A TUMS’ “Fights back fast” MOMENT
(For each of the 36 races during the 2011 Sprint Cup season, TUMS will provide a brief historical recap of a moment when a team fought back to overcome an obstacle, one that can easily be described as a TUMS “Fights Back Fast” Moment. This week, the focus is on Charlotte Motor Speedway).
BENNY PARSONS EARNS WIN AFTER SEVEN-HOUR COCA-COLA 600 RACE
The date was May 25, 1980. The May 1980 running of the Coca-Cola 600 proved to be one of the longest races in the track’s 50-year history, thanks to an afternoon of heavy rain showers. The 400-lap race lasted over seven hours due to two lengthy red flag periods and 14 cautions.
NOTE: TUMS is the sponsor of the TUMS Fast Relief 500, the seventh race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, at Martinsville Speedway on October 30.
Tire issues took out stars Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Allison, David Pearson and Cale Yarborough but at the end, the race came down to drivers Benny Parsons and Darrell Waltrip in a fierce battle for the win.
The lead changed between the two drivers seven times in the final 20 laps before Parsons fought back for the lead and held it by a car length over Waltrip at the checkered flag.
“It’s nice to win, and a very thrilling experience to be part of a race that close,” Parsons said in victory lane. “Second place would have been very difficult to swallow.”
Similar to TUMS, Parsons’ dedication to speed pushed him to fight back fast and steal the win from Waltrip.
