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Race: Stewart wins for Pontiac

Tony Stewart delivered Pontiac's first NASCAR Winston Cup victory of the season at the Atlanta oval after fending off a late charge from Dale Earnhardt Jr

With his Joe Gibbs Racing team considering a switch to General Motor's other NASCAR manufacturer, Chevrolet, Stewart's win could not have come at a better time.

He led 143 of the 325 laps, but had a tough fight all day to finally take the victory.

The decisive moments followed a yellow flag period on lap 281, when Ward Burton and Terry Labonte jumped to the front by only taking on two tyres each at their pitstops. Labonte faded once the race went Green, but Burton clung on to his lead.

Stewart tracked him down and made his pass on lap 302. Earnhardt Jr also found a way round Buton to set up a chase to the flag. He closed to with 0.4sec of Stewart, but got no closer.

Rookie Jimmie Johnson took third, from Matt Kenseth and Ricky Craven.

For full race results click here.

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