KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) -- Tony Stewart didn't have time for a debate. He had one last chance to grab the win at Kansas Speedway, and it came down to one critical decision.Two tires, or four?
The two-time series champion asked for two on the final pit stop Sunday, and crew chief Darian Grubb immediately agreed with the strategy. The rapid thinking got Stewart the race lead, and he held on over the final 26 laps for his fourth win of the season.
``He asked me what I thought, I kind of put my vote in, and he said it was exactly what he was thinking,'' Stewart said. ``It made me feel good that we both agreed on the same thing that quick. It was like, to both of us, it wasn't even an option. We pretty much knew what we both needed.''
What he needed was a win.
After a rocky start to the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, Stewart found himself in danger of allowing Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson to pull the title out of his reach in just the third of 10 races. Stewart went into the race fifth in the standings, 106 points behind leader Martin, and in a slump of five of six finishes outside the top 10.
Grubb knew they needed to turn it up, and soon, to stay in title contention.
``We knew going into the Chase it was a must-win situation,'' Grubb said. ``You're going to have to win races against these competitors. You have to go in with the mindset you have to win races.''
The victory at Kansas moved Stewart up one spot in the standings to fourth, and his deficit was cut from 106 points to 67 behind Martin.
Stewart then raced through his celebration to fly off to Iowa, to compete with teammate Ryan Newman in the Knoxville Dirt Late Model Nationals, which were rained out Saturday night.
``As soon as I get done with this stimulating conversation that we're having here ... then I'm going to get to Knoxville as quickly as I can,'' he said in his post-race news conference. ``That's my goal, to get out of here soon. Just a hint.''
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KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard / AMP Energy Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane with the trophy after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Tony Stewart
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KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Actress January Jones greets Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** January Jones;Jeff Gordon
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KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Crew chief Darian Grubb (C) of the #14 Office Depot / Old Spice Chevrolet has ice dumped on him by his crew members in victory lane as they celebrate driver Tony Stewart's (R), victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Darian Grubb;Tony Stewart
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Greg Biffle leaves the pit area during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Price Chopper 400 auto race, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Biffle finished in third place. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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Tony Stewart, right, looks to pass Greg Biffle during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Price Chopper 400 auto race, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Stewart won the race and Biffle finished in third place. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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Pit crew members work on Tony Stewart's car during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Price Chopper 400 auto race, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Stewart won the race. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
AP
KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Tony Stewart
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KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Tony Stewart
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KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 04: Actress January Jones is seen on the stage prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at the Kansas Speedway on October 4, 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** January Jones
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Martin, the pole-sitter, finished seventh and maintained his lead in the standings. He's up 18 points over three-time defending series champion Johnson, who finished ninth after a bad pit call put him in traffic that he couldn't overcome.
``We'll have to get home and look at the car and see what is going on there,'' Johnson said. ``So many guys took two, and we took four. There at the end, we were just trying to get some track position back and I just didn't have the speed that I had the start of the race and had lost a couple of more spots.
``At the end of the day, we finished ninth and that isn't too bad. We hate to see guys we are racing in points ahead of us.''
Martin wasn't in a celebratory mood despite maintaining his lead: There were only three drivers within 100 points of him at the start of the race, now the field has seven within 103.
``Look at it however you want,'' Martin said. ``What is there, seven more to go? I don't think we should be getting all hyped up about the tally right now, you know? We've got a lot of racing to go.''
The final outcome came down to strategy, and it started to shape as a race that would be decided on fuel mileage. Then Dale Earnhardt Jr., who led 41 laps early before bad breaks ruined his day, brought out the final caution of the race when an engine problem spilled oil on the track.
The leaders went to pit road debating with their crew chiefs whether to take two or four tires on what was likely going to be the final chance to gain track position.
Greg Biffle went to pit road as the leader, while Stewart was second. Biffle and his crew still didn't seem sure of what to do as he pulled into his spot, but Stewart and Grubb were certain. Stewart raced off pit road into the lead, with Kasey Kahne and Johnson in pursuit. Both also took two tires.
Biffle, the first driver to take four tires, restarted in fourth and admitted to overruling crew chief Greg Erwin, who only wanted to take two tires.
``I feel bad. Probably the wrong thing to do,'' said Biffle.
Stewart took off on the restart with 26 laps to go, and all the drivers on four tires quickly sliced through the field. But it was Jeff Gordon who made up the most ground. He was closing in on Stewart but simply ran out laps to catch him and settled for second.
Gordon, who battled a poorly handling car at the start of the race, was thrilled with the final outcome - until a NASCAR official informed him he'd only gained one spot in the standings to seventh.
``That's it? Can't you read it different? Just tell me I'm fifth,'' he said.
He still cut his deficit from 122 points to 103.
Stewart said Gordon was coming fast in his rearview mirror.
