User:GeoffEighinger/1987 Busch Clash

1987 Busch Clash

The ninth annual Busch Clash took place on February 8, 1987 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. It was non-points event, the first race of 1987 Daytona Speedweeks. All pole sitters from 1986 and one wild card draw from the top 2nd Round qualifiers (Alan Kulwicki) were able to participate. Benny Parsons replaced the ailing Tim Richmond, who led all drivers with eight poles in 1986. Starting order was also a random draw.

Race Summary

 * Lap Leaders: Waltrip 1-7; Elliott 8-20
 * Caution Summary: 1 for 3 laps (did not count toward 20 lap race distance)
 * Race Speed: 197.802 mph (00:15:10)
 * TV: CBS (Host: Chris Economaki, Play-by-Play: Ken Squier, Analyst: Ned Jarrett, Pits: Mike Joy)
 * Grand Marshall: Hoyt Axton

Race Notes

 * Alan Kulwicki reached the starting line three minutes before the deadline after issues with his carburetor.
 * Lap 1: Immediately following the green flag, Dale Earnhardt cut down between Terry Labonte and Ricky Rudd. Labonte made contact with Rudd and both were too damaged to continue. Darrell Waltrip led back to the caution flag when leader Bill Elliott slowed. In his victory lane interview, Elliott said he thought the race would revert back to the original starting order.
 * Lap 8: Waltrip got out to a huge lead before Elliott and Geoff Bodine caught him. Elliott passed Waltrip to take the lead.
 * Lap 19: Bodine passed Waltrip for second place.
 * Elliott was the first Ford driver to win this event and also set the average speed record, which still stands to this day.
 * Tim Richmond phoned Ken Squier during the race and said he would be back in May.
 * Bonus Money was awarded for leading certain laps: Lap 5 - $10,000 (Waltrip), Lap 10 - $15,000 (Elliott), Lap 15 - $10,000 (Elliott).