| Type: | NASWINSTON |
| Scheduled Km: | 644.542 |
| Pole Driver: | Todd Bodine |
| Pole Team: | Haas-Carter Motorsports |
| Most Driver: | Kevin Harvick |
| Network: | NBC |
| Most Laps: | 113 |
| Most Team: | Richard Childress Racing |
| First Driver: | Kevin Harvick |
| Car: | 29 |
| First Team: | Richard Childress Racing |
| Announcers: | Allen Bestwick, Benny Parsons, Wally Dallenbach Jr. |
| Radio: | Motor Racing Network |
| Avg: | 121.2mph |
| Distance Km: | 644.542 |
| Location: | Joliet, Illinois, Chicagoland Speedway |
| Course Km: | 2.41 |
| Distance Laps: | 267 |
| Scheduled Laps: | 267 |
| Scheduled Mi: | 400.5 |
| Course Mi: | 1.5 |
| Official Name: | Inaugural Tropicana 400 |
| Season No: | 36 |
| Race No: | 18 |
| Date: | July 15 |
| Race Name: | Tropicana 400 |
| Year: | 2001 |
| Pole Time: | 29.393 |
| Distance Mi: | 400.5 |
| Caption: | The 2001 Tropicana 400 program cover. |
The 2001 Tropicana 400 was the 18th stock car race of the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season and the inaugural running of the event. The race was held on July 15, 2001, in Joliet, Illinois at Chicagoland Speedway, a 1.5 mile (2.41 km) tri-oval speedway. The race took the scheduled 267 laps to complete. Kevin Harvick, driving for Richard Childress Racing, would dominate the late stages of the race to win his second career NASCAR Winston Cup Series win and his second and final win of the season.[1] [2] To fill out the podium, Robert Pressley of Jasper Motorsports and Ricky Rudd of Robert Yates Racing would finish second and third, respectively.
Chicagoland Speedway is a 1.5 miles (2.41 km) tri-oval speedway in Joliet, Illinois, southwest of Chicago. The speedway opened in 2001 and currently hosts NASCAR racing. Until 2011, the speedway also hosted the IndyCar Series, recording numerous close finishes including the closest finish in IndyCar history. The speedway is owned and operated by International Speedway Corporation and located adjacent to Route 66 Raceway.
The first practice session was held on Thursday, July 12, at 2:00 PM CST, and would last for an hour and 25 minutes. Bill Elliott of Evernham Motorsports would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 31.477 and an average speed of 171.554mph.[3]
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | Bill Elliott | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 29.574 | 182.593 | |
| 2 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske Racing | Ford | 29.588 | 182.506 | |
| 3 | 26 | Jimmy Spencer | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 29.633 | 182.402 | |
| Full first practice results | |||||||
The second practice session was held on Thursday, July 12, at 5:05 PM CST, and would last for an hour and 25 minutes. Mark Martin of Roush Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 31.477 and an average speed of 171.554mph.[4]
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 29.369 | 183.867 | |
| 2 | 25 | Jerry Nadeau | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 29.444 | 183.399 | |
| 3 | 26 | Jimmy Spencer | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 29.471 | 183.231 | |
| Full second practice results | |||||||
The third practice session was held on Friday, July 13, at 11:00 AM CST, and would last for an hour and 55 minutes. Todd Bodine of Haas-Carter Motorsports would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.347 and an average speed of 183.443mph.[5]
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 66 | Todd Bodine | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 29.347 | 183.443 | |
| 2 | 25 | Jerry Nadeau | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 29.475 | 183.206 | |
| 3 | 18 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 29.504 | 183.026 | |
| Full third practice results | |||||||
The fourth practice session was held on Saturday, July 14, at 11:30 AM CST, and would last for 45 minutes. Dale Jarrett of Robert Yates Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 30.158 and an average speed of 179.057mph.[6]
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 30.158 | 179.057 | |
| 2 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 30.181 | 178.921 | |
| 3 | 29 | Kevin Harvick (R) | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 30.195 | 178.838 | |
| Full fourth practice results | |||||||
The fifth and final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Saturday, July 14, at 1:00 PM CST, and would last for 45 minutes. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 30.142 and an average speed of 179.152mph.[7]
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 30.142 | 179.152 | |
| 2 | 26 | Jimmy Spencer | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 30.154 | 179.081 | |
| 3 | 1 | Steve Park | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 30.195 | 178.838 | |
| Full Happy Hour practice results | |||||||
Qualifying was held on Friday, July 13, at 3:05 PM CST. Each driver would have two laps to set a fastest time; the fastest of the two would count as their official qualifying lap.[8] 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.[9]
Todd Bodine of Haas-Carter Motorsports would win the pole, setting a time of 29.393 and an average speed of 183.7172mph.[10]
Four drivers would fail to qualify: Kyle Petty, Dave Marcis, Mike Bliss, and Shawna Robinson.
