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NASCAR Winston Cup Series Mountain Dew 500 Report: #88, Kevin Lepage

2 September 1997

 #88 Kevin Lepage, TBA/Ryder Driver Recruiting Chevrolet Monte Carlo
 NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division
 Dura-Lube 200 Presented by Trak Auto Race Report
 Darlington Raceway
 August 30, 1997

                      LEPAGE REMAINS 10TH IN POINTS

 
DARLINGTON, SC - Kevin Lepage and the Ridling Motor Sports Team were hoping 
to back up their 12th place starting position with another top-ten finish in 
the Dura-Lube 200 at Darlington Raceway Saturday. However, handling problems 
left Lepage and the #88 TBA/Ryder Driver Recruiting Chevrolet Monte Carlo 
with a disappointing 20th place finish in the 24th event of the NASCAR Busch 
Grand National 30 race schedule.

Lepage posted a fast lap time of 30.346 seconds (162.051 mph) to start on the 
outside of row six. Pole sitter Mark Martin managed to get around 
Darlington's 1.366 mile oval in 30.032 seconds (163.745 mph).

"This is a good qualifying run here at Darlington," commented Lepage. "The 
crew knows how important it is to start near the front. You never know what 
will happen at this track. The guys did a great job for me."

Lepage ran as high as 8th during the early stages of the race, but handling 
problems developed during the last half of the race. "We didn't finish as 
high as we would have liked," stated Lepage after the race. "But we are still 
10th in driver positions. We have a chance to move up before the banquet. One 
thing about this team, they never give up."

Lepage has 2723 points, just 30 points behind 9th place Tim Fedewa. Mike 
McLaughlin is currently in 5th place with 2908 points.

By Ridling Motor Sports Public Relations