Triumph in Talladega!Start - 14th | Competitors - 18| High - 1st| Low - 14th | Finish - 1st
The racing gods were shining on the ECI Enterprises AMSOIL Pontiac as the team had a stellar race and pulled off a thrilling victory with a last lap pass. Settling in the rear of the field, the strategy was to ride along and avoid the 'big one'. The AMSOIL Pontiac hung on to the back of the lead lap draft and dodged several melees. Racing clean and conservative, the AMSOIL team let the race come to them.
After a mid race caution, six cars broke away to form the lead lap draft to settle it amongst themselves. Several strong runners kept the pressure on up front while the AMSOIL Pontiac counted down the laps to strike. With ten to go the spotter gave the call that it was time to go. With all the fellow MINT motorsports drivers damaged and off the pace, Inglin had to work with anyone that could advance the position.
Like a chess match at 200 miles per hour, a decision was made and Stan Nickle was the driver to go with. Teammates David Gray and Bruce Walsh made a high line charge on then leader Nickle. Pulling down from the fourth position, the logical choice was to help propel the DuPont Chevy of Nickle in hopes of a charge to the front. Four cars running side by side, inches apart to the finish. Unfortunately for Walsh, a brush with the turn two wall ended his bid and positioned Gray, Nickle, and Inglin to battle it out.
One lap to go and it was Gray and Nickle out front with the game Inglin looking for an opening. Nickle tried to go high on the leader going into turn three on the final lap while Inglin jumped to the bottom and stole second away in turn three. Holding the car low and then sweeping off the fourth turn, Inglin let the car run high in order to carry all the momentum he could. Gray was blocking down low and moved high for the block. Inglin, with a head of steam, pulled the cross over and got a nose under Gray's Chevy. It was a drag race to the start finish line and the AMSOIL Pontiac edged ahead for the victory right at the tri-oval!
