2000 Texas 350

The 2000 Texas 350 is the 3rd race of the 2000 Piston Cup season. This race is best known for a gigantic crash on lap 197 which involved sixteen racers, out of which rookie Darren Leadfoot, Ponchy Wipeout, and Claude Scruggs bravely finished the race with all 202 laps with minor damage, while the other thirteen retired.

Dale Jr won and Jeff Burton is second with Bobby Carbonte 3rd. Ruby Oaks, one of the racers involved in the crash (and one of the godliest), was hospitalized when he told medics he couldn't blink or close his eyes. It turns out during the crash he was hit at the windshield blinking system. Ruby recovered the next day and attends the Olympus 500.

It's also one of the four rookies Matt Carseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr (the winner), Davey Apex, and of course Slider Petrolski.

Only 19 racers finished. There were 34 of 35 racers because Chick didn't race because he was recovering damage from his Nightdona crash. 13 were involved in the wreck and one had punctured tire after just 22 laps. The race is extended to 202 laps, due to the wreck's cause of a green/white/checker, which the rule was added in 1940.

James Cleanair returned to racing after missing Vegas, being one of the lucky few to avoid the Big one placing 6th. Chick returned in the Olympus 500 which is the next race.

## Footage of Dale Jr's first win

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxLRIJFvWws

## Television Biography

Network: RSN2

Announcers: Bob Cutlass and Darrell Cartrip

Pit Reporter: River Scott

### Finish

Bob: This is it, Darrell! There's one lap to go as Jeff Burton is going on the inside of Dale Jr! But the big question is, can Burton make it?

Darrell: It's gotta be the best one yet, I think, at Texas other than Brad Gonzalez in 1989! Oh my god! Here comes the finish! And Dale Earnhardt Jr wins his first race!

Bob: Dale Earnhardt Jr wins at Texas, his first career win ever!

### Victory lane

Darrell: It is exiting to see Dale Jr winning his first career win!

Bob: Right you are Darrell. His father came first. So Dale, how would you know of your son winning his first career win.

Dale: Today, he's something else! He's talking about coming to Texas and winning his first Piston Cup race! He won his first Busch Series here when you tequila can do it! Tony you're and all the guys worked hard and I gotta thank Budwiser Axxelo Fission everybody! This kid, he worked hard. Tony, Tony Gina, Tony Jr, Tony you see here! Richie Filmore and all the guys in that engine stop! We've got a good racing car, a good engine aboard and good race.

Bob: And Dale Jr, this was only you're 3rd start in the Piston Cup since you are a rookie this year.

Dale Jr: Yeah! (Out of breath) I'm out of breath! Man, tell you what! How's the hardest! Part as race ever dude!

Bob: Certainly drove a beautiful one today and you are pulling away at the finish.

Dale Jr Yeah, (Cauths) with (Cauths more), well we had a blue all day long! How are we gonna get nothing felt pretty good! And once the race started, once the race started, we had a good number and I was pretty happy!

Bob: You certainly did a beautiful job.

Darrell: I know he did Bob. His sister is now hugging him. Aww.

Bob: Dale Earnhardt Jr, won his very first victory in the Piston Cup Series.