The 2002 Aaron's 312 was a NASCAR Busch Series race held April 20 at Talladega Superspeedway. Jason Keller won the race, which was marred by a lap 15 crash that blocked the racetrack and took out 1/4 of the field. No one was seriously hurt, but only three cars finished on the lead lap at the end. Because of the wreck, many drivers posted the best finishes of their career. Jack Sprague's points lead decreased to 22 points over Keller.
2002 Aaron's 312 | |
General info | |
---|---|
Series | Busch Series |
Location | Talladega Superspeedway |
Date | April 20, 2002 |
Qualifying | |
Pole Sitter | Johnny Sauter |
Pole Speed | 188.764 mph |
Race Data | |
Winner | Jason Keller |
Margin of Victory | .163 seconds |
Average Speed | 157.691 mph |
Cautions | 3 for 12 laps |
Points Leader | Jack Sprague (+22) |
Qualifying notes[]
Rookie Johnny Sauter won his first career pole at a speed nearing 189 mph. Stacy Compton started a then career-best second place, and points leader started sixth.
The only driver who failed to qualify for this race was Rick Markle, driving the #96 ORTEC Racing Chevy.
Additional race data[]
- Leaders: 5
- Time of race: 1:58:25
- Average Speed: 157.691 mph
- Margin of Victory: .163 sec
- Most Spots Improved: Andy Kirby (+39)
- Despite the sponsor, Tim Fedewa did not drive for Biagi Brothers Racing in this race. The team had partnered with Fedewa and Davis Motorsports in a one-off deal for this race.
- Coy Gibbs made his NASCAR debut in this race. Driving for his father's team, he did not get very far as he was involved in the opening wreck.
Results[]
Finish | Start | No. | Name | Sponsor | Make | Laps | Laps Lead | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 12 | 57 | Jason Keller | Albertson's | Ford | 117 | 51 | running |
2 | 2 | Stacy Compton | Kingsford/Johnsonville | Ford | 117 | 46 | running | |
3 | 32 | 07 | Tim Fedewa | Biagi Brothers | Pontiac | 117 | 0 | running |
4 | 17 | 92 | Todd Bodine | Excedrin | Chevrolet | 116 | 0 | running |
5 | 24 | 66 | Casey Mears (R) | Phillips 66 | Dodge | 116 | 0 | running |
6 | 39 | 49 | Andy Kirby | Rent-A-Wreck | Ford | 115 | 0 | running |
7 | 36 | 77 | Jimmy Kitchens | RacingUSA.com | Ford | 111 | 0 | running |
8 | 31 | 14 | Larry Foyt | Harrah's | Dodge | 110 | 0 | running |
9 | 20 | 48 | Kenny Wallace | Stacker 2 | Pontiac | 107 | 8 | engine |
10 | 9 | 36 | Hank Parker Jr. | GNC Live Well | Dodge | 106 | 0 | running |
11 | 38 | 54 | Kevin Grubb | Toys R Us | Chevrolet | 106 | 0 | running |
12 | 40 | 16 | Chad Chaffin | 31-W Insulation | Pontiac | 106 | 0 | running |
13 | 6 | 24 | Jack Sprague | NetZero | Chevrolet | 80 | 0 | running |
14 | 35 | 67 | Skip Smith | Panasonic | Chevrolet | 75 | 0 | overheating |
15 | 11 | 37 | Jeff Purvis | Timber Wolf | Pontiac | 73 | 1 | engine |
16 | 42 | 84 | Larry Gunselman | Weber Racing | Chevrolet | 66 | 0 | running |
17 | 15 | 7 | Randy LaJoie | Kleenex/Nortel/Winn-Dixie | Chevrolet | 63 | 0 | running |
18 | 23 | 12 | Kerry Earnhardt (R) | 10-10-200 | Chevrolet | 63 | 0 | running |
19 | 5 | Scott Riggs (R) | Nestle Nesquick | Ford | 59 | 0 | running | |
20 | 14 | 33 | Tony Raines | Closet Maid | Chevrolet | 55 | 0 | running |
21 | 16 | 47 | Shane Hmiel (R) | Thomas Pacconi Classics | Pontiac | 54 | 0 | running |
22 | 37 | Bobby Hamilton, Jr. | U.S. Marines Corps | Ford | 53 | 0 | running | |
23 | 30 | 46 | Ashton Lewis | Civil Air Patrol | Chevrolet | 52 | 0 | crash |
24 | 19 | 18 | Mike McLaughlin | MBNA | Chevrolet | 51 | 0 | running |
25 | 25 | 26 | Lyndon Amick | Dr. Pepper | Pontiac | 50 | 0 | running |
26 | 7 | 60 | Greg Biffle (R) | Grainger | Ford | 27 | 0 | running |
27 | 18 | 27 | Jamie McMurray | Williams Travels Centers | Pontiac | 25 | 0 | crash |
28 | 34 | 23 | Scott Wimmer | Bill Davis Racing | Pontiac | 23 | 0 | crash |
29 | 8 | Ron Hornaday | GMAC Financial Services | Cheverolet | 23 | 0 | crash | |
30 | 4 | 21 | Jay Sauter | Rockwell Automation | Chevrolet | 20 | 0 | crash |
31 | 33 | 63 | Shane Hall | Greased Lightening | Chevrolet | 18 | 0 | crash |
32 | 30 | 19 | Tim Sauter | AP Performance Racing | Chevrolet | 18 | 0 | crash |
33 | 1 | Johnny Sauter (R) | ACDelco | Chevrolet | 14 | 11 | crash | |
34 | 3 | 87 | Joe Nemechek | Scotts Products/Food City | Chevrolet | 14 | 0 | crash |
35 | 13 | 99 | Michael Waltrip | Aaron's | Chevrolet | 14 | 0 | crash |
36 | 21 | 51 | Joe Ruttman | Yellow | Pontiac | 14 | 0 | crash |
37 | 28 | 1 | Jimmy Spencer | Yellow | Pontiac | 14 | 0 | crash |
38 | 27 | Mike Wallace | Biagi Brothers | Pontiac | 14 | 0 | crash | |
39 | 41 | 44 | Mike Harmon | 123 CityNet/Mega Mania | Chevrolet | 14 | 0 | crash |
40 | 22 | 88 | Jeff Fuller | Scott Products/Food City | Pontiac | 14 | 0 | crash |
41 | 26 | 20 | Coy Gibbs | Conagra Foods | Pontiac | 14 | 0 | crash |
42 | 43 | 52 | Brad Teague | Means Racing | Ford | 6 | 0 | overheating |
43 | 29 | Christian Elder (R) | Great Clips | Ford | 2 | 0 | engine |
Points[]
- Jack Sprague +22
- Jason Keller -22
- Randy LaJoie -90
- Kenny Wallace -100
- Scott Riggs -101
- Greg Biffle -168
- Bobby Hamilton, Jr. -186
- Stacy Compton -198
- Mike McLaughlin -205
- Scott Wimmer -250