Qualifying
Kurt Busch won the Busch race from the pole on Saturday and started on the pole for today's NEXTEL Cup race. Fellow Dodge driver Kasey Kahne started second. Ryan Newman started third in his Dodge while Jeff Gordon qualified fourth in his Hendrick Chevrolet. Gordon's Hendrick teammate Jimmie Johnson rounded out the top five.
Once again the Ford teams struggled in qualifying. Elliott Sadler was the top qualifying Ford with his twelfth place starting spot.
Drop The Green Flag
Right at the drop of the green Kasey Kahne got into the back of pole-sitter Kurt Busch and ran him off the track. Busch managed a great save settling back into sixth place. On the very next lap Kurt Busch used his front bumper to take a spot back from Kahne aggressively. This was a nice piece of payback as both drivers continued on.
Ryan Newman had the early lead as Kurt Busch worked his way back up through the leaders. On a lap six restart Kurt Busch got under Newman for the lead and set sail. Kurt Busch lead the bulk of the first half of the race.
Storylines
Pit strategy played out early as Kevin Harvick and some others took their first scheduled pit stop as early as lap eighteen. This set them up perfectly to run exactly to the end on fuel.
On a road course you calculate your pit stops backwards. Figure out how far you can go on a tank of fuel and pit as early as possible. This is because it takes so long to complete a lap that you want to avoid pitting during the caution in order to gain track position.
Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and a handful of others all pitted on lap 54 for their final stops of the day. The caution flag flew right then allowing them to come all the way around and gain a ton of free track position. This was perfect good luck for these drivers. Setting them up for a good finish.
Chasing The Checkers
Kevin Harvick had the lead when the green flag flew after that caution. Harvick continued to lead as the race was winding down towards the finish.
A late restart came with nine laps to go. Kevin Harvick had the lead as Tony Stewart, Jamie McMurray and Robby Gordon followed him to the green flag. On the restart Jamie McMurray peeked under Stewart but couldn't get around him in turn one. Up the backstretch Tony Stewart got a huge run and took the lead.
The final restart came with just five laps to go. Stewart lead over Harvick, McMurray and Robby Gordon. On the restart the top four stayed in line. As they came to the line with three to go Harvick had a great run under Stewart and took over the top spot. Harvick drove it hard to the checkers and held on for the win.
Top Ten
- Kevin Harvick
- Tony Stewart
- Jamie McMurray
- Robby Gordon
- Carl Edwards
- Scott Pruett
- Elliott Sadler
- Ryan Newman
- Kyle Busch
- Denny Hamlin
The Points
No big moves at the top this week as Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth continue to lead the points.
At the back of the top ten Kasey Kahne again had trouble on the last lap and remained in eleventh. Kasey Kahne is 54 points behind tenth place Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The top ten in points are now:
- Jimmie Johnson -0
- Matt Kenseth -124
- Kevin Harvick -323
- Jeff Burton -362
- Kyle Busch -370
- Mark Martin -426
- Tony Stewart -447
- Denny Hamlin -459
- Jeff Gordon -485
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. -515
Next Week
Next week the teams head back to Michigan to challenge the fast and wide two-mile D shaped oval. It's all left turns from here through the end of the season as teams get ready for The Chase.
