NASCAR BGN Series Jiffy Lube Miami 300 Report: #88, Kevin Schwantz
11 November 1997
#88 Kevin Schwantz, Ryder Driver Recruiting Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division Jiffy Lube Miami 300 Race Report Metro-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex November 9, 1997 SCHWANTZ LEADS 39 LAPS ON WAY TO FIRST BGN TOP-10 FINISH HOMESTEAD, FL - Kevin Schwantz, driving the #88 Ryder Driver Recruiting Chevrolet Monte Carlo, posted his first top-10 NASCAR Busch Grand National finish at the Jiffy Lube Miami 300 on Sunday. Schwantz, who lead 39 of the 200-lap event around the newly reconfigured 1.5-mile Homestead Motorsports Complex oval, finished eighth, his best finish in four NASCAR BGN starts. After starting 17th, Schwantz had maneuvered the #88 Ryder Chevrolet into 10th place by lap 12. Choosing to take advantage of track position, the Ridling Motorsports team decided to gamble on pit stops early in the race. While most of the field pitted after the third of six cautions came out on lap 38, Crew Chief C.R. Miller opted to stay out hoping for another caution period closer to the calculated fuel mileage window. Staying on the track allowed Schwantz to take the lead on lap 51. However, the much needed caution did not come, so Schwantz was forced to pit under green for tires and fuel on lap 90. Schwantz returned to the field one lap down in 31st position. "We were looking for another caution period so we could pit, but by lap 90, we had to come in for fuel," commented Miller after the race. "Kevin was running so well out there. I knew if we could get him on new tires, he would be unbeatable. We brought back 'Red Rock,' the car we won with last year. I was looking for another visit to Homestead's victory lane." With new tires, Schwantz charged back on the lead lap by lap 138. Just as eventual race winner Joe Nemechek, Greg Sacks and Schwantz were exiting turn 3 on lap 139, Sacks darted between Nemechek and Schwantz. Schwantz was unable to check up and tagged Sacks, sending both spinning for the fifth caution of the day. "I had nowhere to go," said Schwantz. "If I had checked up, there would have been a big mess as close as we were all running." Schwantz suffered cosmetic damage, but it was enough to keep him from winning the race. "I'm disappointed of course," stated Schwantz after the race. "We had a top-three car at the very least. I think we could have won today. But eighth is good, especially here in the Miami area which is Ryder's headquarters. The crew did a great job all weekend. They knew they had a good car and they gave me the confidence and support I needed. I'm really looking forward to working with this team over the winter and next year." By Ridling Motorsports