Wallace Out "Motors" Competition!?!?!







Rusty Wallace's Miller Lite Ford out-powered Dale Jarrett's car at the restart on the last lap of the race. Rusty pulled a fast one by putting about a car-length and a half between himself and Dale. He perfectly anticipated the moment Dale would step on the gas, and by the time they reached the start/finish line, Rusty was along-side Jarrett.

With the inside line going into turn one, Rusty easily made the pass and had a smooth run to the finish while Geoff Bodine fought Jarrett for second.

Rusty had come back from an early spin to finish up front. On the seventh lap, Ricky Rudd attempted to pass Wallace in turn two. He got under Rusty, then slid up the track, hitting Rusty in the rear quarter-panel. Rusty spun, not hitting anything. He and Rudd pitted for tires, and began at the back of the field.

Both Rudd and Wallace charged to the front during an unusually long green flag run. Quick pit stops and hard, fast driving moved Rusty to the front of the pack. Several stops under green, left few cars on the lead lap when Kenny Wallace's engine blew on lap 381.

After this second caution, Jeff Gordon challenged Bodine, Jarrett, and Wallace to get back on the lead lap. He was able to get out front, and that's where he was when Ernie Irvan smacked the wall in turn 4. Radio problems prevented Gordon from knowing exactly where the wrecked car was sitting. He came through four and had to slam on his brakes to avoid Irvan. Gordon was slow to get back up to speed, and the three leaders came up on him fast.

Wallace went low, Jarrett went high, Bodine followed Gordon, then went low, and all four drivers took the caution flag within a car length and a half of each other. Jarrett nosed out Rusty, and Gordon was left a lap down.

The green and white flags came out, and that's when Rusty pounced on Jarrett, getting the jump before they got to the line. Bodine was also able to get past Jarrett on the last lap, while Gordon and Rudd fought for fourth.

Rusty celebrated in Victory Lane, but the jubilation may have been premature. During routine post-race inspection, Rusty's engine was found to have a compression ratio higher than 14:1. NASCAR is expected to announce the official results on Monday. It is likely that they will punish the Penske team by fining them and revoking some Winston Cup points. They may, however, disqualify the car, and take away Rusty's victory.

We'll see if Rusty comes up victorious sometime today.


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