NASCAR NATION – 5-19

At the high-banked concrete surface of the Monster Mile in Dover, Del., four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson has seemed to master conquering the monster. Entering last Sunday’s Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Speedway,
Johnson had the most wins of all active drivers at Dover with five, including a sweep of last season’s events.
Kyle Busch has been on the rise as of late, capturing his first victory of 2010 at Richmond International Raceway several weeks ago, and recording six top-10 finishes in his last seven starts. But he had been hit-or-miss at Dover in the past, posting five-top five finishes in 10 career starts. But he failed to finish higher than 23rd last season.
It became apparent early in Sunday’s event that both drivers would contend for the victory. But what was surprising was the mistake made by one driver that secured the other’s ability to grab the checkered flag.
Martin Truex Jr., of Ocean County, captured the pole during Friday’s qualifying session to lead the field to the checkered flag at his home track. But it was Kasey Kahne that took the lead on lap one and went on to lead the first 24 laps before the Busch and Johnson show began.
When it was all said and done, the two combined for 14 of the race’s 20 lead changes, and led a combined 356 of 400 laps. But on lap 363, just 37 laps from completion, Busch and Johnson hit pit road together for the final road of green-flag stops.
Both teams appeared to perform seemingly perfect pit stops, but Johnson made a rare mistake leaving pit road and was penalized for being too fast exiting pit road. Johnson served his pass through penalty and went a lap down as Busch assumed the led and never looked back, capturing his second victory of 2010.
Busch was quick to admit that the final pit stop during which Johnson was penalized led to the team’s victory, but didn’t think his team’s quick stop was the cause of Johnson’s speeding.
“I wouldn’t say that we psyched Jimmie out,” he said. “I mean, he’s won four championships so he’s pretty much been through all the head games in this world. But it kind of turned our way today. I feel like our car was at least good enough where we could at least challenge them for it, and I’m going to go out on a limb and say that we could have beat him today, with or without the penalty.”
The race, a surprisingly fast-paced race with only five cautions, saw 20 lead changes among eight different drivers.
Jeff Burton finished second, followed by Matt Kenseth in third, Denny Hamlin in fourth, and David Reutimann in fifth.
Truex finished 12th and moved up one spot in the standings to 12th. Kevin Harvick remains the points leader after finishing seventh.
In other news, Brian Vickers missed Sunday’s race after being hospitalized in Washington D.C. with blood clots last Thursday. Casey Mears started in Vickers’ place in the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota and finished 22nd.
Nationwide Series:
There was no questioning Kyle Busch on Saturday in the Helluva Good! 200 Nationwide Series race at Dover, as he led 191 of 205 laps to capture his fourth victory of 2010. The race was marred by the on-track scuffle between Denny Hamlin and Clint Bowyer, who extended bumps on track eventually resulting in Bowyer’s immediate parking by NASCAR.
Ryan Newman finished second, followed by Jamie McMurray in third, Reed Sorenson in fourth, and Jason Leffler in fifth.
Camping World Truck Series: Kyle Busch fell just a few gallons short of a complete weekend sweep at Dover International Speedway, as he was forced to pit with just two laps remaining in the Dover 200. Aric Almirola captured his first career Truck Series victory, becoming the third consecutive first-time winner at Dover.
James Buescher was second, followed by Justin Lofton in third. Ricky Carmichael was fourth, and Todd Bodine fifth.
Coming Up: The Sprint Cup Series heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the All-Star Showdown, while the Camping World Truck Series will hit the track for a points race.
Bruce Knoll, 18, of Eldora, can be contacted by email at bknoll jr4cmcherald@yahoo.com