Champion Spark Plug 400
The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held August 16 at Michigan International Speedway. The #7 of Alan Kulwicki won the pole. The physical pain Allison endured could not have prepared him for the emotional anguish the Alabama native would suffer through this weekend. On Thursday during Busch Grand National practice, Davey's younger brother, Clifford, died as the result of a single-car crash in turn three. The entire racing family mourned for the Allisons. Davey decided to race. He qualified third and finished fifth in a courageous effort. Harry Gant won another fuel mileage war, beating Darrell Waltrip and Elliott to the finish line by nearly five seconds. Elliott's lead moved to 37 points over Allison, 135 over Gant and 143 over Kulwicki.
Top Ten Results
- 33-Harry Gant
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 11-Bill Elliott
- 4-Ernie Irvan
- 28-Davey Allison
- 42-Kyle Petty
- 22-Sterling Marlin
- 18-Dale Jarrett
- 6-Mark Martin
- 21-Morgan Shepherd
- This was Harry Gant's last Winston Cup victory. He set a new record for oldest winner of a Winston Cup race at 52 years and 219 days. This was also Oldsmobile last victory in NASCAR
- The final caution came out on Lap 97 for a Turn 2 accident involving Jimmy Hensley, Rick Mast, Jeff McClure, and eliminating Derrike Cope. Midpack runner Harry Gant pitted while the leaders (Bill Elliott, Ernie Irvan, and Davey Allison) stayed out, not believing they could finish the race on one more pit stop. They had pitted under the previous caution when Lake Speed spun and severed a fuel line. Gant pitted under green at Lap 149 and stayed out until the checkered flag waved.
- Bill Elliott's point lead grew from 17 to 37 after he led a race-high 72 of 200 laps. Harry Gant shaved 5 points from his deficit to Elliott (down to 135). Polesitter Alan Kulwicki faded to 14th, 1 lap down, after leading 46 laps. This lackluster result put him 143 points behind.
Read more about this topic: 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Famous quotes containing the words champion and/or spark:
“What a terrible thing has happened to us all! To you there, to us here, to all everywhere. Peace who was becoming bright-eyed, now sits in the shadow of death; her handsome champion has been killed as he walked by her very side. Her gallant boy is dead. What a cruel, foul, and most unnatural murder! We mourn here with you, poor, sad American people.”
—Sean O’Casey (1884–1964)
“Give me a girl at an impressionable age, and she is mine for life!”
—Muriel Spark (b. 1918)