Earnhardt completed
the 400-mile event with a record of 155.206 mph, 2 hours, 34 minutes
and 38 seconds, on August 5th, 1995.
QUOTES:
"It would be great to leave Indy as the only two time winner,"
remarked Earnhardt. "With the broken bones last year, we never had a
chance to try to get back-to-back wins, this will be our year to come
back and get into victory lane. Larry and the guys have done their
homework and I feel we are more than ready to make a run at it.
"Last year we came here injured and couldn't give a 100% effort i n
defending our win from the year before. It took a lot for me to get
out of that race car, probably one of the toughest things I've had to
do in my racing career.
"Being a past winner of the Brickyard and having my name on the list
of winners at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a tremendous honor for
any race car driver, open wheel or stock car, to win here is an
unforgettable moment in your career," said Earnhardt.
"We had some really good test sessions this month," said
Childress. "Larry has done a great job getting this team prepared for
the races. We've had enough time to look back and see what we'll need
to bring back with us this week. Our chances of returning to victory
lane are very good, last year we didn't have a chance to defend the
title, so this time Jarrett and Earnhardt both return and attempt to
win back-to-back titles at the Brickyard. Let's hope it's the right
Dale."
"We've gotten through the tough part of the season," remarked Larry
McReynolds. "Getting ready for the summer stretch and especially for
the Brickyard everyone in the shop wants to repeat what they did here
in 1995. The feeling I get is that they have something to prove and I
have to agree with them. Our chances are pretty good. Testing went
very well and we learned a little about what to expect. Hopefully,
this will be the place to get the GM Goodwrench Service team back into
victory lane."
By Champion Sports Group
