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 Atlanta Motor Speedway).
LEEROY YARBROUGH BATTLES FLU AND COMPETITION FOR ATLANTA WIN
The date was Aug. 10, 1969. LeeRoy Yarbrough, driver of the Junior Johnson-owned Ford, battled a virus the days leading up to the Dixie 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (then Atlanta International Raceway).
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.
Feeling weak throughout the 334-lap event, Yarbrough had to pace himself physically. He not only had to battle the competition, but also the unforgiving southern August heat. Yarbrough prevailed.
Yarbrough took the lead from Richard Petty with 32 laps remaining and wasn’t closely challenged the rest of the race. He led 144 laps on the 1.5-mile oval and led a five-car Ford sweep. Finishing a strong second was David Pearson followed by Petty, Charlie Glotzbach, and Donnie Allison. However, the bug he had been battling took its toll.
“I have been sick with the flu for about 10 days,” Yarbrough said in the press box. “I took a shot this morning and feel a little better, but there were six guys out there today who were really determined to win. I can say this is as tough a race as I’ve run this year.”
That was a TUMS day.
