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four victories to his credit, one more thpn DuHamel, and two more than Springsteen and Nixon. They were the only four riders to win series finals. Eight riders took to the track .for the final race, Don Emde sitting out after injuring 'his right leg and ankle in the crash which took Reiman's life. Eddie Mulder jumped to the front until Aldana took the lead entering the West End Horseshoe on the first lap. Nixon, DuHamel, Springsteen and Pridmore followed onto the banking where the front group went six wide down the· back straight in.to the chicane. Nixon was in front until they left the chicane when he got shuffled back to third behind Pridmore and Aldana, then Duhamel. "I just got the tire, warmed up and took a little time to get used to everything," DuHamel said. "I'm not 20 years old anymore. Then some of ·'those guys started leaving, and I had to get going. They caught me sleeping. I was a little surprised when Gary (Nixon) caught me in the chicane." Pridmore held the lead from Nixon ;md Aldana on the second lap, the top five trying to make a clean break, with Mulder holding on to the tail end of the lead pack as positions shuffled constantly. "The wind changed on us, and it kicked the rev limiter," Nixon, the 56year-old two-time Grand National Champion, said. "My secret was to cut the windscre'en down. It helped on Monday, but the wind changed, and it wasn't a big advantage today." . Aldana was next to lead, taking it through the infield on the third lap, only to be challenged, and passed, by DuHamel on the East Banking on the third lap. Aldana got it back and he and DuHamel exchanged it over the course of the next lap, with Nixon holding in third ·ahead of Springsteen and Pridmore in fifth after a bobble in the chicane. After them there was a gap to the next three who had lost touch with the .• leaders. On the last lap Nixon passed DuHamel and. went after Aldana, the other two 'right there and the race ran down the back stretch for the final drive to the flag. The final-stretch run would prove decisive as DuHamel kept it low on . the banking to just beat Springste~ to the line. Nixon was next, then Pridmore. "I've been in some races here, but there were five guys out there who could have won it," Nixon said. "I was last most of the time, but I think in the chicane someone let me into second. . "Aldana helped me set the bike up. And just being able to ride with Springer makes me feel young again," Nixon added. "The wind really affected the bikes today," Aldana, 47, said. "I couldn't draft anybody, and then I couldn't pass them unless I went underneath them on the infield. It's upsetting. I thought I was the fastest guy out there, but you can't win 'em all." "I had a little funny going on in the chicane, and I lost the draft but picked it up again," the 57-year-old Pridmore said. "It's just that the top five guys were all within 10 feet of each other. It's a good show when it's like that. It could have been anybady's race." fN Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida Res",lts:'March 7, 1997 (Bound 3 of 3) I:EGENOS: 1. YVQo DuHamel; 2. Gary Nixon; 3. Reg Pridmore; 4. Jay Springsteen; S. Dave Aldana; 6. Don Vesco; 7. Eddie Mulder; 8. Mark 'Brelsford. Join us for any 1, 2 or 3 races. Cross the Alps on motorcycle, car or train. Great hotels. Unbelievable race tickets. This is the trip of a lifetime! Flexible dates~ Singles, couples, friends welcome. ~ Call for brochure or information. ~~~ --- , .....rl. , .