The Career Of Steve Fulton(Nascar Racing 2002 Season) 2nd Attempt

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#83 FULTON MOTORSPORTS WEEKLY RECAP

Talladega, Alabama | Race 10/32

We had a strong car in Daytona in the draft so we were really looking forward to Talladega and the chance for a great run. We tested here a few weeks ago and our speeds looked to put us in the show if we could just back them up and not have any mechanical failures.

We were able to get solidly into the show in 30th position. We would spend Happy Hour just working in the draft a little and then parked the car and were ready to race halfway through practice. Our car was good in the draft but wasn't going to be able to pull out and make a pass as well as we would like to.

The race was pretty calm in the early going and we quietly moved up to the top-15 when the first caution flew. We used a bit of strategy and stayed out an extra lap under yellow to get 5 bonus points. We restarted in the back but worked our way back to the top-10 and even ran 3rd for a good portion of the last half of the race. We just didn't have the horsepower to pull out and go for the lead but we could run with the leaders all day.

We are very pleased with the performance today and look forward to the other restrictor plate races this year.

When asked about the recent comments by his grandfather Steve had this to say. "We were all getting frustrated with the runs we were having. I think he was just letting out steam. I haven't really talked to him about the comments and just been focused on driving the car and letting him run the shop."

Glenn Fulton's response to our questions about the comments he made were as follows. "I stand by what I said. He is stubborn. We shouldn't be running Cup Series. He ran good at Talladega but a monkey can drive a good race there!"

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1997 THE WINSTON ENTRY LIST

2 | Rusty Wallace | Miller Lite | Ford | Penske Racing
3 | Dale Earnhardt | GM Goodwrench | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing
4 | Sterling Marlin | Kodak Film | Chevrolet | Morgan-McClure Mororsports
5 | Terry Labonte | Kellog's Corn Flakes | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports
6 | Mark Martin | Valvoline | Ford | Roush Racing
7 | Geoff Bodine | QVC | Ford | Geoff Bodine Racing
10 | Ricky Rudd | Tide | Ford | Rudd Performance Motorsports
17 | Darrell Waltrip | Western Auto | Chevrolet | Darrell Waltrip Racing
18 | Bobby Labonte | Interstate Batteries | Pontiac | Joe Gibbs Racing
21 | Michael Waltrip | Citgo | Ford | Wood Brothers Racing
24 | Jeff Gordon | Dupont | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports
28 | Ernie Irvan | Texaco Havoline | Ford | Robert Yates Racing
30 | Johnny Benson | Pennzoil | Pontiac | Bahari Racing
43 | Bobby Hamilton | STP | Pontiac | Petty Enterprises
88 | Dale Jarrett | Ford Quality Care | Ford | Robert Yates Racing
94 | Bill Eliott | McDonald's | Ford | Bill Elliott Racing

These are the 16 drivers that are automaticaly in The Winston by way of winning a race this year, winning a race last year or being a previous winner of this event.

4 more spots will come out of The Winston Open to make it a 20 car field and they will race for a cool million dollars! Both races will have qualifying sessions and no points will be awarded during this weekend's events.

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1997 WINSTON OPEN ENTRY LIST

