Wimmer wins Nationwide at Nashville
| By Diego Mejia |
Saturday, March 22nd 2008, 23:35 GMT |
Scott Wimmer edged his Richard Childress Racing teammate Clint Bowyer to win his first race for the past five years in the Pepsi 300 at Nashville Superspeedway.
Wimmer passed Bowyer with 20 laps remaining and then tried to be as smooth as possible with his right foot, while keeping his teammate at bay. At that point, fuel calculations were against him making it to the checkered flag without stopping.
Behind in third, the chasing Toyota of David Reutimann was also tight on fuel but in the end he was the only front-runner going for a splash and go, while Wimmer drove the No. 29 RCR machine to victory, with Bowyer closely in pursuit.
"It hasn't seemed like it's been that long but I haven't won a race since 2003," said Wimmer, who had last won at Pikes Peak nearly five years ago. "This is a great one to win. I've been after this guitar for a long time," he added referring to the winner's trophy.
"I was pretty nervous. I was letting off real early, getting on real wide. This fuel mileage thing is really scary because with just one little air bubble it's going to shut the car down and you're not going to be able to make it to the finish. Fortunately we made it today."
Bowyer was close to make it two in a row, having won last weekend at Bristol. After losing the lead to Wimmer in the closing stages he waited in vain for his teammate to run out of fuel in the last two laps.
As it emerged, Wimmer didn't, but Bowyer was also left a bit puzzled by the handling of his car in the last stint of the race.
"I really thought I was going to be fighting a loose car in the whole last run," Bowyer said. "Kyle (Busch) did that, I was loose behind him and then we got way too tight.
"Scott seemed like he was coming and there was nothing I could do. I didn't want to hold him back but I'm really happy for him. It's been a long time coming for him."
Kyle Busch was once again left hoping for his first Nationwide series win of the season. He led the field from pole position, and spent 125 laps up front until he got loose exiting turn four, making contact with Clint Bowyer only 62 laps from the end.
His car then went across the grass dividing the track from pit road and he was eventually able to get back on the concrete surface, although damage to the left front fender of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota forced him to pit under the green flag.
"Just a stupid mistake on the driver's part," Busch said after race, blaming himself for losing yet another win that looked within reach.
Carl Edwards, who had won the past three Nationwide series events held at Nashville, finished the race in a strong third place ahead of JR Motorsports' Brad Kaselowski and Kelly Bires.
Bowyer has now taken over the lead in the driver standings and is eleven points ahead of Edwards.
Kevin Harvick, who was leading the standings into this race, took the weekend off, as did most of the Sprint Cup regulars. Dario Franchitti was also absent at Nashville, his car being driven by Bryan Clauson. Pos Driver Make Laps
1. Scott Wimmer Chevrolet 225
2. Clint Bowyer Chevrolet 225
3. Carl Edwards Ford 225
4. Brad Keselowski Chevrolet 225
5. Kelly Bires Ford 225
6. David Stremme Chevrolet 225
7. Denny Hamlin Toyota 225
8. Cale Gale Chevrolet 225
9. David Reutimann Toyota 224
10. Bobby Hamilton Jr Ford 224
11. Mike Bliss Dodge 224
12. Stephen Leicht Chevrolet 224
13. Jason Leffler Toyota 224
14. Chase Miller Dodge 224
15. Colin Braun Ford 224
16. Kyle Busch Toyota 223
17. Bryan Clauson Dodge 223
18. Jason Keller Chevrolet 223
19. Landon Cassill Chevrolet 223
20. Mike Wallace Toyota 223
21. David Ragan Ford 223
22. Sterling Marlin Chevrolet 222
23. Marcos Ambrose Ford 222
24. Steve Wallace Chevrolet 222
25. Kyle Krisiloff Dodge 221
26. Mark Green Chevrolet 221
27. Brad Coleman Ford 221
28. Brad Baker Ford 219
29. Kevin Lepage Ford 218
30. Kertus Davis Chevrolet 218
31. Eric McClure Chevrolet 218
32. Kenny Wallace Chevrolet 217
33. Willie Allen Dodge 216
34. DJ Kennington Dodge 216
35. Robert Richardson, II Chevrolet 211
36. Mike Harmon Chevrolet 72
37. Danny Efland Chevrolet 61
38. Morgan Shepherd Dodge 54
39. Johnny Chapman Chevrolet 46
40. Derrike Cope Chevrolet 38
41. Brad Teague Ford 29
42. Larry Gunselman Chevrolet 23
43. Brett Rowe Chevrolet 9
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