Cracker Barrel 500 Live Report by Darryl Gumz

It was a crummy day for racing (so what's new in a March race in Atlanta!) The morning was very wet, but the rain stopped by around 9 am. The temperature was cold (low 40s at best). The trucks came out around 10:30 to begin drying the track. The race didn't start until after 2:30 because the cold air made it tough to get the track dry. In fact, the track crews never were happy with the result on pit road (could this have been why NASCAR officials were so tough on speed in pit road?)

While everyone was waiting for the race to begin, I overheard Dale Jarrett's crew talk about an oil temp gauge problem. They took the car out of line and took it in to get it fixed. Fortunately, the delay gave them plenty of time to get it done and bring it back out.

To help make sure the track was dry, the drivers did 17 laps around the track before the green flag was thrown. Derrike started in the 27th position after a great 2nd day qualifying run, but in a very short time he was running 39th. Things never got much better for Derrike all day long. Remember, he had the flu and was still sore from his Saturday altercation in the Busch race.

On lap 21, we got our first caution when Dale Earnhardt hit the wall in turn 4. It was a single car accident with nobody else to blame--the car just got away from him.

On lap 54, Bobby Labonte lapped his first two cars and lapped Derrike at lap 73.

On lap 86, Derrike made two quick trips to the pits, but I did not hear why. It looked like he didn't even stop the first time through. Not a great strategy, but....

At lap 103, I heard Jeff Burton mention that therem was rain and Mark Martin made the same observation in lap 112. Shortly after that, we had another caution to make sure everything was okay.

At lap 150, Derrike had a Dale Earnhardt experience in turn 4, sliding up into the wall. At least Derrike was able to drive his car back in, making it a short day for the Bryan car.

As for the rest of the race, it stayed cold and appeared that Mike Skinner and Bobby Labonte were going to trade the lead all day until lap 174, when #24 (no name given) came bursting onto the scene. Bobby had a few shots at him, but ultimately #24 took the checkered flag and I went home to take a WARM bath.

PRN had a short interview with Derrike after his crash and he sounded like he will be okay and ready to go for next week. Derrike, warm chicken noodle soup, man!!!