TALLADEGA, Ala. — A quiet afternoon at Talladega Superspeedway turned wild in the closing laps setting the stage for Kyle Busch to come from a lap down to win the Aaron's 499 on Sunday.
Joe Gibbs Racing's Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin were in the spotlight for much of the race, but it was Busch who had the lead on the final lap when a multi-car pileup brought out a caution flag, freezing the field.
Busch had fallen a lap back after being unable to access his pit stall earlier in the race.
With 15 laps to go, race-long contenders Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Stewart were among those caught in a six-car melee. Busch had the lead, ahead of defending champion Jeff Gordon, Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman and Juan Pablo Montoya when the racing resumed with five laps to go after a spin by Bobby Labonte brought out the race's seventh caution.
Montoya finished second, moving into the top 12 in series points. Hamlin finished third.
"First Jeff Gordon, then Juan Montoya, those guys were pretty awesome in pushing us," said Busch, who was able to block them from the lead in the final laps.
All race drivers took turns pushing each other into the lead, taking advantage of the draft, particularly on the high side of the track.
Busch won behind the wheel of a Toyota. It was only the second time in 19 races that a Chevrolet did not win a Cup race at Talladega.
Even without a traditional "Sea of Red," Earnhardt Jr. appeared primed to regain his magic touch. Driving for the first time at Talladega for Hendrick Motorsports, Earnhardt led 44 laps through the first three-quarters of the race, attempting to end a winless streak that reached 71 races Sunday.
Earnhardt's fans, who until this season wore red in support of his red No. 8 Budweiser car, came clad in all colors Sunday, but cheered just as mightily when he took the No. 88 Amp Energy drink Chevrolet to the front.
Through the first half of the 188-lap race, Stewart (55) and Earnhardt (17) led 72 of the 94 laps.
With 33 laps to go, Paul Menard, Brian Vickers, David Stremme, David Ragan and Elliott Sadler were among the drivers in the top 10. Stremme was subbing for Ganassi Racing driver Dario Franchitti, who sustained a broken ankle in a crash on Saturday.
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Joe Gibbs Racing's Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin were in the spotlight for much of the race, but it was Busch who had the lead on the final lap when a multi-car pileup brought out a caution flag, freezing the field.
Busch had fallen a lap back after being unable to access his pit stall earlier in the race.
With 15 laps to go, race-long contenders Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Stewart were among those caught in a six-car melee. Busch had the lead, ahead of defending champion Jeff Gordon, Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman and Juan Pablo Montoya when the racing resumed with five laps to go after a spin by Bobby Labonte brought out the race's seventh caution.
Montoya finished second, moving into the top 12 in series points. Hamlin finished third.
"First Jeff Gordon, then Juan Montoya, those guys were pretty awesome in pushing us," said Busch, who was able to block them from the lead in the final laps.
All race drivers took turns pushing each other into the lead, taking advantage of the draft, particularly on the high side of the track.
Busch won behind the wheel of a Toyota. It was only the second time in 19 races that a Chevrolet did not win a Cup race at Talladega.
Even without a traditional "Sea of Red," Earnhardt Jr. appeared primed to regain his magic touch. Driving for the first time at Talladega for Hendrick Motorsports, Earnhardt led 44 laps through the first three-quarters of the race, attempting to end a winless streak that reached 71 races Sunday.
Earnhardt's fans, who until this season wore red in support of his red No. 8 Budweiser car, came clad in all colors Sunday, but cheered just as mightily when he took the No. 88 Amp Energy drink Chevrolet to the front.
Through the first half of the 188-lap race, Stewart (55) and Earnhardt (17) led 72 of the 94 laps.
With 33 laps to go, Paul Menard, Brian Vickers, David Stremme, David Ragan and Elliott Sadler were among the drivers in the top 10. Stremme was subbing for Ganassi Racing driver Dario Franchitti, who sustained a broken ankle in a crash on Saturday.
Discuss Add this link to... Bury
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