Daytona 500 Live Report by Jim Hartsell

Our week began on Tuesday with a plane trip for my wife Cathy, my son Zachary, and me. We spent our week with a trip to Disney World, Daytona Beach, and the zoo. We stayed with friends in Deltona, about a 30 minute drive from Daytona.

Raceday We left for Daytona at approx. 7:00am. We encountered a little traffic, but compared to Bristol or Michigan, Daytona traffic control had planned ahead. Or maybe we just got lucky. We arrived in our seats, in the Tiny Lund grandstand, on the backstretch. A large jumbotron TV was located in front of the grandstand, so we could keep up with the action on the frontstretch. We had a better view than I had imagined. My excitement rose as the race neared its start. Derrike starting in the 11th starting postion.

The Daytona 500 began under overcast skies. The threat of rain seemed to be far away for the moment. As they dropped the green flag, the sight of 43 stock cars coming out of turn 1, into 2, and down the backstrech is amazing. Derrike looked very strong in the early laps, drafting and then powering by cars on his own in the early part of the race. The lead pack settled in, with Derrike simply being patient, content to remain with the lead pack. He moved his way up to 2nd, behind Earnhardt, and the conversation was to hold behind Earnhardt. They were confident they could lead a lap later in the race.

A deal was struck to pit with Earnhardt. Derrike seemed nervous about whether Earnhardt was going to sneak in the pits without him. All worked out and they pitted on lap 58. Derrike took on 4 tires and gas. He charged back out, and patiently remained in the lead draft. Derrike had a very strong car. He seemed to be one of the 3 fastest cars on the track.

About lap 100, the sun broke through the clouds. Derrike reported that the sun coming out had hurt him. Then came lap 107. Derrike went down pit road. I had no visual of this event. I simply listened. "4 tires, gas, one round of bite." "Stop!, Stop!, Stop!" Derrike replied, "Ran into my right front corner, in my blindspot, I didn't see him. I've got tire rub." Just like that. Derrike re-entered pit road on lap 108. They pulled the fender out, and changed the outside 2 tires. As he sat there Derrike stated, "Sorry guys, my fault for not seeing him." I didn't know at the time who he had hit. I learned later it was Jeff Burton.

Lap 114 - "Still rubbing low on right front. Tow-in is out too. We'll have to fix that also." Lap 117 - back into pit, "aerodynamics all messed up." I knew at that time that Derrike's day was going to be finished.

I watched lap by lap as Derrike"s #30 Gumout Pontiac went by slowly on the inside down the backstrech. He was on the track simply for those precious points. Let's forget this one, move on to the Rock. This car is better than any Derrike has had in a while. He will visit victory lane this year.

I must admit, once Derrike's day had turned sour, I turned my attention to Dale Earnhardt. The scene at Daytona as he led the final lap under caution, was one I won't forget. All race fans, regardless of their favorite driver, stood and showed their respect. Race fans are truly special people.

OK. Let's go Derrike. Keep our head up. You have a strong race car.

I attended the Busch race also, but as you know, no report on Derrike.