philgorp
03-23-2004, 08:21 PM
source; newsday.com (http://www.newsday.com/sports/motorracing/sns-ap-car-nascar-notebook,0,4406350.story?coll=sns-motorracing-headlines)
http://i.cnn.net/nascar/2004/news/opinion/smith/03/23/lastlap_fieldfillers/lap1.jpg
Jeff Gordon Says Wreck Caused by Slow Racers
By PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer
March 21, 2004, 9:32 PM EST
DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Jeff Gordon could see trouble brewing early on in the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 -- and it had nothing to do with Darlington Raceway's much discussed SAFER barriers.
Gordon blamed drivers who can't keep up to speed for a scary looking wreck Sunday that sent him behind the wall at Darlington, where he's won six times. Gordon says he dodged the slower machines almost from the start, even radioing in before the accident that NASCAR should take them off the track.
"It's one thing if a guy's not up to pace," Gordon said. "It's another if he's in the way."
Soon enough, Gordon's fears came true. He slammed his front end hard into the wrecked, sideways machine of Andy Hillenburg in turn one, seriously damaging Gordon's Chevrolet.
Hillenburg is one of the so-called "field fillers," -- underfunded teams that show up at every race hoping to qualify. Hillenburg admitted he got in Tony Stewart's way, leading to the crash. Hillenburg says he needs to bring a faster car to compete.
Both drivers were OK. Gordon, who finished 41st behind winner Jimmie Johnson, did not point the finger at Hillenburg. Instead, the four-time Nextel Cup champion wanted NASCAR leaders to figure out a solution.
http://wwwi.reuters.com/images/2004-03-23T225818Z_01_WASH429D_RTRIDSP_2_SECURITY-COMMISSION.jpg
Donald Rumsfeld, shown here describing the wreck
Gordon says officials are too caught up with full, 43-car fields in a world of shrinking sponsor dollars and increased costs.
"I don't care if there are 43 cars. I don't know if the people in the stands really care if there are 43 cars," Gordon said. "We need cars out there that are competitive and that need to be out there competing for position, not just riding around."
http://i.cnn.net/nascar/2004/news/opinion/smith/03/23/lastlap_fieldfillers/lap1.jpg
Jeff Gordon Says Wreck Caused by Slow Racers
By PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer
March 21, 2004, 9:32 PM EST
DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Jeff Gordon could see trouble brewing early on in the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 -- and it had nothing to do with Darlington Raceway's much discussed SAFER barriers.
Gordon blamed drivers who can't keep up to speed for a scary looking wreck Sunday that sent him behind the wall at Darlington, where he's won six times. Gordon says he dodged the slower machines almost from the start, even radioing in before the accident that NASCAR should take them off the track.
"It's one thing if a guy's not up to pace," Gordon said. "It's another if he's in the way."
Soon enough, Gordon's fears came true. He slammed his front end hard into the wrecked, sideways machine of Andy Hillenburg in turn one, seriously damaging Gordon's Chevrolet.
Hillenburg is one of the so-called "field fillers," -- underfunded teams that show up at every race hoping to qualify. Hillenburg admitted he got in Tony Stewart's way, leading to the crash. Hillenburg says he needs to bring a faster car to compete.
Both drivers were OK. Gordon, who finished 41st behind winner Jimmie Johnson, did not point the finger at Hillenburg. Instead, the four-time Nextel Cup champion wanted NASCAR leaders to figure out a solution.
http://wwwi.reuters.com/images/2004-03-23T225818Z_01_WASH429D_RTRIDSP_2_SECURITY-COMMISSION.jpg
Donald Rumsfeld, shown here describing the wreck
Gordon says officials are too caught up with full, 43-car fields in a world of shrinking sponsor dollars and increased costs.
"I don't care if there are 43 cars. I don't know if the people in the stands really care if there are 43 cars," Gordon said. "We need cars out there that are competitive and that need to be out there competing for position, not just riding around."