Saturday, July 22, 2006

Kevin Harvick wins Martinsville Busch Series race

The NASCAR Busch Series returned to Martinsville Speedway for the first time since 1994 in the Goody's 250 Saturday. Of course NASCAR fans know all about this half mile paper clip shaped race track. The best way to win is to stay out of trouble but with the racing so close that's easier said than done. Of course a few Buschwackers came down from the Nextel Cup race in Pocono too. Clint Bowyer won the pole but several Buschwackers didn't arrive in time for qualifying and had to go to the back of the field.




The story of this race was track position and the pit strategy used to get track position. Clint Bowyer-#2 AC Delco Chevy led the first part of the race until he pitted. He complained to his crew chief that his engine didn't have enough power to pass anyone. But passing was tough for everyone. Paul Menard-#11 Menards Chevy took the lead for a while. His strategy was to pit once and when everyone else pitted a second time, he'd be in the lead. That didn't work out and Menard finished 12th.





Kevin Harvick-#21 Coast Guard Chevy took the lead with Clint Bowyer second and Denny Hamlin-#20 Rockwell Automation Chevy third. Hamlin seemed to be faster than either Harvick & Bowyer but couldn't pass them. And Harvick & Bowyer team owner Richard Childress called from Pocono and told Bowyer to race Harvick clean. So Kevin Harvick won the race easily and still has a big points lead.

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