Catchfence

Drivers Discuss Meaning of Weather-Shortened Race Wins

Huntersville, N.C. (July 1, 2009) – Is a win really a win if the checkered flag never waved? Rain-shortened races, like last weekend’s at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, always start a debate over the validity of the victory.

Drivers Bobby Labonte, John Andretti and Alli Owens weigh in on the conversation:

Bobby Labonte, Driver No. 96 Ask.com Ford and President of Breaking Limits:

“I think if you ask any driver, they’ll tell you a win is a win. Because when you think about it, the end of a complete race might have fluke circumstances, too. The leaders could all crash on the last lap and a fifth-place car could squeak by for the win.

“So, when you know weather is coming, I think part of any team’s strategy should include how to be close to the front just in case. It’s all part of racing. And years from now when we look back at the records, a win in a rain-shortened race is going to look exactly like a win in a complete race.”

John Andretti, Driver, No. 34 Window World Chevrolet:

“As the years go by, no one is going to remember that you won a race because of the weather. There have been winners of the Indianapolis 500, and you know I love that race, that won because it was rain-shortened. They still put your face on the Borg-Warner Trophy with everyone else, whether you won because of the weather or not. That’s the way it is.

“But I think when you lay your head down at night, there’s always a bit more satisfaction seeing the checkered flag and not having any questions raised about whether you would have won or not. They don’t put an asterisk next to your name, though. For the record books it’s all the same, but personally, there’s more appreciation if you see the checkered flag.”

Alli Owens, Driver, No. 19 ElectrifyingCareers.com Toyota (ARCA RE/MAX Series):

“A win is a win. You still get a trophy, a check to take home and your name in the record books whether you ran the full distance or not. From a driver standpoint, though, I hope my first major win comes from taking the checkered flag. I’d never be disappointed to win a race, but I think it will be more gratifying to out-race the field.”

- Breaking Limits Marketing (A Bobby Labonte Company), Press Release