(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 New Hampshire Motor Speedway).
Long effort pays off, Nemechek wins at New Hampshire
The date was Sept. 19, 1999. Joe Nemechek enjoyed his first career Sprint Cup victory, leading the final third of the Dura Lube / Kmart 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
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.
Nemechek’s win came just a week after rookie Tony Stewart won his first NASCAR event at Richmond. It marked the first time for back-to-back new winners since Pete Hamilton and James Hylton did so in 1970 at Daytona and Richmond.
Rusty Wallace, Stewart and Nemechek dominated the race in thirds. Nemechek, who led only 10 laps all season before New Hampshire, led twice for 72 en route to his first victory.
“To win in at this level has always been a dream for me,” Nemechek said. “We’ve had great runs this season and knew a win could come. I knew I could do this. I’ve worked for this win a long time.”
