#8. February 17, 1983--Daytona International Speedway
Uno 125-Mile Qualifier
Earnhardt's Nifty Move Earns First in Qualifier
*Daytona Slingshot Leaves Foyt 3rd
After his victory in the first 125-mile qualifying race for the Daytona 500, Earnhardt managed to come out ahead financially. His award for his exciting win in the Wrangler Ford amounted to $18,000, more than enough to compensate for the fine slapped on him by NASCAR because of his failure to heed the black flag in the Busch Clash just one week earlier. The fine against Earnhardt totalled $5,000. Earnhardt pulled of the "slingshot" on then leader AJ Foyt in turn 3 with drafting help from Buddy Baker. The race was marred, however, by a terrible wreck on the 7th lap. Bruce Jacobi lost control of his Pontiac as it came out of turn 2 and the car spun into the soggy infield grass along the SuperStretch. The car went airborne and continued to flip violently, shredding the roof and other sheet metal in a series of somersaults. It then plowed into the embankment which separates the track from Lake Lloyd. Jacobi was taken to the infield care center, then transported to Halifax Memorial Hospital. There he underwent X-rays and a CAT Scan, which surveys the entire body for internal injury, including the nervuous system. Later, Jacobi was moved into the intensive surgical care unit with a brain injury. His condition was changed to guraded, which means serious but stable. Bruce Jacobi would never return to Winston Cup competition, and passed away on February 4th, 1987.
Top 10 Finishers
1. Dale Earnhardt
2. Buddy Baker
3. AJ Foyt
4. Kyle Petty
5. Joe Ruttman
6. Harry Gant
7. Ricky Rudd
8. David Pearson
9. Bill Elliott
10.Elliott Forbes-Robinson
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mrsmopar12 Fan Club Member #1 Intimidator1951-2001 If this was the 1950's, Jeff Gordon would be Pat Boone and Dale Jr. would be Elvis....both were great singers, but we know who had the most fans.
Driv3r, thanks, you are awesome. I'd never heard of Bruce Jacobi before. I have a very cool book on Dale and I've just started to read it (got it for my b-day one yr ago), been busy on my house. I did a Trivia thread, 1st question re: Dale and you would probably know the answer to my question if you haven't already answered it! And you were sooo close on the top 3 finishers. Oh so close.
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mrsmopar12 Fan Club Member #1 Intimidator1951-2001 If this was the 1950's, Jeff Gordon would be Pat Boone and Dale Jr. would be Elvis....both were great singers, but we know who had the most fans.
Thanks DRIV3R, I had been looking forward to the next of your series. I really am enjoying them!!
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To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Ryan Newman, Daytona 500 Champion!! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
#9. July 16, 1983--Nashville International Raceway
Busch 420
Earnhardt Wins at Nashville
*Dale Rolls to Busch 420 Win
Dale Earnhardt hopes his victory at the Nashville track is a signal of his team's return to its winning ways. Earnhardt took the checkers 15.55 seconds ahead of 2nd place Darrell Waltrip. The years since his 1980 Cup championship have been lean in the win category. After that season, it took 37 events before he would return to victory lane in the '82 Rebel 500, and 39 more before the win in the Busch 420. Darrell Waltrip was the only driver on the same lap as IronHead at the conclusion of the 250-mile event. Ron Bouchard took the Busch Pole for this event. (The Busch Pole Award is now called the Bud Pole Award.) Bouchard ran among the top-5 for the first 148 laps, but was forced behind the wall with an engine failure. Earnhardt, Waltrip, Bonnett, Marcis and Allison swapped the lead 12 times. Dale led 3 times for 212 laps en route to his first Gillette Lap Leader Bonus of the '83 season. On lap 216, Earnhardt would take the lead for the final time, increasing the interval over his competitors with each passing lap.
Top 10 Finishers
1. Dale Earnhardt
2. Darrell Waltrip
3. Tim Richmond
4. Bobby Allison
5. Ricky Rudd
6. Neil Bonnett
7. Bill Elliott
8. Harry Gant
9. Dave Marcis
10.Morgan Shepard
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mrsmopar12 Fan Club Member #1 Intimidator1951-2001 If this was the 1950's, Jeff Gordon would be Pat Boone and Dale Jr. would be Elvis....both were great singers, but we know who had the most fans.
Did I read this right, there were only 2 cars on the lead lap?!?!?!? Wow, if so, that is really racin'! You sure are continuing to keep me entertained and educated with your series, Thank You DRIV3R! See why you are my favorite 8 fan!!!!!
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To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Ryan Newman, Daytona 500 Champion!! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
You sure are continuing to keep me entertained and educated with your series, Thank You DRIV3R! See why you are my favorite 8 fan!!!!!
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