Blk3GM's Busch Series News - Little E outpowers Lajoie for win at Gateway

Blk3GM's NASCAR Busch Series News

Little E Outpowers LaJoie for the Win at Gateway
August 2, 1999

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. won Saturday's Carquest Auto Parts 250 at Gateway International Raceway to regain the points lead in the NASCAR Busch Series' Grand National Division.

Earnhardt, who got his fourth victory of the year, led in 59 of the race's 200 laps including the final 46 after passing Joe Nemechek. With the win and a $51,775 payday, he became the sixth driver in series history to surpass $2 million in career earnings.

"We didn't have the quickest car on the sheet, statistically, all weekend," Earnhardt said. "Maybe unconsciously, we had the wool kind of over everybody's eyes there - maybe even our own."

The victory gives Earnhardt a slim 11-point advantage over Matt Kenseth in the point standings - 2,947 to 2,936. He came from the 18th position to take the checkered flag.

"Wow, that's pretty tight, I guess," Earnhardt said. "It's great, No. 1, for the NASCAR Busch Series. That just shows you what type of competitors you have here."

Randy LaJoie moved through the pack after starting 27th to finish as the second while Nemechek was third. Teammates Jeff Green and Jason Keller were fourth and fifth, while Kenseth finished sixth.

"Little E (Earnhardt) was a little bit too strong there at the end. I think I could have got him," LaJoie said. "I'm not sure if he could have passed me, but I could have passed him. But we had a good day."

"Randy had a lot better car than we did up until he got to me," Earnhardt said. "It's hard to pass here. I think his car was still probably quicker than mine, but my car was in front of his. Him not having any air on the front of his car allowed his car to get tighter and he was unable to really make any charge once he got within a car length or so.

"I was just trying the best I could to stay in front of him. I'd give up a little bit going so I could come off the corner a little bit harder. Getting off the corner faster, I'd get faster down the straightaways. I'd be ahead of him in rpm all the way to the end of the straightaway. It paid off."

The NASCAR Busch Series moves to Indianapolis Raceway Park next Friday, for the Kroger 200.

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Blk3GM's Dale Earnhardt Site was born on July 26, 1998 and is owned and maintained by Gary Harris. This site is a tribute to "NASCAR's Greatest Driver" and his up and coming son. We are not affiliated with any official Team, Sponsors, Media Group or NASCAR. This site is solely for entertainment purposes. Information and statistic's on this site have been collected from various NASCAR related sites on the internet, from Winston Cup Scene, Newspapers, Television and our personal experience at Winston Cup and Busch Grand National races. All statistics are believed to be accurate at the time they are updated but cannot be guaranteed.