Vickers Has Enough Gas to Win
Posted by Morgan Ferguson on Mon, Aug 17, 2009 @ 10:34
Brian Vickers stretched his fuel mileage enough to take the NASCAR Sprint Cup victory at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday. Vickers, who started the race from the pole position, ran most of the race as one of the leaders along with
Jimmie Johnson,
Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin. But this is Michigan and fuel mileage is the key to taking home the big check. For most of the day the lead went back in forth between the Hendrick Chevy's and the Red Bull Toyota. As the laps ran down all of the leaders were doing everything to save fuel. Each were turning off their cars down the back stretch and drafting each other to save that valuable Sunoco racing fuel. With a handful of laps to go the caution came out as
David Stremme spun. Vickers, Gordon and Johnson stayed out while Earnhardt pitted for fuel and tires. As the green flag flew Earnhardt wasted no time in coming back to the front. Then the bad luck and the reality of the day set in for Johnson as his tank ran dry and he gave up the lead to Vickers. Johnson fell like a rock in the standings ending up finishing in the 30's and loosing a position in the series standings to Gordon. Gordon conserved enough fuel to keep his second place at the checkered flag followed by Earnhardt then Carl Edward.
Safety-Kleen's Sam Hornish had another great race and finished in fifth with the RCR
Safety-Kleen driver
Casey Mears in sixth. It wasn't a good day for points leader
Tony Stewart, who got out of his fuel window and could only manage a 17th place in the end.
Kurt Busch also had a rough day, tangling with
David Ragan on lap 120 and thus dropping two spots in the championship race. The win by Vickers moved him up in the drivers standings to 13th place, only 12 points off from Mark Martin's 12th place position with just three races to go before the Chase starts. Thanks to John Bebeau, Todd Bingman and the crew from Mason, MI for helping out at the track - great work.