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 66 | Todd Bodine | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 29.393 | 183.7172 | |
| 2 | 26 | Jimmy Spencer | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 29.442 | 183.4115 | |
| 3 | 28 | Ricky Rudd | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 29.483 | 183.1564 | |
| 4 | 9 | Bill Elliott | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 29.545 | 182.7720 | |
| 5 | 33 | Joe Nemechek | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 29.615 | 182.3400 | |
| 6 | 29 | Kevin Harvick (R) | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 29.644 | 182.1617 | |
| 7 | 31 | Mike Skinner | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 29.661 | 182.0572 | |
| 8 | 25 | Jerry Nadeau | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 29.669 | 182.0082 | |
| 9 | 40 | Sterling Marlin | Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates | Dodge | 29.701 | 181.8121 | |
| 10 | 11 | Brett Bodine | Brett Bodine Racing | Ford | 29.722 | 181.6836 | |
| 11 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 29.733 | 181.6164 | |
| 12 | 36 | Ken Schrader | MBV Motorsports | Pontiac | 29.808 | 181.1594 | |
| 13 | 77 | Robert Pressley | Jasper Motorsports | Ford | 29.830 | 181.0260 | |
| 14 | 96 | Andy Houston (R) | PPI Motorsports | Ford | 29.842 | 180.9530 | |
| 15 | 01 | Jason Leffler (R) | Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates | Dodge | 29.846 | 180.9290 | |
| 16 | 14 | Ron Hornaday Jr. (R) | A. J. Foyt Racing | Pontiac | 29.847 | 180.9227 | |
| 17 | 19 | Casey Atwood | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 29.869 | 180.7894 | |
| 18 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 29.887 | 180.6806 | |
| 19 | 4 | Kevin Lepage | Morgan-McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | 29.898 | 180.6141 | |
| 20 | 21 | Elliott Sadler | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 29.899 | 180.6080 | |
| 21 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske Racing | Ford | 29.903 | 180.5840 | |
| 22 | 55 | Bobby Hamilton | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 29.912 | 180.5296 | |
| 23 | 43 | John Andretti | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 29.926 | 180.4450 | |
| 24 | 18 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 29.942 | 180.3487 | |
| 25 | 92 | Stacy Compton | Melling Racing | Dodge | 29.969 | 180.1860 | |
| 26 | 22 | Ward Burton | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 29.987 | 180.0780 | |
| 27 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 29.990 | 180.0600 | |
| 28 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 29.994 | 180.0360 | |
| 29 | 30 | Jeff Green | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 29.999 | 180.0060 | |
| 30 | 1 | Steve Park | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 30.027 | 179.8380 | |
| 31 | 97 | Kurt Busch | Roush Racing | Ford | 30.030 | 179.8202 | |
| 32 | 99 | Jeff Burton | Roush Racing | Ford | 30.044 | 179.7364 | |
| 33 | 32 | Ricky Craven | PPI Motorsports | Ford | 30.045 | 179.7304 | |
| 34 | 10 | Johnny Benson | MBV Motorsports | Pontiac | 30.046 | 179.7244 | |
| 35 | 93 | Dave Blaney | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 30.059 | 179.6467 | |
| 36 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | 30.085 | 179.4914 | |
| Provisionals | |||||||
| 37 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Roush Racing | Ford | - | - | |
| 38 | 12 | Jeremy Mayfield | Penske Racing | Ford | - | - | |
| 39 | 15 | Michael Waltrip | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | - | - | |
| 40 | 5 | Terry Labonte | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | - | - | |
| 41 | 7 | Robby Gordon | Ultra Motorsports | Ford | - | - | |
| 42 | 90 | Hut Stricklin | Donlavey Racing | Ford | - | - | |
| 43 | 44 | Buckshot Jones | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | - | - | |
| Failed to Qualify | |||||||
| 44 | 45 | Kyle Petty | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 30.102 | 179.4560 | |
| 45 | 71 | Dave Marcis | Marcis Auto Racing | Chevrolet | 30.300 | 178.2180 | |
| 46 | 27 | Mike Bliss | Eel River Racing | Pontiac | 30.495 | 177.0780 | |
| 47 | 84 | Shawna Robinson | Michael Kranefuss Racing | Ford | 30.807 | 175.2850 | |
| Official qualifying results | |||||||
| Fin.[11] | Driver | Team | Make | Laps | Led | Status | Pts | Winnings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 | Kevin Harvick (R) | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 267 | 113 | running | 185 | $162,500 | |
