Wallace Goes Flying After Bristol Crash

[Mom23boys]

By JENNA FRYER BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) - Rusty Wallace was up - and flying - Sunday, a day after a hard wreck at Bristol sent him to the hospital.

Wallace was seen Saturday night at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center after plowing into Michael Waltrip's car early in the Sharpie 500.

He was admittedly sore on Sunday, but Wallace didn't rest. Instead, the licensed pilot flew his daughter back to college in South Carolina.

``I have some really sore ribs and I bit the heck out of my tongue, but I've been up and moving around all morning long,'' Wallace said. ``If we had to race at Darlington tomorrow, I'd be right there ready to go.''

Wallace, Bristol's leader with nine career victories, was running in the 15th spot when Waltrip spun into the turn four wall. As he slid back down the track, Wallace couldn't avoid slamming right into him.

Wallace finished 43rd and was transported to the hospital for a CT scan.

``I did all I could to avoid hitting (Waltrip). I'm just glad that we both came out of that one OK,'' he said. ``I haven't seen the tape of the crash yet, and several people have told me that I might not want to see it.''

Wallace, who was in a special car commemorating both series sponsor R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and the late Alan Kulwicki, is having a rough season.

He's gone winless for almost two years, only has one top five finish this season and is 15th in the points standings.

``This season is beginning to remind me of our year in 1992 when we had all kinds of problems and just never could get things rolling along in the right direction,'' Wallace said. ``But as wacky as things are in the sport today, it would be just right for us to win at Darlington this week.''

Wallace is winless at Darlington in 39 races.




08/24/03

http://member.compuserve.com/sports/...90.htm&sc=3010

[mustang80]

To quote some of the drivers about the race, "That's Bristol"