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Coca-Cola
600
| Race: Coca-Cola 600 |
| Date: May 24, 1998 |
| Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway |
| Qualified: 28th |
| Finished: 39th |
| Status: Accident |
| Laps Completed: 336 of 400 |
| Points Earned: 46 |
| Money Earned: $57,580 |
Summary:
Dale Earnhardt almost finished a race with his car in one piece, but it just wasn't
meant to be. An accident on lap 336 of 400 continued Dale's bad luck.
Including the Winston Select, it was Dale's third wreck in the last four races.
Dale's wreck, which also involved Randy LaJoie, brought out
the seventh caution of the day. The two drivers, who were not running on the lead
lap at the time, had been racing side by side for 18th spot for several laps when the
accident occurred. Apparently the No. 16 Ford of Ted Musgrave closed up on LaJoie's
rear bumper. LaJoie's car got loose and slid up the track into Dale's car.
Both Earnhardt and LaJoie then slammed into the wall. The accident occurred in turn
four.
Disgusted, Dale climbed from his battered Chevy. He walked to LaJoie's
wrecked car, removed the passenger side window, and let LaJoie know what he thought of the
incident.
"I hate it for myself and Dale Earnhardt," said LaJoie, who finished
38th. "He's a home-track hero. The car got loose. We made an adjustment and were
racing real hard there. The 16 car (Ted Musgrave) tucked up behind me and got the air off
my spoiler and I ran out of race track and got into the 3 car."
"I was riding along there on the outside and LaJoie lost it," Earnhardt
said. "He hit me pretty hard. I guess I'm alright. I'm not going to the hospital. I
can heal up better on my own."
Dale also complained about the Chevrolets not having enough spoiler, saying that
the Chevy teams have been struggling all night. Dale drooped to tenth in the points
standings. |
© 1998 Unimount Enterprises |
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