Sunday, March 16, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
Green, who started from the pole in a Chevrolet, led 70 of the 200 laps on the 1 1/2 -mile oval. He earned $89,250, the second-highest amount ever won by a driver in the 16-year history of the series.
A crowd of 81,000 saw the $885,275 race.
"It took me 100 races to win this one," said the 34-year-old Green, who drives for Gary Bechtel. "I hope it doesn't take another 100 to win my second."
NASCAR Winston Cup Series regular Joe Nemechek appeared to be the favorite when the green flag dropped, leading the first 38 laps of the race before being sidelined due to a multi-car accident on lap 122.
Dick Trickle, who finished second in a Chevy, appeared well on his way to his win first Busch victory late in the event. But he couldn't stay with Green.
Defending series champion Randy LaJoie experienced engine problems early in the race, and finished 29th in his Chevy, 39 laps behind Green.
"Nothing went right for us all week," LaJoie said. "We wrecked the car in qualifying, and had to use our backup car.
"Then the ignition went bad to start the race."
Todd Bodine, third in a Pontiac, has a 35-point advantage in the point standings over second-place Phil Parsons, and a 99-point advantage over LaJoie.
Steele wound up fifth in his Chevy, one spot behind the Ford of Michael Waltrip.
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