2001 Pennsylvania 500 Explained

Type:NASWINSTON
First Team:Joe Gibbs Racing
Season No:36
Race No:20
Announcers:Allen Bestwick, Benny Parsons, Wally Dallenbach Jr.
Most Laps:121
Network:TNT
Radio:Motor Racing Network
Avg:134.59mph
Pole Driver:Todd Bodine
First Driver:Bobby Labonte
Most Driver:Jeff Gordon
Most Team:Hendrick Motorsports
Pole Team:Haas-Carter Motorsports
Car:18
Location:Long Pond, Pennsylvania, Pocono Raceway
Scheduled Km:804.672
Distance Km:804.672
Scheduled Mi:500
Scheduled Laps:200
Distance Laps:200
Course Km:4.0
Course Mi:2.5
Official Name:29th Annual Pennsylvania 500 presented by Pep Boys
Race Name:Pennsylvania 500 presented by Pep Boys
Pole Time:52.840
Year:2001
Distance Mi:500
Date:July 29

The 2001 Pennsylvania 500 presented by Pep Boys was the 20th stock car race of the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series and the 29th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, July 29, 2001, in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, at Pocono Raceway, a 2.5 miles (4.0 km) triangular permanent course. The race took the scheduled 200 laps to complete. In the final laps of the race, Bobby Labonte, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, would pass eventual second-place driver, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win his 17th career NASCAR Winston Cup Series win and his first of the season.[1] [2] [3] To fill out the podium, Tony Stewart, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, would finish third.

Background

The race was held at Pocono Raceway, which is a three-turn superspeedway located in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. The track hosts two annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, as well as one Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series event. Until 2019, the track also hosted an IndyCar Series race.

Pocono Raceway is one of a very few NASCAR tracks not owned by either Speedway Motorsports, Inc. or International Speedway Corporation. It is operated by the Igdalsky siblings Brandon, Nicholas, and sister Ashley, and cousins Joseph IV and Chase Mattioli, all of whom are third-generation members of the family-owned Mattco Inc, started by Joseph II and Rose Mattioli.

Outside of the NASCAR races, the track is used throughout the year by Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and motorcycle clubs as well as racing schools and an IndyCar race. The triangular oval also has three separate infield sections of racetrack – North Course, East Course and South Course. Each of these infield sections use a separate portion of the tri-oval to complete the track. During regular non-race weekends, multiple clubs can use the track by running on different infield sections. Also some of the infield sections can be run in either direction, or multiple infield sections can be put together – such as running the North Course and the South Course and using the tri-oval to connect the two.

