Darlington Race Report
Race Report – Darlington Raceway
#49 Schwan’s Home Service Dodge
Dodge Charger 500, May 7, 2005
1.366-mile Darlington, S.C.
RESULTS:
1. Greg Biffle, Ford
2. Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet
3. Kasey Kahne, Dodge
4. Mark Martin, Ford
5. Ryan Newman, Dodge
18. Ken Schrader, Dodge
FULL RUNDOWN: http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2005/10/data/results_unofficial.html
In front of a sellout crowd the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit took aim at the “Track Too Tough To Tame,” the Darlington Raceway, for Saturday night’s running of the Dodge Charger 500. It was yet another historical night at NASCAR’s oldest track as Saturday’s race marked the first race ever started under the lights at Darlington and the first time the Nextel Cup circuit had raced on Mother’s Day weekend in more than two decades.
At the end of a lengthy but exciting evening a familiar name ended up taking home the checkers, as Greg Biffle led 176 of the 370 laps to win for the third time in 2005. Several cars took turns leading throughout the evening but no matter what happened, it seemed only a matter of time before Biffle found his way back towards to front. Several wrecks early took out some of the favorites including last year’s Nextel Cup champion Kurt Busch. But, it was the final caution of the evening that set up the second green-white-checkered finish in as many weeks.
Ryan Newman had taken the lead on lap 323 and seemed to be headed for his first win in 2005, until a caution with under five laps remaining set up the two lap shootout. Tires, always being the premium at Darlington, made for interesting strategy during the final caution. Newman, the leader, stayed out while nearly everyone behind him came in for fresh rubber. That decision proved to be costly as Newman was unable to keep the field at bay and Biffle overtook him before they returned to the white flag. For Biffle, it was win number six of his career. Jeff Gordon followed him across the finish line, ahead of Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin, and Newman you settled for fifth.
It was another roller coaster day for Ken Schrader and the Schwan’s Home Service team. After starting 28th, Schrader appeared to be primed for a charge to the front, racing his way immediately into the top 20. Many teams fought handling woes for much of the evening, and the Schwan’s team was no different, chasing a loose condition for much of the race. A long green flag run, coupled with a blistering pace set by Biffle trapped Schrader as well as over half the field down one lap at around the midway point of the race. But, Schrader and the crew fought valiantly to try and get their lap back.
All the while down a lap, the David Hyder-led crew kept tweaking the car to Schrader’s liking until it was among the 10 fastest cars on the track. Then the break the team was looking for happened when the caution flew on lap 316, and Schrader, being the first car one lap down, received the “free pass” back on the lead lap. Schrader then proceeded to race his way back up to 16th before the caution flew at the end of the race to set up the green-white-checkered finish. The Schwan’s team rolled the dice and chose not to pit, but the gamble didn’t quite pay off the as Schrader, at the mercy of cars with fresh tires, held on to finish 18th.
“We gambled at the end and stayed out,” said Schrader. “If the #2 (car) and the #29 (which wrecked crossing the finish line) had gotten together two laps earlier, then we would have finished in the top five. But, that’s why it’s called a gamble. I’m proud of these guys in the pits. We had some things not go our way, but these guys never quit. They kept getting the car better and better and it seemed like we’d never get our lap back. But, fortunately we did and we were able to pick up some spots because of it.”
The Dodge Charger 500 aired live on FOX and was broadcast live on MRN Radio.
The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series will next head to the .750-mile Richmond (Vir.) International Raceway for Saturday night’s Richmond 400.
