Sunday, April 1, 2012

Ryan Newman wins at Martinsville

ryan newman wins martinsville

Ryan Newman won the Goodies Fast Relief 500 today at Martinsville.

Teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson dominated the short track race, and with Dale Earnhardt Jr. lurking in the top five, team owner Rick Hendrick was looking at a possible sweep of the top three finishing positions. Unfortunately, a late race caution gave other drivers a chance to get gas and fresh tires, leaving Gordon and Johnson vulnerable on a restart.

Unable to get away clean on old tires, both Gordon and Johnson got collected in a restart wreck and the in the ensuing restart, Newman held off A.J. Allmendinger and Jr. for the win.

Tony Stewart finished 7th, which moves him to third in the points standings. Stewart-Haas racing now has 3 victories in the 6 Cup races this season. Pretty impressive for the little team. And as always, seeing Tony beat the Hendrick juggernaut with it's own equipment always puts a smile on my face.

Shout out sympathy for David Reutimann who caused the late race caution. Trying desperately to keep his dying car in the top 35 in owner points, Reuty limped around the track trying to stay out of everyone's way until a timing chain broke and his engine shut down completely. Other drivers over the radio could be heard slamming Reutimann for not parking his car, but as Michael Waltrip said in the booth, no one knew exactly what was going on inside the car and it wasn't until after the race that Reutimann's motivations came out.

Congrats again to Ryan for the win.

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