Jason Leffler Darlington II race notes

DARLINGTON, S.C. (September 2, 2001) - The No. 01 Cingular Wireless Dodge R/T driven by rookie driver Jason Leffler finished 43rd in the Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

Leffler started the event in 38th position and moved up to 30th place by lap 55. On lap 77, a caution in front of the No. 01 Cingular Wireless Dodge slowed down traffic but Leffler was unable to slow in time to avoid contact with Ron Hornaday's No. 14 car. The contact made a hole in the radiator so the team took the car behind the wall on lap 90 to repair the damages. Unfortunately, during the repairs, the radiator overheated and blew the motor. The Cingular Wireless team had to pack up early and settle for a 43rd place finish.

"It looks like we knocked a hole in the radiator," Leffler said. "I got in that deal in the backstretch with Michael Waltrip and Ron Hornaday. I got into the rear end of Hornaday, and that's what knocked the hole in the radiator. I learned you've got to watch out for those cautions."

Later in the event, Leffler was able to gain experience and get some track time at Darlington Raceway in the No. 44 car. He took over for Buckshot Jones on lap 197 and finished the event bringing the team a 35th place finish.

"Buckshot has the flu and was feeling bad so they asked me to take over driving the 44 car because we're about the same size," Leffler said. "It would have been hard for them to get anybody else since he's small like me. It was good because I got a lot of laps and experience."

Next on the schedule for the No. 01 Cingular Wireless team is the Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 at Richmond on Saturday, Sept. 8.

-cgr