Notebook: Sour day for Waltrip, Hamilton Jr.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Michael Waltrip was on cruise control, holding an easy lead on Bobby Hamilton Jr. as the Mr. Goodcents 300 wound down.

Mr. Goodcents 300  Unofficial Results  Unofficial Standings

But a not so funny thing happened as Waltrip was en route to his second Busch Series victory in three races. A right-front tire went down on Waltrip's No. 99 Chevrolet, and he bounced off the wall along the frontstretch.

The damage wasn't that bad, but Waltrip's day was done five laps short. With all the attrition Saturday, Waltrip ended up 24th. But that was hardly what he deserved.

Waltrip easily had the best car, passing at will and getting back to the lead any time he found himself in the pack. Driving his own car, Waltrip led six times for 140 of the race's 200 laps.

Hamilton Jr. drops from first to 19th

With Waltrip sidelined, the lead fell to Bobby Hamilton Jr. NASCAR hurriedly got Waltrip's car off the track to set up a one-lap dash to the checkered flag.

	Credit: Autostock

Hamilton Jr. didn't make it out of Turn 1.

His engine sputtered on the restart, and David Green dove inside. Greg Biffle tried to do the same, but he and Hamilton Jr. made contact, with Hamilton Jr. spinning into the outside wall.

"I was running high when they all went on the inside of me, and Biffle just run plum over me," Hamilton Jr. said. "But what do you expect? That's who you've got behind you."

Biffle had a different version

"Going down into Turn 1, I got a good run on the 37, but I was trying to pass him on the bottom, and he kept moving down, and I wasn't sure what he was doing," Biffle said. "Then I thought I would go around him on the top side. I jumped up top, and the 25 was there, and I didn't see him."

Biffle finished third, with Hamilton dropping to 19th, the first car one lap down. Hamilton Jr. was upset at Biffle, but he was also mad at NASCAR for restarting the race.

"It shouldn't have been a shootout," Hamilton Jr. said. "They had caution after caution. There were little balls of tape on the back straightaway.

"Michael Waltrip blows a tire, and there's rubber everywhere. They make the pace car run 25 mph. That's what they were hoping for, something to happen, I guess."

Goodyear's tires will be softer in 2004

Goodyear has been working on its tires for 2004, with plans to begin production on new compounds within the next month, said Greg Stucker, Goodyear's general manager of marketing for stock car racing.

	Credit: Autostock

Stucker said many compounds are close to being finalized, while others are still in the works. Generally, however, Stucker said tires should be softer next season. NASCAR has already told teams it will cut spoilers to reduce downforce, and Goodyear will help counter by providing tires with more grip.

"We sat down with NASCAR and reviewed what our plans are," Stucker said. "They're making some rules changes, so we've been in constant conversation with them about how we can work together on that package.

"It's safe to say that in general we're going to try to soften up our recommendations and provide a little bit more grip across the board."

Haas CNC Racing re-ups with NetZero

Haas CNC Racing recently signed driver Jason Leffler for the rest of this season and for 2004, and this weekend, they announced sponsor NetZero would return next year, too.

	Jason Leffler Credit: Autostock

"We're very happy to have NetZero HiSpeed back on board," Haas CNC team owner Gene Haas said. "Two thousand and three was a more difficult year than anyone could have imagined.

"The competition in this series is fierce, and we made a lot of changes to every aspect of our program to find the best fit.

"I think the combination we have now, with Jason Leffler, (crew chief) Tony Furr and NetZero HiSpeed is a match to be reckoned with. Everyone involved with Haas CNC Racing appreciates that the leadership at NetZero HiSpeed has been behind us with every twist and turn this year. I see 2004 as a year of great success and can't help but be excited about the possibilities for the future."

Jack Sprague started the season in the No. 0 car but was let go after the Chicago race.

	Tony Furr

John Andretti drove it at Pocono, with Leffler in it at Indianapolis, and Andretti at Watkins Glen before Leffler took over for good at Michigan.

Team officials said in Bristol on Aug. 22 that Leffler would be the full-time driver for 2004.

"Our first year in Winston Cup was definitely a learning experience," NetZero executive vice president and chief marketing officer Brian Woods said.

"There were ups and downs, but through it all we knew we were building for the future. We're looking forward to our sophomore season in this series.

"Gene Haas has put together a strong team and we couldn't imagine not being a part of its ultimate success. The excitement NASCAR and our association with Haas CNC Racing have brought to our organization and our program is second to none."

The team's best finish was a 14th in the Daytona 500, while Leffler's best showing was 25th at Dover. He failed to qualify at Talladega and starts sixth Sunday at Kansas.

Manufacturer's title almost over

Chevrolet is a victory away from clinching the manufacturer's championship for the 27th time since 1952. If a Monte Carlo wins the Banquet 400, Chevy clinches.

Chevrolet drivers have won 14 times this season, with Ford and Dodge tied for second at seven.

But Chevy holds a 207-173 advantage over Ford, with Dodge third at 157.