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NASCAR Busch North Series Preview: Dodge Dealers 200K

16 October 1997

NASCAR Busch Series North, Grand National Division
Dodge Dealers 200K Advance
Lime Rock Park

LAKEVILLE, CT - For the fifth straight year, the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand 
National Division carries its championship battle into the rolling hills of 
Western Connecticut with the running of the Dodge Dealers 200K at Lime Rock 
Park in Lakeville on Saturday, October 18. 

Dave Dion of Hudson, N.H. came into last year's final round with a need to 
finish in the top-20 in order to sew up the championship. Dion is a player 
again this year, but his is in third, chasing Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I. 
for the title. 

While Dion led the season standings on a few occasions, Stefanik was the 
leader at the halfway mark, and he carries a 61 point lead (2895-2834) over 
second-place runner Jerry Marquis of Broad Brook, Conn. and a 75-point lead 
(2895-2820) over Dion into the final round. 

While virtually anything can happen among the top-three in this event, 
Stefanik needs only to finish 14th or better to sew u the 1997 title. 

If Stefanik were to finish 15th (118) points and Marquis were to win (180) 
points, Marquis would capture the crown by a single point. Dion needs 
Stefanik to finish 20th (103 points) or worse in order to have a chance at a 
repeat championship. 

Of course there are a number of other possibilities that are possible based 
on NASCAR points. 

Tracy Gordon of Strong, Me. has pretty much wrapped up the Raybestos Rookie 
of the Year ride, but Tom Carey of Orange, Mass., and Dennis Demers of 
Shelburne, Vt. are still battling to determine the runner-up position which 
will pay $1,000 at the annual awards banquet. 

As usual, a number of road racing specialists are expected to enter this 
event, but the NASCAR Busch North regulars have steadily gained experience on 
the road courses, and road course specialists will find the NASCAR Busch 
North field a tough one to crack. 

The natural color of the foliage in the hills surrounding the track will make 
a dynamic backdrop for the dynamic color on the track in the Dodge Dealers 
200K. 


By NASCAR Public Relations