Wayne County Outlook
Monticello
Sat, May 17 2008
—
It was another wild finish for Talladega Speedway fans as Kyle Busch
came from a lap down to win Sundayıs Sprint Cup Aaronıs 499, after a major,
last-lap wreck caused the race to end under caution.
³First Jeff (Gordon) and Juan (Montoya) helped push me,² said Busch. ³We
didnıt have as much power as the 20-car (Tony Stewart), but it was enough. I
think this is the first time Iıve finished here without tearing up all the
equipment.²
Buschıs teammate, Tony Stewart had a tire go flat during lap 143 of the
188-lap race. As the laps wound down, Stewart was back racing near the
front. He attempted to make a hole between several cars, but wound up
causing a multi-car pileup.
³I went to the second lane and I thought I was all right, but the hole
closed up² said Stewart. ³It was my fault and Iım sorry. When itıs that late
in the race, youıve got to go.²
Juan Montoya was second followed by Buschıs other teammate, Denny
Hamlin.
³The whole race was crazy,² said Hamlin.
David Ragan, Brian Vickers, Travis Kvapil, Casey Mears, Ryan Newman,
Clint Bowyer, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounded out the top-10 finishers.
Hendrick Motorsports driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. had one of the best cars
throughout the day, but sustained significant rear end damage in a crash
forcing him to pit road for repairs.
The other two Hendrick drivers, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon finished
11th and 12th respectively.
Polesitter Joe Nemechek finished 18th.
Top-12 Chase Contenders after 9 of 36: 1. Burton-1332, 2. Kyle
Busch-1325, 3. Earnhardt-1268, 4. Johnson-1251, 5. Hamlin-1248, 6.
Harvick-1211, 7. Bowyer-1182, 8. Stewart-1137, 9. Biffle-1124, 10.
Edwards-1084, 11. Newman-1062, 12. J. Gordon-1039
Meanwhile, the high cost of gasoline might be having an effect on fan
attendance. The sale of tickets for Sundayıs Aaronıs 499 was off about 10
per cent from last year, Talladega Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey
said Friday. Thatıs pretty much in line with what other NASCAR tracks are
seeing this season as record gas prices are forcing some fans to stay home.
Top-10 Nationwide Series leaders after 10 of 35: 1. Bowyer-1427, 2.
Edwards-1400, 3. Kyle Busch-1388, 4. Reutimann-1298, 5. Bliss-1282, 6.
Ragan-1274, 7. Keselowski-1252, 8. Leffler-1227, 9. M. Wallace-1173, 10.
Hamilton Jr.-1055
Top-10 Craftsman Truck Series leaders after 5 of 25: 1. Hornaday-775, 2.
Crawford-714, 3. Bodine-704, 4. Setzer-666, 5. Benson-666, 6. Kyle
Busch-645, 7. Crafton-639, 8. McCumbee-633, 9. Sprague-629, 10. Musgrave-627
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