1 | Morgan Shepherd | R and L Carriers | Pontiac | Precision Products Racing
8 | Hut Stricklin | Circuit City | Ford | Stavola Brothers Racing
9 | Lake Speed | Spam | Ford | Melling Racing
11 | Brett Bodine | Paychex | Ford | Brett Bodine Racing
15 | Larry Pearson (R) | Unsponsored | Ford | Bud Moore Engineering
16 | Ted Musgrave | Primestar | Ford | Roush Racing
22 | Ward Burton | MBNA | Pontiac | Bill Davis Racing
23 | Jimmy Spencer | Camel Smokin' Joe's | Ford | Travis Carter Racing
25 | Ricky Craven | Budweiser | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports
31 | Mike Skinner (R) | Lowe's Home Improvement | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing
33 | Ken Schrader | Skoal Bandit | Chevrolet | Andy Petree Racing
35 | Todd Bodine | Tabasco Products | Pontiac | IRC Venture Motorsports
36 | Derrike Cope | Skittles | Pontiac | MB2 Motorsports
37 | Jeremy Mayfield | Kmart/RC Cola | Ford | Michael Kranefuss Racing
40 | Robby Gordon (R) | Coor's | Chevrolet | SABCO Racing
41 | Steve Grissom | Kodiak | Chevrolet | Larry Hedrick Racing
42 | Joe Nemechek | Bellsouth | Chevrolet | SABCO Racing
44 | Kyle Petty | Hot Wheels | Pontiac | Petty Enterprises
71 | Dave Marcis | Realtree | Chevrolet | Dave Marcis Racing
75 | Rick Mast | Remington | Ford | Butch Mock Motorsports
77 | Bobby Hillin | Jasper | Ford | Jasper Engines Racing
81 | Kenny Wallace | Square D | Ford | Fillmar Racing
83 | Steve Fulton (R) | Unsponsored | Ford | Fulton Motorsports
90 | Dick Trickle | Heilig-Meyers Furniture | Ford | Donlavey Racing
96 | David Green | Caterpillar | Chevrolet | American Equipment Racing
97 | Chad Little | John Deere | Ford | Roush Racing
98 | John Andretti | RCA | Ford | Cale Yarborough Racing
99 | Jeff Burton | Exide Batteries | Ford | Roush Racing

The top-4 finishers from this 20 lap race will move onto the Main Event The Winston for a shot at winning 1 MILLION DOLLARS!

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The Winston Open at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Caution Flags: 0 (0 laps)
Lead Changes: 0 (1 driver)
Weather: Cloudy, 75 °F, Northwest 9 mph

1997 The Winston Open Race Results
POS	DRIVER	CAR	LAPS	START	LED	PTS	BONUS
1	Jeff Burton	99	20	1	20*
2	Jimmy Spencer	23	20	3	0
3	Ken Schrader	33	20	2	0
4	Kyle Petty	44	20	5	0
5	Jeremy Mayfield	37	20	4	0
6	Ted Musgrave	16	20	7	0
7	Ricky Craven	25	20	6	0
8	John Andretti	98	20	8	0
9	Joe Nemechek	42	20	9	0
10	Steve Grissom	41	20	11	0
11	Derrike Cope	36	20	13	0
12	Ward Burton	22	20	10	0
13	Brett Bodine	11	20	12	0
14	David Green (R)	96	20	15	0
15	Larry Pearson (R)	15	20	16	0
16	Chad Little	97	20	14	0
17	Rick Mast	75	20	17	0
18	Dave Marcis	71	20	18	0
19	Steve Fulton (R)	83	20	28	0
20	Todd Bodine	35	20	19	0
21	Morgan Shepherd	1	20	21	0
22	Bobby Hillin	77	20	22	0
23	Lake Speed	9	20	20	0
24	Robby Gordon (R)	40	20	23	0
25	Dick Trickle	90	20	24	0
26	Kenny Wallace	81	20	25	0
27	Robert Pressley	29	20	27	0
28	Hut Stricklin	8	20	26	0
29	Mike Skinner (R)	31	20	29	0

ADVANCE TO THE WINSTON
23 | Jimmy Spencer
33 | Ken Schrader
44 | Kyle Petty
99 | Jeff Burton

JEFF BURTON WINS WINSTON OPEN AS 4 ADVANCE TO THE MAIN EVENT, THE WINSTON

Charlotte, NC | Exhibition Race

Jeff Burton led flag to flag to take the victory in The Winston Open presented by RJReynolds. He advances to The Winston later on this evening along with Jimmy Spencer, Ken Schrader and Kyle Petty. Tune in later to see if one of them can capture the million dollars!

