 |
 |
 |
| Home |
| Nextel Cup |
| Busch Series |
| Photo Gallery |
| Forum |
| Silly Season |
| Newsletter |
| Racefan's Rave |
| Fire and Ice |
| Nextel Cup Series |
DHL 400 - Michigan International Speedway
Newman Wins at MIS
Gordon Will Start from Michigan Pole
Ryan Newman won the 2004 DHL 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday afternoon, scoring his 10th career Nextel Cup victory in his 95th career start. Newman, who led the series with eight wins in 2003, netted his first victory of the season and had to come from a lap down to do it. Newman picked up some paper on his grille in the early goings, causing his car to overheat, and lost a lap when he had to make a green-flag pit spot to remove the debris. Newman was later a benefactor of the “Lucky Dog” rule, gaining back his lost lap around the mid point of the race. Newman took the lead with 17 laps to go and held off Kasey Kahne to take the win under the caution flag. It is the third consecutive race to end under caution and the fourth of the season. Kahne settled for his fourth runner-up finish of this his rookie season. Dale Jarrett crossed the finish line in third, followed by new points leader Jimmie Johnson in fourth and Elliott Sadler rounding out the top five.
Jeff Gordon will start the DHL 400 at Michigan International Speedway from the pole position, leading a Hendrick Motorsports sweep of the top-three starting positions. Gordon’s qualifying lap of 37.723 seconds, at an average speed of 190.865 mph, set the event record, bettering Bobby Labonte’s mark set in 2003. The pole marks the second of the season for Gordon and the 48th of his career. Gordon will have a few familiar faces at the front of the field, as two of his teammates will start second and third. Rookie Brian Vickers will start from the outside pole position while last week’s winner at Pocono, Jimmie Johnson qualified in third. Ryan Newman and Robby Gordon round out the top-five positions on the starting grid.
