Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 - North Carolina Speedway

Benson Claims First Win at Rockingham
For Johnny Benson, the long wait is finally over. Benson claimed his first career Winston Cup victory on Sunday, winning the Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 at North Carolina Speedway. Benson took the lead with 29 laps remaining and held off a hard-charging Mark Martin to win by .261 seconds. The win comes in Benson’s 226th career start in the series. Benson becomes the fifth first-time winner this season. Mark Martin led the most laps on the day and finished in the second position, cutting Tony Stewart’s points lead to 87 points with two races remaining. Kurt Busch, vying for his third win in a row, fell just short, coming home in the third spot. A pair of Jeffs rounded out the top-five finishing positions, as Jeff Burton finished fourth and Jeff Gordon came home fifth. Points leader Stewart struggled most of the day and finished 14th.

Newman Takes the Pole at The Rock
Rookie Ryan Newman won his series-leading fifth pole position of the season on Friday afternoon. Newman qualified for the Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 at North Carolina Speedway in 23.494 seconds, at an average speed of 155.835 mph, to earn the sixth pole of his brief career. Jamie McMurray, making his first Winston Cup qualifying attempt, will start along side of Newman on the front row, starting from the outside-pole position. Todd Bodine and Mike Skinner make out the second row, starting third and fourth respectively.