BNS: Notes from NHIS 2001-05-12

Busch North Series, Nascar Touring Notes: CVS/Pharmacy 125 Presented By Bayer, N.H. Intl Speedway, Saturday, May 12

LOUDON, N.H. - Ted Christopher's victory in the CVS/pharmacy 125 presented by Bayer was his fourth at NHIS, tying him with Mike McLaughlin and Kelly Moore for the most wins at the "Magic Mile". His previous NHIS victories had all come on the fall Winston Cup weekend in 1996, 1997, and 1998. He also won on the road courses at Watkins Glen and Lime Rock in 1997 and at his home track, Stafford Motor Speedway, in 2000. It was the first BNS win for "TC" as a car owner, and the first trip to victory lane for crew chief Ralph Solhem since a Riverside Park modified win in the early 1990's.

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Mike Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. find themselves in a familiar position- first and second in points. Last year, they were the leaders in the Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year contest, which Johnson won. This year, they lead the overall Busch North Series title race after two of 21 races. Johnson has parlayed a second at Lee and a third at NHIS into a leading 335 points, while Truex is just five points behind with a fourth at Lee and second at NHIS.

Tracy Gordon's stated goal of improvement on the big tracks was evident at NHIS. The Lee winner finished eighth and trails Johnson by only 13 points. Kelly Moore, with a fifth and a sixth, and Mike Olsen, with a third and a tenth, complete the early-season top five.

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Meanwhile, the Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year battle for 2001 is tighter than a draft at Talledega. Joey McCarthy got even with the track where he was injured last year by scoring top rookie honors in the CVS/pharmacy 125 presented by Bayer. McCarthy now has 17 points, while Eddie MacDonald, Brian Hoar, and Tommy Beamer are tied for second with 16. Roger Raymond is fifth with 10 points.

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Paul Wolfe's third-place qualifying effort at NHIS was a career best, and his sixth place finish matched his mark set at the same track last September.

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Tom Carey's near-miss spoiled what could have been a popular comeback victory for the Orange, Mass. driver, who last visited Busch North Series victory lane at Riverside Park on May 1, 1999- two years and one week ago. Carey moved south in 2000 and competed on a limited basis in both the Busch North Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. Injuries in a truck race at Dover, Del. put an early end to his season. He will run a limited BNS schedule for Andy Santerre in 2001.

Carey's entry received Aubuchon Hardware sponsorship on a one-race basis in addition to Santerre's familiar E.J. Prescott Inc. livery.

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Two drivers made Busch North Series debuts at NHIS. Doug Krpata ran the distacne to finish 31st after starting 38th in his Island Trees Automotive Chevrolet. Featherlite Modified Series stalwart Tommy Cravenho was an early mover in the dayglo WorldBestBuy.com Chevrolet, but engine trouble put him in the garage after 28 laps.

-nascar/BNS-