APRIL 1998

All of the photographs below were taken before, during and after the Touchstone Energy 300, NASCAR Busch Grand National Event.  The Winston Cup action is either the Saturday morning practice session or "Happy Hour" before the Diehard 500.

A pack of cars pushes through turn 4 during the hazy Saturday morning practice session.

The Winston Cup boys approach the tri-oval.  There is nothing like having a pack of cars screaming by at 190 mph. to get the adrenaline flowing in the morning!  WHAT A RUSH!

That same pack of cars rolls through the Talladega tri-oval and into the distance only seconds later.

The pace car slips into the pits as Joe Nemecheck leads the pack toward the green flag.

Joe Nemecheck leads the group to the line to complete the first lap.  Notice the three-wide action this early in the race.  That will prove costly in the near future.

Elliot Sadler, in the 66 car, gets tangled up with the 92 car entering the tri-oval only a few laps into the event.  Hold on!  This is going to hurt!

The 66 and 92 cars collect the 60 car as they come across the track and slam into the fence in the middle of the tri oval.    The 89 car has hit the wall while attempting to avoid injury and comes across the track right in the path of the CFI sponsored Chevy.  Does anyone want to take bets on the outcome of that one?  This incidents ends the day of several drivers.  Luckily, everyone is okay after the smoke clears.

The Talladega Safety Crew is quick to the aid of the highly modified 92 car.

The 66 car gets a little assistance getting back to the garage. 

After Joe Nemecheck wins the Touchstone Energy 300, Dale Earnhardt rolls off the pits to begin Happy Hour.  This is the same car that will be on its side, the next day, in the Diehard 500 after Ward Burton taps Dale on the left rear in the tri-oval.  Dale received several facial burns from flames off the 94 car during that one.

The Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Burton and Bobby Labonte waiting their turn to head onto the track.

Dale Earnhardt's Number 3 tows a cluster of cars off turn 2 and onto the back stretch.

Bobby Labonte and others tuck up to Dale's bumper as Dale takes his black Chevy low in the tri-oval to pass Jeff Burton.  As you can see, everyone knows that the "Intimidator" rules here at Talladega.