Nemechek Posts Third Career Busch Series Win in GNC Live Well 300 at Miami

Harvick Celebrates Busch Series Championship

MIAMI (Nov. 10, 2001) - Joe Nemechek, a native of Lakeland, Fla., played the right pit strategy and captured his third career Busch Series victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday in the GNC Live Well 300.

Nemechek came in for a final pit stop took two tires and gas while leader Elton Sawyer opted to take four fresh tires and gas. Nemechek was able to pull away from Sawyer and seized the lead with less than six laps remaining from rookie Scott Wimmer, who stretched his fuel tank and didn't pit.

"I had no idea who the leader was," Nemechek said. "I came out and I was battling with the No. 98. He was the man. That was my only concern. I got past him and they said I was running second. I said, 'What?' I knew I was catching him fast and that he had still not pitted. He was a sitting duck because there's no replacement for tires, especially Goodyear tires here."

Kevin Harvick dominated the GNC Live Well 300 in his No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet, leading three times for 128 laps, but his engine expired on Lap 161. But he wasn't too disappointed and returned to the track after the completion of the race to celebrate his 2001 Busch Series championship.

"That was something that we really wanted to do," said Harvick about driving the No. 3 flag onto the track after the race. "A lot of the guys had decided but they didn't tell me until we got here today. That was a pretty special moment I think for all of us. That's what our year's been based off of is Dale Earnhardt. Not only our year, but he and Richard are the ones who built everything that we've gotten. To pay tribute to what kept us going was I think pretty special to everybody."

Sawyer, carrying the colors of the University of Miami on his No. 98 Starter Ford, took second-place honors while Raybestos Rookie of the Year Greg Biffle finished third in the No. 60 Grainger Ford.

Tickets for Sunday's Pennzoil 400 can be purchased at the gate, which opens at 8 a.m. or by calling (305) 230-RACE.