Earnhardt Jr bounces back

The Chevrolet star beat Dodge's Jeremy Mayfield, whom he passed for the lead with 14 laps remaining, and rookie ace Kasey Kahne in the 500-mile race. Jimmie Johnson finished fourth, ahead of pole winner Ryan Newman (Dodge) and series leader Matt Kenseth, who lost a lap early on after spinning on the pit entry but bounced back in typical style.

Earnhardt, becoming renowned as a specialist at restrictor plate races, won for the fifth time at a non-restricted track, and for the first time at a track where his father won nine times. Junior also won the Daytona 500, so he has equalled points leader Matt Kenseth with two wins this year.

"This track has been on my want-list for a long time," said Earnhardt. "I've wanted to win here pretty bad. I'd seen my daddy come in here and win so many times. It really means a lot to win here. It's great to put your name on the list to win The Winston and the Daytona 500, but this was a personal victory for me today."

Tony Stewart led for the most laps (127), but could only finish seventh, while rookie Casey Mears continued his excellent start to the season by leading for 43 laps and running near the front for the entire race before retiring right at the end with a blown engine in his Ganassi Racing Dodge.

Earnhardt now moves back up to third in the Nextel Cup standings, 90 points back from leader Kenseth on 673. Stewart is second in the points on 591.