Entry list

DriverTeamMakeSponsor
1Steve ParkDale Earnhardt, Inc.ChevroletPennzoil
01Jason Leffler (R)Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix SabatesDodgeCingular Wireless, Special Olympics
2Rusty WallacePenske Racing SouthFordMiller Lite
4Kevin LepageMorgan–McClure MotorsportsChevroletKodak
5Terry LabonteHendrick MotorsportsChevroletKellogg's
6Mark MartinRoush RacingFordViagra
7Mike WallaceUltra MotorsportsFordNationsRent
8Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.ChevroletBudweiser
9Bill ElliottEvernham MotorsportsDodgeDodge
10Johnny Benson Jr.MBV MotorsportsPontiacValvoline
11Brett BodineBrett Bodine RacingFordRedCell, Ralphs
12Jeremy MayfieldPenske Racing SouthFordMobil 1
14Ron Hornaday Jr. (R)A. J. Foyt EnterprisesPontiacConseco
15Michael WaltripDale Earnhardt, Inc.ChevroletNAPA Auto Parts
17Matt KensethRoush RacingFordDeWalt
18Bobby LabonteJoe Gibbs RacingPontiacInterstate Batteries, MBNA
19Casey Atwood (R)Evernham MotorsportsDodgeDodge
20Tony StewartJoe Gibbs RacingPontiacThe Home Depot
21Elliott SadlerWood Brothers RacingFordMotorcraft
22Ward BurtonBill Davis RacingDodgeCaterpillar
24Jeff GordonHendrick MotorsportsChevroletDuPont
25Jerry NadeauHendrick MotorsportsChevroletUAW, Delphi
26Jimmy SpencerHaas-Carter MotorsportsFordKmart
27Rick MastEel River RacingPontiacSauer's, Duke's Mayonnaise
28Ricky RuddRobert Yates RacingFordTexaco, Havoline
29Kevin Harvick (R)Richard Childress RacingChevroletGM Goodwrench
31Robby GordonRichard Childress RacingChevroletLowe's
32Ricky CravenPPI MotorsportsFordTide
33Joe NemechekAndy Petree RacingChevroletOakwood Homes
36Ken SchraderMBV MotorsportsPontiacM&M's
40Sterling MarlinChip Ganassi Racing with Felix SabatesDodgeOriginal Coors
43John AndrettiPetty EnterprisesDodgeCheerios
44Buckshot JonesPetty EnterprisesDodgeGeorgia-Pacific Sparkle
45Kyle PettyPetty EnterprisesDodgeSprint PCS
49Andy HillenburgBAM RacingPontiacBAM Racing
55Bobby HamiltonAndy Petree RacingChevroletSquare D
66Todd BodineHaas-Carter MotorsportsFordKmart Blue Light Special
77Robert PressleyJasper MotorsportsFordJasper Engines & Transmissions
85Carl LongMansion MotorsportsFordMansion Motorsports
88Dale JarrettRobert Yates RacingFordUPS
90Hut StricklinDonlavey RacingFordHills Bros. Coffee
92Stacy ComptonMelling RacingDodgeKodiak
93Dave BlaneyBill Davis RacingDodgeAmoco Ultimate
97Kurt Busch (R)Roush RacingFordRubbermaid, Sharpie
99Jeff BurtonRoush RacingFordCitgo Supergard
Official entry list

Practice

First practice

The first practice session was held on Friday, July 27, at 11:30 AM EST. The session would last for two hours and 30 minutes.[4] Ricky Rudd, driving for Robert Yates Racing, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 53.163 and an average speed of 169.291mph.[5]

Pos.DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed
128Ricky RuddRobert Yates RacingFord53.163169.291
26Mark MartinRoush RacingFord53.213169.068
326Jimmy SpencerHaas-Carter MotorsportsFord53.318168.799
Full first practice results

Second practice

The second practice session was held on Saturday, July 28, at 10:45 AM EST. The session would last for 45 minutes. Jeff Gordon, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 54.341 and an average speed of 165.621mph.[6]

Pos.DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed
124Jeff GordonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet54.341165.621
228Ricky RuddRobert Yates RacingFord54.454165.277
318Bobby LabonteJoe Gibbs RacingPontiac54.680164.594
Full second practice results

Third and final practice

The final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Saturday, June 16, at 12:15 AM EST. The session would last for 45 minutes. Jeff Gordon, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 54.859 and an average speed of 164.057mph.[7]

Pos.DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed
124Jeff GordonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet54.859164.057
228Ricky RuddRobert Yates RacingFord54.991163.663
36Mark MartinRoush RacingFord55.002163.630
Full Happy Hour practice results

Qualifying

Qualifying was held on Friday, July 27, at 3:00 PM EST. Each driver would have two laps to set a fastest time; the fastest of the two would count as their official qualifying lap. Positions 1-36 would be decided on time, while positions 37-43 would be based on provisionals. Six spots are awarded by the use of provisionals based on owner's points. The seventh is awarded to a past champion who has not otherwise qualified for the race. If no past champ needs the provisional, the next team in the owner points will be awarded a provisional.[8]

Todd Bodine, driving for Haas-Carter Motorsports, would win the pole, setting a time of 52.840 and an average speed of 170.325mph.[9]

Two drivers would fail to qualify: Andy Hillenburg and Carl Long.

