Indianapolis Raceway Park, a sprawling complex just 10 miles from the historic Brickyard, was the site of the Busch Series Kroger 200. The 2/3 mile track is narrow and modestly banked by NASCAR's standards, and has been the sight of some one the Busch Series' most exciting finishes.
The top of the qualifying order included several of the Busch Series' most promising young drivers. Shane Hmiel took the pole, joined on the front row by veteran driver David Green. Behind them, 19 year old Brian Vickers, NASCAR's youngest full time competitor, and 18 year old Kyle Busch, younger brother of Winston Cup driver Kurt, started in the 3rd and 4th positions.
Shane Hmiel took full advantage of his starting position, taking an early lead and holding off Brian Vickers to lead the entire first half of the event. The first and only caution of the first half came on lap 21, when Joey Clanton made contact with Martin Truex while attempting a pass. Both cars spun into the fence, and Stacy Compton, unable to avoid the crash, made it a 3 car incident. Clanton retired to the garage, but both Truex and Compton continued racing. Just before the restart, Bobby Hamilton Jr.'s car began smoking, causing NASCAR to wave off the restart to allow him to make it to the garage.
Lap traffic gave Vickers the opportunity he needed to pass Hmiel on lap 108. The second caution of the day came when Dana White spun after a bump from behind, and the leaders headed into the pits. Ron Hornaday won the race off of pit road to take the lead from Vickers, who left the pits in the 3rd spot. On the restart, Vickers edged past Hornaday to reclaim the lead just seconds before the caution flew again when Ashton Lewis and Kyle Busch wrecked in turn 1.
Shane Hmiel retook the lead in traffic on lap 134, only to find Brian Vickers on his bumper, fighting for the top spot. The pair raced side by side for nearly 30 laps, making contact several times as they battled for position, before Vickers took the lead on lap 181. As Vickers held on for the first win of his career, Hmiel and Scott Wimmer battled for the second spot, making contact and spinning in turn 3 of the white flag lap. Both recovered to race back to the checkered flag and finish 4th and 12th respectively.
Unofficial Results
- Brian Vickers
- Jason Keller
- Stacy Compton
- Shane Hmiel
- Scott Riggs
- David Green
- Mike Skinner
- Ron Hornaday
- Paul Menard
- Mike Bliss
Unofficial Standings
- Scott Riggs
- David Green -7
- Jason Keller -35
- Ron Hornaday -58
- Brian Vickers -99
- Bobby Hamilton Jr. -302
- Scott Wimmer -334
- Johnny Sauter -362
- Shane Hmiel -388
- Stacy Compton -452
