Jerry Nadeau No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet Monte Carlo Race Report

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Date:July 7, 2001 Event:Pepsi 400 Location:Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway Started:40th Finished:6th  Laps Run/Total:160/160 Points Position:  20th Laps Led:0 Race Winner:Dale Earnhart Jr. Race Summary: It was reminiscent of the Daytona 500 when the late Dale Earnhardt did some late blocking so his team's two young drivers -- Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- could take the checkered flag. Only at the Pepsi 400, Waltrip was blocking Bobby Labonte, allowing his teammate to win the race. The move came two laps from the finish, sending the Daytona International Speedway crowd into an uproar. It was an ending NASCAR and its fans couldn't have written better, coming on the same track where Earnhardt's dad lost his life in February. Jerry Nadeau and the UAW-Delphi team started the Pepsi 400 in the 40th position. Nadeau and crew chief Tony Furr had a plan to hang out in the back of the pack and just try to stay out of trouble. The plan worked to perfection, as Nadeau stayed around the 30th position for most of the race and started making his move with about 20 laps to go. With 18 laps to go the plan paid off when a multi-car accident occurred and Nadeau missed all the action. When the race returned to green, Nadeau found himself in the 17th position. After just one lap of green flag racing there was another caution when Jeff Gordon's oil line came loose, setting the stage for a six-lap shootout. After just three laps, Nadeau had moved the UAW-Delphi Monte Carlo all the way up to the fourth position. Thanks to courageous driving and a good game plan, Nadeau finished the Pepsi 400 in sixth place.