| 2 | 77 | Robert Pressley | Jasper Motorsports | Ford | 267 | 0 | running | 170 | $126,600 | |
| 3 | 28 | Ricky Rudd | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 267 | 25 | running | 170 | $112,600 | |
| 4 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 267 | 0 | running | 160 | $101,300 | |
| 5 | 26 | Jimmy Spencer | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 267 | 50 | running | 160 | $94,200 | |
| 6 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 267 | 20 | running | 155 | $77,100 | |
| 7 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Roush Racing | Ford | 267 | 0 | running | 146 | $70,650 | |
| 8 | 97 | Kurt Busch (R) | Roush Racing | Ford | 267 | 0 | running | 142 | $68,100 | |
| 9 | 40 | Sterling Marlin | Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates | Dodge | 267 | 0 | running | 138 | $65,900 | |
| 10 | 9 | Bill Elliott | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 267 | 0 | running | 134 | $71,080 | |
| 11 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt Inc. | Chevrolet | 267 | 0 | running | 130 | $70,800 | |
| 12 | 93 | Dave Blaney | Bill Davis Racing | Dodge | 267 | 0 | running | 127 | $54,800 | |
| 13 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske Racing | Ford | 267 | 0 | running | 124 | $69,300 | |
| 14 | 66 | Todd Bodine | Haas-Carter Motorsports | Ford | 267 | 6 | running | 126 | $58,300 | |
| 15 | 21 | Elliott Sadler | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 267 | 2 | running | 123 | $71,600 | |
| 16 | 33 | Joe Nemechek | Andy Petree Racing | Ford | 267 | 17 | running | 120 | $62,600 | |
| 17 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 267 | 0 | running | 112 | $68,300 | |
| 18 | 99 | Jeff Burton | Roush Racing | Ford | 266 | 0 | running | 109 | $69,100 | |
| 19 | 11 | Brett Bodine | Brett Bodine Racing | Ford | 266 | 0 | running | 106 | $52,000 | |
| 20 | 22 | Ward Burton | Bill Davis Raving | Dodge | 266 | 0 | running | 103 | $62,600 | |
| 21 | 32 | Ricky Craven | PPI Motorsports | Ford | 266 | 0 | running | 100 | $52,900 | |
| 22 | 15 | Michael Waltrip | Dale Earnhardt Inc. | Chevrolet | 266 | 0 | running | 97 | $57,900 | |
| 23 | 43 | John Andretti | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 266 | 0 | running | 94 | $58,900 | |
| 24 | 01 | Jason Leffler (R) | Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates | Dodge | 266 | 0 | running | 91 | $58,600 | |
| 25 | 5 | Terry Labonte | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 266 | 0 | running | 88 | $58,300 | |
| 26 | 92 | Stacy Compton | Melling Racing | Dodge | 266 | 0 | running | 85 | $50,500 | |
| 27 | 10 | Johnny Benson | MBV Motorsports | Pontiac | 266 | 3 | running | 87 | $57,900 | |
| 28 | 19 | Casey Atwood (R) | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 265 | 0 | running | 79 | $46,700 | |
| 29 | 36 | Ken Schrader | MBV Motorsports | Pontiac | 265 | 0 | running | 76 | $54,500 | |
| 30 | 55 | Bobby Hamilton | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 264 | 0 | running | 73 | $54,800 | |
| 31 | 90 | Hut Stricklin | Donlavey Racing | Ford | 262 | 0 | running | 70 | $46,100 | |
| 32 | 12 | Jeremy Mayfield | Penske Racing | Ford | 259 | 0 | running | 67 | $63,900 | |
| 33 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 257 | 0 | crash | 64 | $65,900 | |
| 34 | 4 | Kevin Lepage | Morgan-McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | 255 | 0 | crash | 61 | $45,500 | |
| 35 | 7 | Robby Gordon | Ultra Motorsports | Ford | 252 | 0 | crash | 58 | $53,300 | |
| 36 | 30 | Jeff Green | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 243 | 0 | engine | 55 | $45,100 | |
| 37 | 25 | Jerry Nadeau | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 239 | 25 | engine | 57 | $52,900 | |
| 38 | 44 | Buckshot Jones | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 184 | 0 | crash | 49 | $52,700 | |
| 39 | 18 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 168 | 2 | engine | 51 | $69,500 | |
| 40 | 14 | Ron Hornady Jr. (R) | A. J. Foyt Racing | Pontiac | 150 | 0 | engine | 43 | $44,300 | |
| 41 | 1 | Steve Park | Dale Earnhardt Inc. | Chevrolet | 134 | 0 | flywheel | 40 | $52,100 | |
| 42 | 31 | Mike Skinner | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 22 | 0 | crash | 37 | $51,900 | |
| 43 | 96 | Andy Houston (R) | PPI Motorsports | Ford | 3 | 0 | engine | 34 | $43,950 | |
| Official race results | ||||||||||