Newman breaks 2004 duck

Newman held off Kasey Kahne, making one of his trademark charges, and Jarrett, showing marked improvement recently. Jimmie Johnson finished fourth, taking the points lead from Dale Earnhardt Jr, who struggled all day and finished 21st.

The race was full of twists, with pole-winner Jeff Gordon dominating early, leading 81 of the first 89 laps. Gordon's engine blew up, however, on Lap 89, bringing out a caution.

Newman had had to pit under green early because of paper on his grille and consequent high water temperature. He was the first car a lap down when Gordon's engine blew and hence received the free pass.

Jarrett moved into contention by taking fuel only on that stop, taking fourth place at the restart. Four laps later, on Lap 96, Jarrett passed Rusty Wallace for the lead. Jarrett had led only six laps all year. Brendan Gaughan, who had not pitted under the prior caution, passed Jarrett for the lead, but caution came out again for Jamie McMurray's blown engine on Lap 115.

Kahne, who had trouble with poor handling and went a lap down early, received his lap back under that caution. Elliott Sadler took the lead, ahead of Gaughan, for the restart.

Sterling Marlin, who restarted fifth, took the lead from Sadler on Lap 132, with Jarrett following him to second. Marlin held the lead through two subsequent cautions, with Jarrett holding second and Newman moving up to third.

The final battle began with the caution on Lap 175. Jarrett, Newman and several others skipped the stop, moving to the front. Newman immediately went after Jarrett on the restart and passed him for the lead on 178. Jarrett twice tried him back, the last time on Lap 183, but could not make a pass.

Meanwhile, Marlin charged from 10th to third, and Johnson from 11th to fourth, passing Sterling for third on Lap 192. Kahne, meanwhile, took off, taking third place after the caution on Lap 193. He passed Jarrett outside at the white flag for second.

Caution came out on the final lap when P.J. Jones and Terry Labonte crashed on the backstretch. The leaders slowed to the flag as ordered, and Newman rolled across the winner.

The final-lap caution caused some scoring confusion among the cars behind the wreck, from about 25th back. It took NASCAR some time to get the finish in correct order.