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NASCAR BGN Series MBNA 200 Report: #99, Glen Allen

23 September 1997

 #99 Glenn Allen, Luxaire Chevrolet Monte Carlo
 NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division
 MBNA 200 Report
 Dover Downs International Speedway
 September 20, 1997

             ALLEN BRINGS HOME A SOLID 8TH PLACE FINISH IN DOVER


DOVER, DE - Luxaire driver Glenn Allen displayed his racing talents
for all to see in the MBNA 200 here Saturday afternoon.  Allen
overcame many obstacles enroute to an 8th place finish at "The Monster
Mile". Without the services of two recently released crew members and
a pit crew together for the first time, Allen steered clear of two
large wrecks to record the solid finish.

Allen began the weekend with a strong car throughout practice on
Friday morning. The team made a change just before qualifying to the
car hoping to obtain even more speed. Unfortunately the car slowed a
little bit and Allen recorded the 25th fastest time during qualifying.

During the final practice on Friday afternoon, Crew Chief John Monsam
made one more change and Allen knew after one lap of practice he had
made the right change, the car was both fast and smooth.

During the first half of the race, Allen drove from the 25th position
up into the top ten. Just 10 laps after his first pit stop, Allen
would have to come back to the pits for another stop. While steering
around an 8 car accident on the front stretch, Allen flat-spotted his
Goodyear tires and needed new ones.  While track cleanup was going on,
Allen came to the pits and returned to the track in 22nd place. Over
the last half of the race, Allen would fight his way back to the front
and settle into 8th place. Allen fought hard over the last ten laps
for more positions but settled for eighth as the checkered flag
signaled the end of the race.

"I have to give a bunch of credit to the guys on this Luxaire Racing
Team," Allen said. "The guys hung in there all week and did a great
job giving me a solid race car and they were terrific in the pits all
afternoon."

"For the first time in 4 trips here, I got a full night of sleep,"
Allen said.  "When I woke up Saturday morning, I knew we were going to
have a great day."
 
Joe Bessey held off Randy Lajoie to claim the victory. Seven caution
flags for 41 laps held the average speed to 94.912 mph.

Allen and the Luxaire Racing Team will spend Thursday testing for the
next race in Charlotte on October 4th.

"This race was a great boost of confidence for the test and the race
in two weeks," Allen said. "I know with John and the guys on the team,
I will have the best car I have ever had at Charlotte."

By Luxaire Racing Public Relations