Old Dominion 500 - Martinsville Speedway

Busch Wins at Martinsville

Kurt Busch

Kurt Busch held off a hard-charging Johnny Benson to win the Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville Speedway. A fast pit stop on lap 343 put Busch third in the running order, he then took the lead on lap 389 and held on the rest of the way to beat Benson by .46 seconds. Busch overcame an early-race spin and fought back to win for the second time this season, he also won the spring race at Bristol. Busch, who started the event in the 36th position, won from the deepest starting spot in Martinsville history. For Benson, the second-place finish was his top effort this season. Ricky Rudd came back from a flat tire in the early goings and two lost laps to finish third, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ward Burton, who led the most laps in the race, rounded out the top five.

Newman Roars to Martinsville Pole
Rookie Ryan Newman equaled his rookie counterpart Jimmie Johnson and Bill Elliott on Friday afternoon, scoring his fourth pole position of the season. Newman qualified in 20.397 seconds, at an average speed of 92.837 mph, to edge Jeff Gordon for the top starting spot in the Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville Speedway. For Newman, it is his fifth career pole position. Gordon will start from the outside-pole position, followed by Bill Elliott and Ward Burton in the second row.