Mark Martin, the winningest driver in Nationwide series history, returned to victory lane at the Sam’s Town 300 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Martin, driving for Jr Motorsports/Hendrick Motorsports won the war of attrition and survived a green-white checker finish to claim his forty eighth series trophy.
“I’ve got to apologize before we do any celebrating,” noted Martin after climbing from his car.
Martin was referring to a closing lap incident in which he was racing with teammate Brad Keselowski and former teammate Carl Edwards.
Martin running third at the time behind Edwards and Keselowski who were running door to door pulled down to the inside of the track to get a run on his teammate. In the process Martin turned Edwards, collecting Keselowski, and wrecking both cars. The Incident brought out the thirteenth and final caution of the day putting Martin on point for the restart and setting up his record setting win.
Martin took responsibility for the incident which stole a career day from his young teammate.
“I hate for that to happen. I didn’t intend for it to turn out that way. But I couldn’t stop it, once it started. I feel real bad for Brad, because he was so close to getting his first victory.”
Despite contact with the wall and finishing twenty-third, it was a noteworthy day for Brad Keselowski. The sophomore driver put himself in contention for the win, leading twice for a total of twelve circuits. Despite the turn of events Keselowski sees the team as coming of age.
“I’ve seen this in this team all the way since the start of the year and I know we have what it takes to win races.” Keselowski said. “We’re right there, just one whisper away. Today we just didn’t catch the breaks.” “
The effort of the team combined with Martins win demonstrates the alliance formed by JR Motorsports and Hendrick put them in position of being one of the strongest teams in the garage.
The incident occurred with three laps remaining and forced the two lap overtime with Martin taking the checkers followed by Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick and David Stremme.
Attrition played a major part in the event with several of the top drivers having trouble as only fourteen cars finished on the lead lap.
Pole sitter Brian Vickers, Kyle Busch, Bobby LaBonte, and Daytona and California winner Tony Stewart all led circuits but became involved in on track various on track incidents putting the cars in the garage early.
Several drivers had complained about failing right front tires as well as unusual winds sweeping across the track.
Kyle Busch who led eighteen laps before his incident on lap eighty seven blamed the rubber compound used in the tires for the race.
“It’s the wrong tire for here, it’s too hard. “ Said Busch. “They’re trying to slow us down and everybody’s wrecking. You even have experienced guys that are wrecking. We blew a right front tire.”
Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti was the top rookie in the race finishing an impressive sixth. Franchitti stayed out of trouble all day and then the team gambled on tires at the end to gain track position.
Another open wheel driver having a banner day was Patrick Carpentier. Carpentier jumped in the Evernham Dodge filling in for an ailing Kasey Khane drove to an eighth place finish.
The event marked the second race for the new engine spacer mandated by NASCAR. Drivers appear to be adjusting to the change but expressed concern about the speed the cars carry in the center of the corner without being able to pull away on the straight-aways.
Leaving Las Vegas Tony Stewart remaining on top of the points standing with a forty two marker lead over Kyle Busch. Mike Wallace is the highest placed Nationwide regular in eighth, one hundred and fifteen points back. Next week the series heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Nicorette 300. Jeff Burton is the defending race winner and will be attempting to go for three in a row at the one point five mile track.
RACE NOTES
Landon Cassill won the Raybestos rookie cooking challenge held in Las Vegas. “I think it was my superior cooking skills,” Cassill said . The event benefited the Las Vegas Boys & Girls clubs. Cassill is a developmental driver for Hendrick Motorsports and will be getting seat time in the Nationwide Series as part of the five team.
Series Champion Carl Edwards signed a new sponsor for his Nationwide team. Save-A-Lot food stores have inked a deal with Roush Fenway Racing to be primary sponsor on Edwards Ford for twelve races during the 2008 season. “To be able to carry a Missouri-based company on the No. 60 Ford is great,” said Edwards.
Brad Keselowski takes flight with the Blue Angles. If driving a race car at 200 MPH is not enough, the Jr Motorsports driving took his NAVT sponsorship to a new level as he was able to ride along with the world famous flight team. it was awesome,” Keselowski said. “That’s definitely a wild ride that I’ll never forget.
The flight was piloted by Lt. Frank Weisser and consisted of an hour long series of maneuvers that took him as fast as 650 knots pulling up to seven “G’s”.
Kevin Harvick keeps logging the miles. When Harvick completed lap forty at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway his all time odometer in the series his 45,000 competition miles in the series. Harvick is a two time champion and is second on the all time series win list.
Kyle Busch, who is standing second in the Nationwide Series hinted this weekend he may change his plans and run for the championship title in the series. Busch who noted his number one priority is his Cup team is currently competing in all three of NASCAR’s top series leading the points.
