NASCAR Winston Cup Series Suzuka Thunder 100 Preview: #2, Rusty Wallace
19 November 1997
#2 Rusty Wallace, Miller Lite Ford Thunderbird NASCAR Winston Cup Series NASCAR Thunder Special-Suzuka Advance Suzuka Circuitland DEFENDING SUZUKA THUNDER "100" CHAMP WALLACE EAGER TO DEFEND HIS CROWN SUZUKA CITY, JAPAN - Last year's Suzuka Thunder "100" champion Rusty Wallace welcomes the opportunity to defend his crown in the Nov. 23 race at Suzuka Circuitland, but he is quick to point out that it will not be an easy task. "We're really looking forward to our return to Suzuka and our attempt to make it two (wins) in-a-row," said Wallace, who drove his Miller Special Ford Thunderbird from the pole position to an impressive win in last year's inaugural visit to the Orient by the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit. "The competition will be even greater this year so we all know that it will be a tough measure to accomplish. "The format will be different this year as everything will be done straight up, so to speak," added Wallace. "That will definitely put the demand on performance all the way around." Unlike in last year's Suzuka Thunder "100" when qualifying featured three laps with a pit stop sandwiched in between, this year's starting field will be determined by single-lap time trial runs. This year's race will see 100 laps of all-out racing, instead of the twin-50-lap segments and inversion format used last year. "We'll have to be extra-sharp and on top of things from the moment we get there if we're to take the winner's trophy home again this time around," said Wallace. "Qualifying will be extremely important this time, especially from the standpoint of where you start relative to track position from the beginning of the race. It's so difficult to pass on the track that getting a good starting spot will almost be a necessity in order to win. "Since there is no half-way break, the pit crew better be on top of their game. A lightning-fast stop could pick up spots and give you the track position that could be the difference between winning the race or not." Wallace led on two occasions for 84 of the 100 laps en route to the impressive win in last year's race. He emerged with a 1.192-second margin of victory over runner-up Dale Earnhardt. "That will be a tough act to follow, that's for sure," said Wallace. "But, we know that we'll be up for the task. Inasmuch as defending our title is our ultimate goal during the return trip to Suzuka, we also hope to spread the exposure of our great sport to even more race fans. "Of course our trip last year was highlighted with our success on the race track, but we also had a very enjoyable and entertaining journey along the way. The Japanese fans were so enthusiastic about and appreciative of NASCAR being there that it really impressed all of us. Their hospitality was second to none and we're really looking forward to bringing our brand of racing back to them for the second time around." The Suzuka schedule of events calls for practice on Friday, Nov. 21, and qualifying on Saturday, Nov. 22. The 100-lap race starts at 12:30 p.m. local time in Japan. The timing of the event allows for live coverage by TBS, shown during "prime time" hours (Sat., Nov. 22 at 10:00 p.m. EST) back in the United States. By Tom Roberts Public Relations