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1997 The Winston at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Caution Flags: 0 (0 laps)
Lead Changes: 0 (1 driver)
Weather: Cloudy, 75 °F, Northwest 9 mph

1997 The Winston at Charlotte Motor Speedway Race Results
POS	DRIVER	CAR	LAPS	START	LED	PTS	BONUS
1	Dale Jarrett	88	40	1	40*
2	Dale Earnhardt	3	40	2	0
3	Rusty Wallace	2	40	3	0
4	Jeff Burton	99	40	4	0
5	Ken Schrader	33	40	5	0
6	Kyle Petty	44	40	7	0
7	Bobby Labonte	18	40	6	0
8	Ricky Rudd	10	40	9	0
9	Jeff Gordon	24	40	8	0
10	Mark Martin	6	40	11	0
11	Terry Labonte	5	40	10	0
12	Geoff Bodine	7	40	14	0
13	Johnny Benson	30	40	12	0
14	Bill Elliott	94	40	13	0
15	Ernie Irvan	28	40	16	0
16	Jimmy Spencer	23	40	15	0
17	Darrell Waltrip	17	40	17	0
18	Sterling Marlin	4	40	19	0
19	Michael Waltrip	21	40	18	0
20	Bobby Hamilton	43	40	20	0

DALE JARRETT WINS A COOL MILLION DOLLARS IN THE WINSTON ALL-STAR RACE

Charlotte, NC | Exhibition Race

Dale Jarrett led from start to finish in the 1997 running of The Winston at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt made a couple of attempts to pass with no success and Jarrett signed his name on the million dollar check. Rusty Wallace brought his Miller Lite Ford home 3rd while 3 of the drivers that transfered in came home 4th, 5th and 6th.

We hope you fans enjoyed All-Star weekend here in Charlotte. Join us back here at Charlotte for next week's Coca-Cola 600 the longest race on the circuit.

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#83 FULTON MOTORSPORTS WEEKLY RECAP

All-Star Weekend | Charlotte, NC

We came into All-Star weekend feeling good off our 6th place run at Talladega. We were guaranteed a spot in the Winston Open so there was no pressure there. In practice we were 25th out of 29 drivers so it was looking like we weren't in contention for a transfer spot. We put down a lap that was only good enough for 28th out of 29 drivers in the field.

We decided to focus on using this race as a test session and put a setup in we would likely run in the 600 next week if we qualify. We were one of the fastest cars on the track but with the race only being 20 laps we could run pretty hard and not have to worry about tires and pit stop strategy.

We gained 9 spots and finished 19th and really think we have a good race car for next weekend as long as we can get in the race. That is going to be the key because our qualifying package isn't up to speed so far here.

All in all it was good learning experience and hopefully next year we can contend for one of those transfer spots. Looking forward to the Coca-Cola 600.

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Coca-Cola 600 at CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Caution Flags: 3 (10 laps)
Lead Changes: 12 (8 drivers)
Weather: Cloudy, 86 °F, West 14 mph

1997 Coca-Cola 600 Race Results
POS	DRIVER	CAR	LAPS	START	LED	PTS	BONUS
1	Dale Earnhardt	3	200	9	5	180	5
2	Dale Jarrett	88	200	6	90*	180	10
3	Steve Fulton (R)	83	200	37	0	165	0
4	Bill Elliott	94	200	13	0	160	0
5	Michael Waltrip	21	200	23	5	160	5
6	Jeff Gordon	24	200	2	19	155	5
7	Sterling Marlin	4	200	20	10	151	5
8	Ricky Rudd	10	200	21	0	142	0
9	Johnny Benson	30	200	12	0	138	0
10	Darrell Waltrip	17	200	15	0	134	0
11	Jimmy Spencer	23	200	22	6	135	5
12	Kyle Petty	44	200	19	0	127	0
13	Bobby Hillin	77	200	39	0	124	0
14	Brett Bodine	11	200	29	0	121	0
15	Ernie Irvan	28	200	18	0	118	0
16	Ward Burton	22	200	17	0	115	0
17	Ricky Craven	25	200	7	0	112	0
18	Mike Skinner (R)	31	200	25	0	109	0
19	Derrike Cope	36	200	28	0	106	0
20	Steve Grissom	41	200	24	0	103	0
21	Mark Martin	6	200	3	2	105	5
22	Terry Labonte	5	200	8	0	97	0
23	Jeff Burton	99	200	11	0	94	0
24	Ted Musgrave	16	200	16	0	91	0
25	Rusty Wallace	2	200	4	0	88	0
26	Jeremy Mayfield	37	200	5	0	85	0
27	Ken Schrader	33	200	10	0	82	0
28	Joe Nemechek	42	200	27	0	79	0
29	Geoff Bodine	7	200	14	0	76	0
30	Bobby Labonte	18	200	1	63	78	5
31	Bobby Hamilton	43	200	30	0	70	0
32	Robby Gordon (R)	40	-1L	33	0	67	0
33	John Andretti	98	-1L	26	0	64	0
34	Rick Mast	75	-1L	43	0	61	0
35	Kenny Wallace	81	-1L	41	0	58	0
36	Lake Speed	9	-1L	38	0	55	0
37	Larry Pearson (R)	15	-1L	42	0	52	0
38	Chad Little	97	-1L	36	0	49	0
39	Dick Trickle	90	-1L	40	0	46	0
40	Dave Marcis	71	-1L	32	0	43	0
41	Robert Pressley	29	-1L	35	0	40	0
42	David Green (R)	96	-1L	31	0	37	0
43	Hut Stricklin	8	DNF	34	0	34	0

