Pretty at Pocono... | More >> | 2004 Recap Archive | 2003 Race Archive
Start - 13th | Competitors - 21| High - 2nd | Low - 18th | Finish - 3rd | analyzer report
What a change of fortune. Who would have thought that a long overdue top five finish would have come at Pocono. The timing couldn't have been better as the chase for the championship point standings is tightening up each and every week. A third place finish was just what the doctor ordered. The team hit on something in qualifying. Reviewing footage from the spring race paid dividends and although not the fastest car on the night, there was a moment were victory was legitimately in sight. Twenty-one drivers took to the grid and the racing was door to door with heart pounding action lap after lap.
Unlucky thirteen was the starting slot for the AMSOIL mount and Kevin made great strides in the early going, surging to 8th in the opening laps. The down point of the race came when Kevin misjudged a breaking point and got into the back of his teammate Dan Bailey. Dan made hard impact on the turn two wall but was able to continue, albeit off the pace.
This Pocono race is one of the longest of the season and starting at 9:30; it lasted just past midnight. What took place was some dueling strategies, dicing for competition all around the track and tight drafts of four, five, six and more cars that could be covered by a blanket. Kevin and fellow New Jerseyan Stan Nickel ran several thrilling side-by-side laps in the middle segment.
The turning point came in the latter stages of the race. The crew chief called the ECI Express Chevy into the pits to top off so that Kevin could go the distance. This helped when a late race caution came about and everyone ducked in. Kevin stayed out and found himself in third place. Just laps from the end he was able to duck under last weeks winner Scott Olson and challenge eventual winner Norm Adkins for the win. Norm held the game Inglin at bay lap after lap but Inglin appeared faster and was looking for the slightest slip. Unfortunately the slip came in turn three as Kevin had a nose outside the Bud Ice Chevy. Kevin had to take evasive maneuvers and Scott Olson was right there capitalize and retook the runner-up spot.
The final ten laps were run with the top three nose-to-tail.
