Atwood misses out on maiden victory

Atwood finished third, his highest finish ever in a NASCAR Winston Cup race.

"I thought we had it," said Atwood. "We took two tyres on that last caution and it was a really good decision. We just didn't need that last caution. I think we had a four-second lead with 20 laps to go. I think we could have held them off from there. We just didn't need that caution. Our car got loose there because we took two tyres.

"They just wore out. I got loose and couldn't hold it. I knew I probably couldn't beat Bill after he got by me. I was just trying to get a 1-2 finish for Ray. We got too loose and I couldn't hold them off, but it was a good day for us," he added.

Atwood said battling his team mate for the win made him nervous. He could only imagine how it made his team owner, Ray Evernham, feel.

"I know Ray was up there about to have a heart attack, having both cars up there," Atwood said. "When you're racing that fast and the track is that slick, it doesn't take that much to get together and not mean to. Luckily, everything was fine. I think I got a little sideways right in front of him, but he was able to go on by me. I tried to hold him off. I wasn't going to do anything that would take us both out. I'd rather him win and me finish third than taking us both out."

Atwood has been the focal point of speculation regarding his future with the team. It is uncertain if he will be the team's second driver next year in Winston Cup because Jeremy Mayfield is rumoured to be in line for that ride in 2002.

"There really isn't a whole lot to talk about right now," said Atwood. "I think everybody has been doing a great job and Ray is just trying to make his team a better team. I'm going to be with Evernham Motorsports. I don't know in which way or which car I'll be driving right now. That will be discussed later, but I'll be driving for him, and I plan on being with him for a long time."