DID NOT QUALIFY
1 | Morgan Shepherd
35 | Todd Bodine

DALE EARNHARDT WINS NASCAR'S LONGEST RACE, THE COCA-COLA 600

Charlotte, NC | Race 11/32

In the seasons longest and one of the most prestigious races on tour Dale Earnhardt was able to get by Dale Jarrett after the final round of pit stops to claim his 2nd victory of the year. The lights were on, the tempetures were hot and the excitement was just as hot on the track. Dale Earnhardt was able to use a "bump and run" on Jarrett as they battled lap traffic in the closing laps.

Dale Earnhardt said "Rubbin' is racing! I would wreck my mama to win this race!" The crowd was split between a chorus of cheers and just as many boos as the 3 car did a victory lap after the checkers flew. Dale Jarrett came up and gave Earnhardt a little tire mark and let him know he wasn't happy about being moved out of the way.

Jarrett had this to say "He may wreck his mama to win but I ain't his mama and I'll knock his butt back down a peg or two. I will race him the same way the next time I see him on the track!"

Both drivers were called to the NASCAR hauler after the race to discuss the incident.

Your top rookie was Steve Fulton who used a little pit srategy gamble to almost steal the show but still came home with a 3rd place finish. He had this to say "We had to gamble, nothing to lose and almost pulled off the miracle. I saw Earnhardt get into Jarrett and was hoping they would take each other out!"

Hut Stricklin was the lone DNF as he had engine troubles. Next race will be from the "Monster Mile" in Dover, DE. See you there!

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NASCAR LIVE DRIVER Q&A

Eli Gold: Good evening race fans. After our week off for All-Star festivities we are back with 1989 champion Rusty Wallace who currently sits in 3rd in the Winston Cup Point Standings. Been a good start to the year Rusty, are you eyeing that second title?

Rusty Wallace: Every year when we head to Daytona to start the year that is our main goal. Win the title, win races and get some poles. We have a strong team and anything less may not be a bad season but it would fall short of our expectations.

Eli Gold: You have yet to crack the win column this year but your consistency has you in 3rd place in points following the Coca-Cola 600. Are you guys frustrated by not winning?

Rusty Wallace: It's a little aggravating not having a win but Terry Labonte won the title with just 2 wins last year so it's not the most important thing to win. Although we love to take those trophies back to the race shop and show them off a little.

Eli Gold: There is a rumor circulating about Penske Racing having a second car next season. Any truth to that?

Rusty Wallace: Even if I did know I wouldn't be able to comment on it. The team handles that side, I just try to win races for us. I would love to have a teamate out there on Sundays though, for sure.

Eli Gold: Thanks for coming on Rusty, good luck on the rest of your season. Good night race fans, we will see you next time after our race in Dover.

Driver: Rusty Wallace
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Experience: 14th Season | 1989 Winston Cup Champion
Team: 2 | Miller Lite | Ford | Penske Racing