AT&T 250 - The Milwaukee Mile

Menard Masters Milwaukee Mile
It was a wild night of racing action at America’s oldest race track with Paul Menard picking up his long-awaited first career NASCAR Busch Series victory in the AT&T 250 at the famed Milwaukee Mile. The day started off on a historic note as Aric Almirola, subbing for a traveling Denny Hamlin, became the first Cuban-American driver to win a pole in any of NASCAR’s three touring series. According to NASCAR rules Denny Hamlin was forced to start on the rear of the field but moved quickly through the pack to take the lead on lap 80. His Joe Gibbs Chevrolet looked like the class of the field, however, other competitors proved strong competition as the race unfolded. Series regular Jason Leffler took the lead with 83 laps remaining and seemed to have the race wrapped up making up a 2 ½ second deficit to leader Hamlin in just 10 laps. But a miscue on lap 205 caused Leffler to spin out at the entrance to pit road as he attempted to make a pit stop. Ironically, the spin came as his main competition, Hamlin, was making a green flag pit stop. Wisconsin native Paul Menard took the lead on the restart as a series of caution periods unfolded. Points leader Kevin Harvick moved into second spot by taking advantage of the cautions as what seemed to be a sure win for Menard evaporated with Harvick on the tail of Menard’s electric yellow Chevrolet. On a restart on lap 247, Harvick Harvick got Menard a little sideways as J.J. Yeley tapped the back of Harvick which caused a multi-car melee. This set up a green-white-checker finish with Menard, Yeley, Hamlin and Leffler the main players. Menard got a good jump on the pack at the restart and cruised to his first win in front of a hometown crowd. Dan Stillman, Menard’s crew chief, is also a native of Wisconsin, which added a little spice to the win. The top five finishing order was Menard, Hamlin, Yeley, Leffler and Mike Wallace. Menard is now sixth in points for the top series regular in the points battle.

AT&T 250 Notes
· Race Results · Ford Post-Race Quotes · Point Standings · Owner Point Standings · Starting Lineup · Qualifying Results · Final Practice · Practice 2: Rookie Practice · Practice 1 · Qualifying Order · Entry List · Race Notes · Weekend Schedule · Raybestos Rookie Notes · Erin Crocker Notes	· Kevin Harvick Notes · Carl Edwards Notes · Clint Bowyer Notes · Kyle Busch Notes · Kenny Wallace Notes · John Andretti Notes · Jason Leffler Notes · Todd Kluever Notes · David Green Notes · Danny O’Quinn, Jr. Notes · Tim Sauter Notes · Scott Wimmer Notes · David Stremme Notes · Jerick Johnson Notes · Jason White Notes

Aric Almirola Puts Hamlin's Car on Milwaukee Pole
Aric Almirola put Denny Hamlin’s Rockwell Automation Chevrolet on the pole position for the AT&T 250 at The Milwaukee Mile. However, the No. 20 car will have to start tonight’s race from the rear of the field because of the driver change. Hamlin, who is also running the Nextel Cup race at Sonoma, will arrive shortly before the race to take over driving duties from Almirola, who was hired to practice and qualify the car. After topping the speed charts in the final practice session, Almirola won the pole with a lap of 29.431 seconds, at an average speed of 122.320 mph. Johnny Sauter will start on the outside pole after qualifying in the second position. Paul Menard qualified in the third spot but will get to move up to start from the first position when the green flag drops. Clint Bowyer skipped out on the final practice at Sonoma to earn the fourth starting spot on the grid, while Steve Wallace rounds out the top-five starting positions for the AT&T 250.