``He was getting bigger,'' Stewart said. ``The big thing was not to drive the tires off. We had a little left, but we didn't leave too much out there.''
Biffle was third, followed by Juan Pablo Montoya, Denny Hamlin, Kahne and Martin.
David Reutimann was the only non-Chase driver in the top 11 with an eighth-place finish and was followed by Johnson, Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch.
Only two Chase drivers finished outside the top 11: Newman, was penalized for speeding off pit road midway through the race, was 22nd and Brian Vickers finished 37th after blowing his motor.
By JENNA FRYER, AP Sports Writer
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
10-05-2009 @ 2:34AM
xxxsexyveronica said...
Although not my number one driver, i must congratulate stewart for a great performance and the same receives gordon.They both geared it up at the right time and the 2 tire call was perfectly adopted also.
Too bad chad had to mess it up for jimmy but 9th wasn't so bad of a finish after all, and martin was even ahead of jj at the end so the points lead still theirs.
I wonder where are susan and anna tonight? I'm sure they are 2 happy ladyes as this win puts their driver in contendion for the title again.
Isellu shall be a pretty happy guy tonight also.
Whoever has been calling for JG retirement is gonna probably swallow their words.
Reply
10-11-2009 @ 10:12AM
dudemalls52 said...
http://www.bbcloth.com
fr ee sh i pp ing
(jordan shoes) $32
(air max) $34
+++
wow
10-05-2009 @ 8:14AM
illsell4u said...
Wow, I just suffered LOST IN SPACE. I guess my pearls of wisdom will just have to wait.
mbl
Reply
10-05-2009 @ 9:33AM
egspec said...
How sad !!! (NOT)
Jr Nation fans got all exited in the begining of the rsce and THEN..........Back to JR LOOOOOOOOOSER and stupid mistakes!
What a joke.
Go...Smoke and Jimmy!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
10-05-2009 @ 1:06PM
montoya obnoxious said...
OH SO NOW YA ARE A JJ fan too???????
WOW, from the KYLIE to TONY to JJ. tHAT'S INTERESTING.BUT; anybody except montoya or KB
it's cool news.
10-06-2009 @ 8:56PM
Brad said...
Ya know what that little white 'EGSPEC' is on top of a pile of chicken crap.....well it's chicken crap too. LMAO
10-05-2009 @ 9:52AM
illsell4u said...
maybe this time it will work.
It was not the ending to the race I was hoping for. It looked like the #2 and #3 cars on the last restart both spun the tires. Tony was aboe to jump out to a 10 car length lead on the first 1/4 lap. Something that is not supposed to happen with double file restarts. Tony was smart and only used enough of his car up to win in the end. I cannot wait to hear what the consipracy experts say. A Hendrick driver was in the lead the last 5 laps so there was no phantom yellow? Jr took one for the team and blew his engine which is how Tony was able to get the lead in the first place? It was Tony Stewarts turn to win so JJ and Mark Martin just laid back a bit? Come on, there has to be a good explaination for how Tony Stewart won this one other than he had great strategy at the end.
mbl
Reply
10-05-2009 @ 11:43AM
HELLO POO said...
I keep saying this but maybe next year will be the year for Jr. The guy has talent but mistakes keep getting made and its killing him. Yesterday it was his crew with the loose lug nut, he was out front and doing so good and then WHAM it goes wrong again. I hope this black cloud will lift for him in 2010.
Reply
10-05-2009 @ 12:39PM
DAVE said...
Darn, missed another couple of hours of "racers" turning left. Stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to watch the F1 race, wouldn't waste the effort to press the channel changer to watch a NASCAR "race"!
Reply
10-06-2009 @ 8:36PM
kindatuchy said...
What's F-1. LOL
10-05-2009 @ 1:16PM
montoya obnoxious said...
GOOD FOR YOU. THAN WHY ARE YOU ON NASCAR PAGES?
HELLOOOOO DAVID? GOODBY.
Reply
10-05-2009 @ 1:33PM
Boopelybee said...
This sport is the worst of the worst when it comes to GREED! The underdog will NEVER win again in this league. Its the Hendrick, Rousch, RCR racing league. Founder Big Bill Sr. has rolled over in his grave 10 times already, I should know, I hear it when he does, I live in Daytona where he's buried. I talked to "Smokey" Yunich, for those that dont know who he is, he was a NASCAR driver back in the 60's-70's. He even stated NASCAR IS DYING! 185 million $'s in operating costs each year for the 3 big teams, yet homeless all over our streets. If I have it my way, I would have NASCAR EXECS locked up for fraud. Afterall, they are using 110 million $'s in tax breaks, just so they can make their track "prettier". The corporate GREED of America, congrats to NASCAR and to all those that support it, how does it feel to contribute to the downfall of American values!
Reply
10-06-2009 @ 9:25AM
Kim said...
