KFDM COOP Posted February 13, 2006 Report Posted February 13, 2006 Rookie wins respect Leading the race at lap 46, Tony Stewart led a pack of eight cars onto pit road, starting a trend with the next two lap leaders, Jamie McMurray and Dale Earnhardt Jr., pitting after leading a lap apiece. They relinquished the lead to Scott Riggs and Dale Jarrett who made a two-tire pit stop on lap 48. But rookie Denny Hamlin took over the top spot at lap 52, losing it once to Kyle Busch for a lap and then his mentor, Tony Stewart, with three laps to go. But Denny Hamlin took the lead on the restart to win his first Nextel Cup restrictor plate race. For the second time in the race, Carl Edwards was penalized by NASCAR for passing under the yellow line when Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson tried to make pit stops. While protesting on the radio, Edwards was called to the NASCAR trailer at the end of the race and forced to make a pass-through penalty. Jimmie Johnson got past Ken Schrader on the first circuit after the restart (lap 21). On the second lap, Kyle Busch got into Mark Martin who made a great save after sliding up the track. At the same time, Jeff Gordon blew an engine, bringing out a caution. Full Story ... A winning strategy Segment 1 (Laps 1-20) Two-time Budweiser Shootout winner Ken Schrader got off to a fast start as the polesitter, holding off the field as Matt Kenseth's engine started overheating on lap 7. The 2003 Cup champ fell back through the field quickly. Jimmie Johnson teamed up with Jeff Gordon to push their way to the lead on the high line at lap 13. Two laps later, Jamie McMurray got into Ryan Newman on the backstretch, taking out several cars. Carl Edwards went below the yellow line to avoid contact and was sent to the back of the field to start the second segment. Caution 3/Lap 68-70: Jamie McMurray and Ryan Newman get into each other in the wall with Newman smoking his tires from fender rubs and putting down debris. Caution 2/Lap 24-28: Jeff Gordon got into Matt Kenseth, stacking up behind Mark Martin who slid up the track when Kyle Busch got into the No. 6 driver. Gordon came to pit road with a hole in the oil cooler after getting into Matt Kenseth. Gordon was spewing engine smoke, ending his day early. Jamie McMurray got squeezed by teammate Martin into the wall and came to pit road. Caution 1/Lap 16-20: Jamie McMurray got bumped by Brian Vickers after Kyle Busch slam-drafted him on the backstretch. McMurray moved sideways into Ryan Newman. Brian Vickers spun into the wall. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Jarrett and Scott Riggs were also involved. Kevin Harvick was also forced to the garage with a blown engine. Lead Changes: 16 among 9 drivers K. Schrader 1-12; J. Johnson 13-14; K. Schrader 15-20; J. Johnson 21-27; T. Stewart 28; J. Johnson 29-31; K. Busch 32-34; M. Waltrip 35-45; T. Stewart 46-47; J. McMurray 48; D. Earnhardt Jr. 49; S. Riggs 50-51; D. Hamlin 52-62; K. Busch 63; D. Hamlin 64-66; T. Stewart 67-70; D. Hamlin 71-72. Out: Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Brian Vickers
KFDM COOP Posted February 13, 2006 Author Report Posted February 13, 2006 Results Pos. Driver Start Car Make 1 Denny Hamlin 15 #11 Chevrolet 2 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 19 #8 Chevrolet 3 Tony Stewart 3 #20 Chevrolet 4 Scott Riggs 8 #10 Dodge 5 Jimmie Johnson 2 #48 Chevrolet 6 Matt Kenseth 16 #17 Ford 7 Mark Martin 13 #6 Ford 8 Jamie McMurray 17 #26 Ford 9 Joe Nemechek 4 #01 Chevrolet 10 Dale Jarrett 9 #88 Ford
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