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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
  • 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 59StacyCompton 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 10ppcNesquik 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 25RensiBusch 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 5HendrickBuschGMAC 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 2RCRBusch 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 4BiagiBusch 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 38BuschAkins Christian Elder (R) Great Clips Ford 2 0 engine

Points[]

  1. Jack Sprague +22
  2. Jason Keller -22
  3. Randy LaJoie -90
  4. Kenny Wallace -100
  5. Scott Riggs -101
  6. Greg Biffle -168
  7. Bobby Hamilton, Jr. -186
  8. Stacy Compton -198
  9. Mike McLaughlin -205
  10. Scott Wimmer -250

External Links[]

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