QUALIFYING RESULTS:QUALIFYING RAINED OUT; FIELD SET BY 2002 OWNERS POINTS
SCOTT WIMMER STARTING POSITION: 4th
RACE INFORMATION:
DAY/DATE: Saturday, October 26, 2002
RACE TIME: 1:00 p.m. EST
RACE: Aarons 312
TELEVISION/RADIO COVERAGE: Live on TNT / Live on PRN Radio
RACE LAPS/MILES: 203 laps / 312.62 miles
RACE WINNER: Jamie McMurray
FINISHING POSITION: 13th
MONEY WON: $13,920
DRIVER POINTS POSITION: 3rd (388 behind leader, Greg Biffle)
RACE RECAP: Scott Wimmer started the Aarons 312 at Atlanta Motor Speedway from the fourth position. Wimmer took over the second position on lap two and remained in that position despite a caution period on laps 15-17 involving Hank Parker, Jr. and Brian Vickers. On lap 25, NASCAR threw a competition caution due to the lack of practice on Friday. Wimmer pitted for four tires, fuel, a track bar and air pressure adjustment. Wimmer exited the pits in the ninth position due to some cars choosing not to pit and some taking fuel only. The race restarted on lap 33 and on lap 34, the caution flag was displayed for rain. The field went back to racing on lap 38 and by lap 51, Wimmer had made it up to the third position. On lap 61, the caution flag was thrown for an accident involving Kerry Earnhardt in turn two. Wimmer stated the car was a tight off the corners but the team chose not to make any adjustments and pitted for fuel only. About half the field took fuel only and half took new tires. Wimmer restarted the race from the second position on lap 68 and on lap 69, took over the lead from Jeff Green. On lap 73, Michael Waltrip and Joe Nemechek got by Wimmer; both cars having newer tires. By lap 93, he fell back to the ninth position, due to the older tires. Wimmer pitted under green flag racing conditions on lap 116 for four tires and fuel, but unfortunately, the caution flag waved on lap 120 due to oil on the track. Most of the leaders hadnt pitted yet, so this placed Wimmer two laps down. Wimmer chose not to pit and restarted the race on lap 130 from the 23rd position. By lap 167, Wimmer had moved up to the 20th position and there were only nine cars on the lead lap at this point. Wimmer pitted under green flag conditions on lap 183 for two tires and fuel, exiting in the 18th position. Wimmer battled hard until the end of the event, able to make it to the 13th position. Only six cars were on the lead lap at the end of the event. Wimmer told the crew, This was the best cars we had all year, and crew chief, Bootie Barker, responded, That car was 1.5 seconds faster than the leader. Had the team not gotten caught a lap down, they felt they couldve posted their third win of the season. Jamie McMurray picked up his first NBS win of his career.