Full qualifying results

Pos.DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed
166Todd BodineHaas-Carter MotorsportsFord52.840170.325
228Ricky RuddRobert Yates RacingFord52.856170.274
36Mark MartinRoush RacingFord53.059169.622
436Ken SchraderMB2 MotorsportsPontiac53.100162.492
519Casey Atwood (R)Evernham MotorsportsDodge53.101169.488
629Kevin Harvick (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet53.163169.291
726Jimmy SpencerHaas-Carter MotorsportsFord53.200169.173
824Jeff GordonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet53.203169.163
910Johnny Benson Jr.MBV MotorsportsPontiac53.291168.884
1040Sterling MarlinChip Ganassi Racing with Felix SabatesDodge53.303168.846
1118Bobby LabonteJoe Gibbs RacingPontiac53.327168.770
128Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet53.329168.764
1320Tony StewartJoe Gibbs RacingPontiac53.429168.448
149Bill ElliottEvernham MotorsportsDodge53.439168.416
1593Dave BlaneyBill Davis RacingDodge53.466168.331
1677Robert PressleyJasper MotorsportsFord53.483168.278
1792Stacy ComptonMelling RacingDodge53.488168.262
1899Jeff BurtonRoush RacingFord53.491168.253
194Kevin LepageMorgan–McClure MotorsportsChevrolet53.536168.111
2032Ricky CravenPPI MotorsportsFord53.567168.014
2101Jason Leffler (R)Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix SabatesDodge53.579167.976
222Rusty WallacePenske Racing SouthFord53.586167.954
2315Michael WaltripDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet53.593167.932
2417Matt KensethRoush RacingFord53.602167.904
2512Jeremy MayfieldPenske Racing SouthFord53.699167.601
2633Joe NemechekAndy Petree RacingChevrolet53.757167.420
2711Brett BodineBrett Bodine RacingFord53.758167.417
2843John AndrettiPetty EnterprisesDodge53.892167.001
2955Bobby HamiltonAndy Petree RacingChevrolet53.896166.988
3090Hut StricklinDonlavey RacingFord53.946166.833
3114Ron Hornaday Jr. (R)A. J. Foyt EnterprisesPontiac53.965166.775
327Mike WallaceUltra MotorsportsFord53.979166.731
3321Elliott SadlerWood Brothers RacingFord54.021166.602
3422Ward BurtonBill Davis RacingDodge54.041166.540
3597Kurt Busch (R)Roush RacingFord54.200166.052
3631Robby GordonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet54.273165.828
Provisionals
3788Dale JarrettRobert Yates RacingFord54.754164.372
381Steve ParkDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet54.308165.721
3925Jerry NadeauHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet54.366165.545
405Terry LabonteHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet54.613164.796
4144Buckshot JonesPetty EnterprisesDodge54.476165.210
4245Kyle PettyPetty EnterprisesDodge54.452165.283
4327Rick MastEel River RacingPontiac54.433165.341
Failed to qualify
4449Andy HillenburgBAM RacingPontiac54.877164.003
4585Carl LongMansion MotorsportsFord55.640161.754
Official qualifying results

