Race of the week- 2000 Pennsylvania 500

July 29, 3:12 PMAtlanta NASCAR ExaminerJeremy Dunn

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Many Dale Earnhardt fans would claim that karma caused Jeremy Mayfield’s misfortune at Pocono in July of 2000.  Recall, six weeks earlier, Dale Earnhardt appeared well on his way to his second win of the 2000 campaign.  On the final turn of the Pocono 500, Mayfield brazenly bumped Earnhardt out of the way, en route to this victory.

Mayfield showed no remorse towards the furious Earnhardt.  Earnhardt had played that card several times before, but he did not like it when the tables were turned.  Earnhardt Nation turned on Mayfield.

As the Winston Cup series returned to Pocono, Mayfield and Earnhardt were once again favorites to win the race.  However, Earnhardt had tire issues early in the race.  Mayfield grabbed the lead late in the race, and appeared to be on his way to the Pocono sweep. 

His Penske Racing teammate Rusty Wallace, as well as Jeff Burton, who arguably had the fastest car late in the race, were in hot pursuit.  Mayfield led the field to the white flag and into the tunnel turn (turn two).  Unfortunately, the Penske Racing Ford had a tire going down, and it erupted an the most inopportune time. 

Mayfield watched helplessly as Rusty Wallace, Jeff Burton, and others flew by.  Mayfield finished in the tenth position, as Wallace earned his second of four wins in 2000.  Penske Racing won both races at Pocono in 2000.

Previously featured races:

• 1998 Daytona 500
• 1983 Carolina 500 at Rockingham
• 1986 Miller High Life 400 at Richmond
• 2001 Cracker Barrel 500 at Atlanta
• 1989 Holly Farms 400 at North Wilkesboro
• 1990 Valleydale Meats 500 at Bristol
• 1999 Goody's 500 at Martinsville
• 2004 Samsung Radio Shack 500 at Texas
• 1963 Motor Trend 500 at Riverside
• 2007 Subway Fresh Fit 500k at Phoenix
• 1977 Winston 500 at Talladega
• 1998 Exide Batteries 400 at Richmond
• 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington
• 1987 The Winston at Charlotte
• 2005 Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte
• 1985 Delaware 500 at Dover
• 2000 Pocono 500 at Pocono
• 1982 Champion Spark Plug 400 at Michigan
• 1991 Banquet 300 at Sonoma
• 1994 Slick 50 300 at New Hampshire
• 1984 Firecracker 400 at Daytona
• 2006 USG Sheetrock  400 at Chicagoland
• 1994 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis