Bristol II: Joe Nemechek race report

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Aug. 28, 2004) -- Joe Nemechek found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and unfortunately for the U.S. Army driver he was the first victim in Saturday night's accident-plagued Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

On Lap 33 of 500 Nemechek's Chevrolet got tagged in Turn 1, sending the black and gold Army car crashing into the wall. The damage to the car was not repairable and the result was a 42nd-place finish for Nemechek, who suffered a bruised left foot in the incident.

"I saw the No. 22 (Scott Wimmer) spinning high so I went low," explained Nemechek. "I thought I had him cleared. I needed another six inches --it was that close. I got hit in the right rear and started spinning. There wasn't anything I could do. The car hit driver's-side first but luckily it wasn't flush. I took a good hit, I felt it."

Nemechek was brought to the infield medical center and was released after a short stay. He will undergo further evaluation on his foot Sunday in Charlotte.

"I feel fine, just a bruise," said Nemechek, who walked out of the infield care center without any assistance. "I think my pride is hurt more than anything. But this Army team will bounce back in California next week."

When asked how severe the damage to the Army/USG car was, crew chief Ryan Pemberton responded with a little humor, "The only thing we might save are Joe's ear plugs."