Random Recap: The 2002 Sirius Satellite Radio at the Glen
Welcome to Random Recaps, a weekly feature at From The Marbles. In this space, we’ll recap a random race from the past at the track the where Sprint Cup Series is racing next.This week’s race is the 2002 Sirius Satellite Radio at the Glen. And as always, Random Recap is truly random thanks to Random.org.
Tony Stewart’s tumultuous week ended in victory lane.
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A week after punching a photographer following the Brickyard 400, Stewart won the Sirius at the Glen handily, pulling away from Ryan Newman and Robby Gordon on a one-lap sprint to the finish.
The race had been red-flagged for Kenny Wallace’s crash in turn one.
Stewart was put on probation by his Joe Gibbs Racing team before the race and fined $50,000 for his actions by NASCAR. He had finished 12th (after running as high as third) and pulled his car into an empty garage area after the race. He was being photographed as he walked away from his car and punched a freelance photographer for the Indianapolis Star.
He’s also agreed to undergo anger management counseling.
Stewart knew that the restart was imperative with only one green flag lap left in the race so he went very slowly behind the pace car. After the pace car pulled off the track, Stewart suddenly stomped on the gas – perhaps a bit early – and created a huge gap on Newman and the rest of the field. He ended up winning by 1.6 seconds.
Stewart started third and led a race-high 34 laps. He passed Newman for the lead with 19 laps to go.
Points leader Sterling Marlin finished 30th while Mark Martin finished 10th. Martin, who is in second in the standings, is now 53 points behind Marlin. Jimmie Johnson, who finished 16th, is third, 56 points back. Stewart is fourth, 104 points behind Marlin.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