I beg to differ. NASCAR teams and drivers give more money and time to charity than any other sports francise in America. Yup, I guess that's called "greed." You should do some research before you spout off ignorant statments accusing all of NASCAR as being greedy. Every driver and team owner, every single year donates a portion of their winnings to the Victory Junction Gang Camp started by Richard & Kyle Petty. Every single driver has either their own foundation or supports a specific one and donates their time and money to it yearly.
Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon both have record amounts of "Make a Wish Kids" whose wish has been to spend the day with one or the other. Neither driver has EVER said "no" to even a single child. Last year when Jeff Gordon was very ill with the flu, he was asked once again to "Make a Wish." He bucked up, spent the entire weekend with a sick kid, made his year and possibly even his life, and was sick himself. When asked by the press why he didn't say "no" this time as he was sick himself, Jeff said, "I always have time for a child in need."
Yup, the definition of "greed."
Kim
10-06-2009 @ 8:46PM
Brad said...
Sorry I have to question if you talked to Smokey Yunick. Smokey was a legendary engine builder and mechanic not a driver, he was also know for his pushing the envelope (aka cheating).
10-05-2009 @ 4:37PM
anzajoe said...
BOOGETY, BOOGETY, BOOGETY i'm back and sober. Just had few last evening celebrating STEWART COME
BACK.It was unjust and even sadd that after having such a positive 09 year stewart had to finish the season in poorly manner.
All the top chaser contenders had good finish at kansas. 3 of my drvers in the top5,1in top 10 and
DEJ misfortunes keep on going. Must be the doc curses at work.
And MIKE are you trying to replace the king of conspiracys or are ya just wondering who's going to replace him?
My congrats to all yesterday winners and top finishers.Things are going to get harder for the MARTINI, but he is staying tall.
Oh and hi veronica, i was here last night as ya may noticed by now;i posted in the other files right after the race finish cause this one was not available yet.I EVEN SAID HELLO TO THE DOC GEN. THAT was a cheerful happy night without the
grief.SUSAN? i think she left the country, lol, haven't heard for a week or so.Congrats to your driver too, wasn't exactly the greatest JJ race finish but he ended up good enough to keep steady inthe points, so no sweat i shall say.
ON other news; gone are the racial spawsm of kewv31 but we now have a new one and it must be an ALUMNI OF CARL MARX.Maybe he should join MICHAEL MOORE and move to venezuela or cuba.
works for me...
Reply
10-05-2009 @ 5:59PM
illsell4u said...
You know I do not believe in any of the conspiracy theories, Anna. I was just laying the groundwork for the excuse makers that are surely to come on and piss and moan about Stweart/Haas and Hendrick dominating the circuit. What the hell do these people expect. Of course there is going to be more ink written about them. Of the 6 drivers involved 4 are the winningest drivers for the past decade, or longer, and one of them is the most popular driver in Nascar. That only leaves Newman out, oh well, you can't have it all. Of course this group is going to win a lot of races or have alot of ink written about them whether they win or not.
In all likelihood Kyle Busch and Jr will both be back in the chase and people will piss and moan it was all rigged to boost the ratings. nascar may be going down hill as far as the many manufactured excitement rules changes but I do not for a minute believe they actually rig races so certain drivers or teams can win.
Reply
10-05-2009 @ 7:13PM
nzcr14says said...
THE BITCHING AND MOANING HAS ALREADY STARTED while ago MIKE and JOHN EDWARDS,( for presid.) is the latest one.
NAZCAR warns johnson and martini file POST #30.
It's a good example.Go read it dear. ciao.
10-05-2009 @ 7:42PM
illsell4u said...
I went back and read that post Anna. All I can say is what an idiot. IFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF Hendrick controlled the outcome of the races would he not have so much more to gain by having Jr finish in the top 3 in points rather than 21st or 22nd or whatever he is in now?
Believe it or not these guys actually do drive the cars and every one of them wants to win every race they enter. The smart ones try hard to win it when they have the car to do so and settle for what they can get when they do not. On a side note, if Kyle Busch learned that this season by not making the chase he will probably finish up next year in the top five. The difference is he will probably win less races in doing so.
mbl
Reply
10-06-2009 @ 2:44AM
Susan said...
I am happy that Smoke won. He gave the media a hard time after the race so I am hoping that the old Tony is back. I'm not a fan of drivers going to Hendrick and turning into Saints.
Spencer said that Steve Addington deserved to lose his job as Kylie's crew chief. I had heard Steve's job might be in jeopardy before prior to that very public remark too. It seems to me that he won a lot of races this season to lose his job. Anyone have opinions?
Reply
10-06-2009 @ 3:53AM
xxxsexyveronica said...
Helloo susan dear, i thought you disappeared, lol.
Glad to see you still around.
I was wondering what did steve do?. Why his job is in danger?Still enjoying that stewart win? Looking forward to hear from ya soon. take care.