NASCAR Winston Cup Series NAPA 500 Preview: #3, Dale Earnhardt
12 November 1997
#3 Dale Earnhardt, GM Goodwrench Service Plus Chevrolet Monte Carlo
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
NAPA 500 Advance
Atlanta Motor Speedway
EARNHARDT LEADS THE WAY TO VICTORY LANE IN ATLANTA
HAMPTON, GA - The last race that Dale Earnhardt and the GM Goodwrench Service
Plus team won was in March of 1996 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Heading into
the final event of the 1997 season, Earnhardt has won the season finale in
Atlanta finally four times, the last coming in 1995.
- Even though the GM Goodwrench Service Plus team hasn't made a trip to
victory lane in 1997, what they have done is finish every race dating back to
August of 1996. Finishing 45 consecutive finishes by a team.
- Dale Earnhardt has finished eighth or better is six of the last seven
NASCAR Winston Cup events.
Earnhardt's Atlanta Record Book
Most Wins: 8 (3/96, 11/95, 3/90, 11/89, 3/88, 11/86, 11/84, 3/80)
Race Speed Records: Purolator 500 - 161.298 mph, March, 10, 1996
NAPA 500 - 163.633 mph, November 12, 1995
Furthest starting position to win: 31st, March 16, 1980
Races Wins Top 5 Top 10 Poles Money Won
39 8 24 27 5 1,349,045
QUOTES:
"We haven't had a bad year," stated Dale Earnhardt. "It hasn't been one of
our best, but it's far from being a bad one. There are four teams that have
had a better season than us and 35 others wishing they were in our position.
"We hold the record for most wins with the old layout, so it was perfect to
me. I didn't see anything wrong with it," said Dale Earnhardt.
"We struggled more than I thought we would," stated Richard Childress.
"Towards the end of the year we've been headed in the right direction. I'm
glad 1997 is coming to an end, but I'm really glad the 1998 season is right
around the corner. I believe we're going to be strong and fighting for the
championship."
By Champion Sports Group