Point leader Jimmie Johnson struggled for much of the day and defending Champion Tony Stewart had to get out of his car early. This race could prove to be a key moment in the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season.
Qualifying
Rocketman Ryan Newman put his Penske Dodge on the pole for the Neighborhood Excellence 400. Jeremy Mayfield started second to complete the Dodge sweep of the front row. Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch made up row number two and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top five.
Point leader Jimmie Johnson crashed during his qualifying run and had to start way out back in 42nd. Dover is a tough place to pass and track position plays a big part in the outcome of this race. This was quite a disadvantage for Johnson. Johnson not only had to start out back but he also had to share a pit stall with the #4 car until someone finally dropped out of the race.
Drop The Green Flag
Ryan Newman jumped out to the early lead and Jeremy Mayfield took over the lead on lap 12. Even though they trimmed 100 miles off of this race Dover is still a long race day and there was some good give and take early in the running.
Mark Martin became the first non-Dodge to lead when he passed Mayfield on lap 28 for the top spot.
The first yellow flag didn't fly until lap 35. Jeff Gordon was first off pit road and lead the next segment of the race.
Storylines
Tony Stewart started the race with a broken shoulder after hitting the wall hard last week. Four time Dover winner Ricky Rudd practiced and qualified the 20 car. Tony started the race so that he could collect the points but during the first caution Ricky Rudd took over the driving duties. Rudd made it back up into the top twenty before taking a pit road speeding penalty that put him two laps down and out of contention. Rudd ended up in 25th.
While Rudd's problem was self-inflicted point leader Jimmie Johnson never had a chance. After spinning in practice Johnson had to start in the back. He then fell a lap down early in the race. Towards the end of the race Johnson got the lucky dog and got back on the lead lap. After being terrible most of the day Jimmie Johnson still managed to finish sixth. Days like this are the mark of a Championship team.
Chasing The Checkers
Jamie McMurray had the lead with 50 to go ahead of Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Kyle Busch. While Kevin Harvick harassed McMurray for the lead Matt Kenseth closed in to make it a three way battle for the final fifteen laps.
With seven laps to go Matt Kenseth got around Harvick for second and the three leaders worked lapped traffic. Kenseth had the fastest car but was there enough time?
Jamie McMurray and Matt Kenseth crossed the line side by side with four laps to go. Kenseth was way too good in the middle of the corner and pulled ahead to take the exciting win in Dover.
Top Ten
- Matt Kenseth
- Jamie McMurray
- Kevin Harvick
- Jeff Burton
- Kyle Busch
- Jimmie Johnson
- Kasey Kahne
- Greg Biffle
- Mark Martin
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The Points
Jimmie Johnson's rebound allowed him to maintain his point lead over Matt Kenseth. Tony Stewart's injury and the mistake by Rudd cost him one spot in the points. Tony has slipped to fifth overall.
There were no changes in The Chase drivers as Kyle Busch remains in tenth. Kyle is 40 points ahead of new eleventh place driver Denny Hamlin who continues to have a strong rookie season.
The top ten in points are now:
- Jimmie Johnson -0
- Matt Kenseth -74
- Mark Martin -216
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. -282
- Tony Stewart -293
- Kasey Kahne -296
- Jeff Burton -396
- Kevin Harvick -420
- Jeff Gordon -428
- Kyle Busch -439
Next Week
Pocono Raceway hosts the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup stars next week. The most unusual track layout on the NASCAR schedule. Pocono Raceway has a massive front straight that often sees cars going four, five and six wide. Add the high speeds to the challenging turns and you've got a 2.5 mile superspeedway that drives like a road course.
