Smoke at Martinsville

Friday, March 24
Tony qualifies 3rd behind Jamie McMurray and Jimmie Johnson (pole sitter).

Sunday March 25
Lap 25: Tony passes Jamie McMurray for the lead
Lap 50: Tony now catching lap cars
Lap 92: Tony Wins race off pit road after 3rd caution of the day
Lap 96: Tony continues to lead
Lap 118: Tony continues to lead after 4th caution of the day
Lap 139: Tony contines to lead with 27 cars on lead lap
Lap 155: Tony's lead is 2 seconds
Lap 182: JJ Yeley passes Sterling Marlin for lead, but Tony quickly gets by Yeley for the lead
Lap 289: Tony wins battle of pit road after Caution #8
Lap 294: Tony in the lead
Lap 323: Tony continues to lead the race
Lap 339: Tony leads after Caution #11
Lap 350: Tony leads Jimmie by 1/2 second
Lap 361: Jimmie takes lead from Tony
Lap 365: Jimmie wins battle off pit road after Caution #12
Lap 369: Tony takes the lead from Jimmie
Lap 378: JImmie takes lead back from Tony
Lap 402: Jimmie .75 seconds ahead of Tony
Lap 473: Tony takes lead from Jimmie after a little beatin' and bangin'
Lap 492: Tony still in the lead
Lap 497: Tony still leading only 3 more laps
Lap 500: TONY WINS!!!!



Tony wins and begins the Victory Climb!!!



This gives Tony his first NNC win of 2006 (remember he did win the Busch race at Daytona in February). Tony lead 288 out of 500 laps. His car was "Smokin". Complete DOMINATION!

Top 5 finishers at Matinsville
1. Tony Stewart
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Dale Earnhardt
5. Kyle Busch

Matt Kenseth finished 24th after Kenseth hits the wall on Lap 492. Darn...funny how karma plays out. It was nice to see Junior battle back with all the "modifications" to his #8 Budweiser Chevy and get a 4th place finish.

Next week on to Texas....YEA!!!

[Sidebar: I really don't care what you think mr. pooh pooh head (and you know who you are). I can gloat about the fact that Tony Stewart won! You are just mad because your driver who shall remain nameless didn't have a very good run (he finished 13--that's in the top 20 and he is now 2nd in the points). Get over yourself! You know how I am...and guess what Jeff Gordon finished 2nd! How 'bout them apples? And all the "extras" on today's post...just for you.]