Race results

Fin[10] StDriverTeamMakeLapsLedStatusPtsWinnings
11118Bobby LabonteJoe Gibbs RacingPontiac2004running180$189,427
2128Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet20031running175$119,923
31320Tony StewartJoe Gibbs RacingPontiac2000running165$91,800
4149Bill ElliottEvernham MotorsportsDodge2001running165$90,948
5910Johnny Benson Jr.MBV MotorsportsPontiac2008running160$68,895
6222Rusty WallacePenske Racing SouthFord2000running150$88,555
736Mark MartinRoush RacingFord2004running151$86,116
8824Jeff GordonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet200121running152$96,992
91677Robert PressleyJasper MotorsportsFord2000running138$63,025
102032Ricky CravenPPI MotorsportsFord2000running134$50,465
11228Ricky RuddRobert Yates RacingFord20023running135$73,612
12726Jimmy SpencerHaas-Carter MotorsportsFord2001running132$58,435
13381Steve ParkDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet2000running124$65,908
142417Matt KensethRoush RacingFord2003running126$46,840
15519Casey Atwood (R)Evernham MotorsportsDodge2000running118$41,915
161040Sterling MarlinChip Ganassi Racing with Felix SabatesDodge2000running115$54,776
17436Ken SchraderMB2 MotorsportsPontiac2000running112$50,405
182512Jeremy MayfieldPenske Racing SouthFord2000running109$76,799
192315Michael WaltripDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet2000running106$43,765
20629Kevin Harvick (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet2000running103$83,667
212101Jason Leffler (R)Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix SabatesDodge2000running100$48,090
221593Dave BlaneyBill Davis RacingDodge2000running97$36,415
232633Joe NemechekAndy Petree RacingChevrolet1990running94$64,360
243925Jerry NadeauHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet1990running91$43,765
25327Mike WallaceUltra MotorsportsFord1980running88$43,940
263321Elliott SadlerWood Brothers RacingFord1980running85$53,390
272843John AndrettiPetty EnterprisesDodge1980running82$70,267
283631Robby GordonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet1980running79$64,414
292955Bobby HamiltonAndy Petree RacingChevrolet1970running76$39,915
303114Ron Hornaday Jr. (R)A. J. Foyt EnterprisesPontiac1970running73$31,765
314245Kyle PettyPetty EnterprisesDodge1960running70$32,115
321792Stacy ComptonMelling RacingDodge1950running67$31,465
332711Brett BodineBrett Bodine RacingFord1940running64$31,265
34405Terry LabonteHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet1920running61$63,770
354327Rick MastEel River RacingPontiac1920running58$30,440
361899Jeff BurtonRoush RacingFord1881running60$76,061
373597Kurt Busch (R)Roush RacingFord1870running52$38,225
383422Ward BurtonBill Davis RacingDodge1840crash49$63,310
394144Buckshot JonesPetty EnterprisesDodge1830running46$38,125
403090Hut StricklinDonlavey RacingFord1770running43$30,050
413788Dale JarrettRobert Yates RacingFord1521crash45$75,027
42194Kevin LepageMorgan–McClure MotorsportsChevrolet1480crash37$29,950
43166Todd BodineHaas-Carter MotorsportsFord1282handling39$37,876
Failed to qualify
4449Andy HillenburgBAM RacingPontiac
4585Carl LongMansion MotorsportsFord
Official race results

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Utter . Jim . July 29, 2001 . Labonte liked chances toward end of 500 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20011205012805/http://www.thatsracin.com/01/0729/0730500lede.htm . December 5, 2001 . July 7, 2022 . ThatsRacin.
  2. News: Fleischman . Bill . July 30, 2001 . 'Tunnelvision' helps Labonte win at Pocono . 17 . Lancaster New Era . July 7, 2022 . Newspapers.com.
  3. Web site: Rodman . Dave . July 30, 2001 . Labonte takes first win of 2001 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20011222080948/http://www.nascar.com/2001/NEWS/07/29/labonte_wins/index.html . December 22, 2001 . July 7, 2022 . NASCAR . Turner Sports Interactive.
  4. Web site: Jayski's Silly Season Site - 2001 Pocono 2 Race Info Page . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20020213131849/http://jayski.thatsracin.com/next/2001/2001poc2.htm . February 13, 2002 . July 7, 2022 . Jayski's Silly Season Site.
  5. Web site: July 27, 2001 . Winston Cup practice speeds . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20011205013936/http://www.thatsracin.com/01/0729/0728practice.htm . December 5, 2001 . July 7, 2022 . ThatsRacin.
  6. Web site: July 28, 2001 . Winston Cup practice speeds (first session) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20011106200128/http://www.thatsracin.com/01/0729/0729practice.htm . November 6, 2001 . July 7, 2022 . ThatsRacin.
  7. Web site: July 28, 2001 . Happy Hour practice speeds . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20011205015049/http://www.thatsracin.com/01/0729/0729happy.htm . December 5, 2001 . July 7, 2022 . ThatsRacin.
  8. Web site: Jayski's Silly Season Site - 2002 Provisional/Owners Points Page . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050205192304/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2002/2002prov.htm . February 5, 2005 . March 3, 2022 . Jayski's Silly Season Site.
  9. Web site: July 27, 2001 . Todd Bodine wins NASCAR pole . July 7, 2022 . UPI . en.
  10. Web site: 2002 Pocono 500 - The Third Turn . 2022-03-04 . www.thethirdturn.com . en.