This race is where Casey Atwood started to show his true potential as a racer. It's too bad that Evernham fired him at the end of the season, makes you wonder just how well he could have done in 2002.
This was the first ever race I went to! Can’t believe I never thought of looking for it before. I don’t remember the whole race being marred by tire issues, but for some reason I remembered Bobby Hamilton losing the tire. I also remembered Kurt Busch getting turned by Spencer and remembered all of my family saying how mad he’ll be. I also remember Andretti’s crash now seeing it on video, and Burton’s crew guys gave him that flag right in front of where we were sitting. Awesome memories came flooding back watching this.
2001 Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil Location: Avondale, Arizona Track: Phoenix International Raceway Type of race track: Speedway Starting cars: 43 Finishing cars: 36 Laps: 312 Cautions: 7 Pole Winner: Casey Atwood (19) (Rookie) Most laps led: Jeff Burton (99) (102 laps led) Race Winner: Jeff Burton (99)
He would then go 176 races without a win until he won Dover in September 2006. First time he ever won at the Monster Mile, and after an epic battle with former teammate Matt Kenseth (who ran out of gas, Burton had plenty of gas).
I preferred Phoenix like this, or the current configuration when the start/finish line was located where it had always been. Not a big fan of the fact they moved the line to the short chute between what was Turn 2 and the Dogleg.
Robbie Loomis and Jeff Gordon never did get a Phoenix win together, as Jeff's 2007 win came with Steve Letarte and his 2011 win was with Alan Gustafson.
His 2007 win was the first race at Phoenix using the infamous COT and was memorable for carrying a "3" flag for winning his 76th Cup win tying Dale Earnhardt Sr. His 2011 win was impressive because he pancaked the right side avoiding a big crash on the backstretch and beating Kyle Busch. That race he tied Cale Yarborough with his 83rd Cup win, and it was the last race held on the original Phoenix layout. Also his first win in which the sponsor on the car was NOT Dupont or Pepsi, he had AARP Drive to End Hunger.
Jeff Burton would not win for like another 5 years until he won the 2006 fall Dover race. He also got close to winning the chase that year, if Jimmie Johnson hadn't rattled off on his winning romp.
In addition to being Jeff Burton's last Roush win and last win period for a LONG time, the #99 car would not win another race period until March 2005, when Carl Edwards made that bold move off turn 4 at Atlanta.
If it wernt for that blown tire at Talladega while in the Top 10 and the pit misque at Martinsville. I believe he would have had been with Johnson and Kenseth in the championship hunt.
Shows you the huge difference equipment makes. Wallace finally getting in a Penske car and almost wins. If someone like Jimmie Johnson drove for a mid tier team he would have zero career wins
This race is where Casey Atwood started to show his true potential as a racer. It's too bad that Evernham fired him at the end of the season, makes you wonder just how well he could have done in 2002.
This was the first ever race I went to! Can’t believe I never thought of looking for it before. I don’t remember the whole race being marred by tire issues, but for some reason I remembered Bobby Hamilton losing the tire. I also remembered Kurt Busch getting turned by Spencer and remembered all of my family saying how mad he’ll be. I also remember Andretti’s crash now seeing it on video, and Burton’s crew guys gave him that flag right in front of where we were sitting. Awesome memories came flooding back watching this.
2001 Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil
Location: Avondale, Arizona
Track: Phoenix International Raceway
Type of race track: Speedway
Starting cars: 43
Finishing cars: 36
Laps: 312
Cautions: 7
Pole Winner: Casey Atwood (19) (Rookie)
Most laps led: Jeff Burton (99) (102 laps led)
Race Winner: Jeff Burton (99)
Really enjoyed the Tony Stewart feature story in the pre race
Finally, someone puts this race up. I remember this so well because it was the second time I went to a NASCAR race live. Ahhh so many good memories.
One of my favorite Burton victories.
He would then go 176 races without a win until he won Dover in September 2006. First time he ever won at the Monster Mile, and after an epic battle with former teammate Matt Kenseth (who ran out of gas, Burton had plenty of gas).
IIRC This race started the Jimmy Spencer/Kurt Busch feud.
@Andrew McFadden Thank you for the time stamp.👍
Thanks for posting! Was the only 2001 race I couldn't find :)
I miss this Phoenix.
I preferred Phoenix like this, or the current configuration when the start/finish line was located where it had always been. Not a big fan of the fact they moved the line to the short chute between what was Turn 2 and the Dogleg.
Robbie Loomis and Jeff Gordon never did get a Phoenix win together, as Jeff's 2007 win came with Steve Letarte and his 2011 win was with Alan Gustafson.
His 2007 win was the first race at Phoenix using the infamous COT and was memorable for carrying a "3" flag for winning his 76th Cup win tying Dale Earnhardt Sr. His 2011 win was impressive because he pancaked the right side avoiding a big crash on the backstretch and beating Kyle Busch. That race he tied Cale Yarborough with his 83rd Cup win, and it was the last race held on the original Phoenix layout. Also his first win in which the sponsor on the car was NOT Dupont or Pepsi, he had AARP Drive to End Hunger.
Jeff Burton would not win for like another 5 years until he won the 2006 fall Dover race. He also got close to winning the chase that year, if Jimmie Johnson hadn't rattled off on his winning romp.
I remember this race all too well. Damn Goodyear.
I don't remember the Halloween theme music on the intro. Scary!
it's from 2001? not like we had HD recorders back then..especially since I was 11...
Mike Wallace could have won this race, but this was Burtons last win for five years or something.
In addition to being Jeff Burton's last Roush win and last win period for a LONG time, the #99 car would not win another race period until March 2005, when Carl Edwards made that bold move off turn 4 at Atlanta.
I agree with you Jim Hunter it the drivers that cause these wreck at talladega
I didn’t know Kyle Larson actually won this race.
If it wernt for that blown tire at Talladega while in the Top 10 and the pit misque at Martinsville. I believe he would have had been with Johnson and Kenseth in the championship hunt.
Nice upload man ty
8 different cars blew their right-front tire
Shows you the huge difference equipment makes. Wallace finally getting in a Penske car and almost wins. If someone like Jimmie Johnson drove for a mid tier team he would have zero career wins
2:30:24 John Andretti Crash in the wall
37:20 green flag