As promised, Michigan International Speedway provided exciting racing once again. The two-mile track nestled in the picturesque Irish Hills of Brooklyn, Michigan, didn’t disappoint as it delivered a first-time polesitter and broke a 52-race losing streak.

J.J. Yeley captured the Budweiser Pole award, pacing the field for the Citizen’s Bank 400. Unfortunately, the position was taken by Jimmie Johnson before the first lap was even complete, nosing Yeley out of the way and out of the draft. Johnson’s lead continued until lap 11, when the strong DEI machine of Martin Truex, Jr. passed Johnson.

Ryan Newman experienced tire problems early, but no caution was called because he made it to pit road without endangering the racing. Truex’s lead grew over the No. 48 to almost four seconds. The No. 1 swiftly began lapping cars, including teammates Elliott Sadler and Scott Riggs, Mark Martin and his replacement David Ragan.

Green flag pit stops began near lap 38, with Truex handing off the lead to Denny Hamlin as Truex came in for service. Truex resumed the lead with Johnson following close behind after pit stops cycled through the field. Truex lapped more cars until the first caution flag flew on lap 52 for debris. The leaders once again head down pit road for adjustments.

A two tire stop let Truex retain the lead after pit stops but Johnson’s team elected to change four, giving the No. 48 the speed it needed to catch and pass the No. 1. Johnson continues to lead until lap 69, when rookie Juan Pablo Montoya slaps the wall and brings out the yellow flag.

Another flurry of short pit stops take place, with Jeff Gordon taking the top spot for the first time. The green flag flies on lap 75, but is quickly replaced with a yellow flag when Newman, attempting to get one of his three laps back from the leader, caused a crash which collected innocent bystanders Brian Vickers and Matt Kenseth. Jeff Green is also involved.

The remains of the mêlée are removed from the track and Gordon once again takes the green flag at lap 80. He retains the lead until lap 90, when teammate Johnson passes him for the top spot. Another round of green-flag stops come at lap 110, and just as the leaders cycle to the top of the charts, Sadler turns Tony Raines into the grass, damaging both cars.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was scored as the leader following that round of pit stops, but trouble with the Budweiser Chevrolet forced him to pit a second time in quick succession, relinquishing the lead to Johnson. It is Johnson who paces the restart at lap 121.

Carl Edwards, after overcoming a pit road speeding penalty, clawed his way to the top and eventually passed leader Johnson on lap 132. Like Truex before him, Edwards’ car is strong enough to lap more and more cars. Truex stayed close behind in second, and regained the lead when yet another round of green flag stops began at lap 164.

Most teams are calculating fuel mileage, and expect these stops to be the last. Johnson again takes the lead after stops are complete, and takes the green flag at 164. Hungry to be in front, Edwards charged forward from second place to grab the lead once more.

The last stops and last lead change proved to be crucial as Edwards and the second place Truex cruised by more cars to leave only 14 on the lead lap. The two were split by less than a second with Truex closing. Johnson, contending for third place, ran out of fuel with only a few laps to go. Edwards and Truex were clear to race to the finish. With four laps to go, Edwards had lapped four more cars, leaving Jeff Gordon in the 10th spot as the last on the lead lap.

A scrape with the wall robbed Truex of some momentum and slowly allowed Edwards’ lead to grow to almost three seconds. For the first time in 52 races, Edwards crossed the finish line first, breaking a long losing streak, and, perhaps more importantly, allowing his long-suffering coach driver Tom Giacchi to shave his beard. Giacchi long ago vowed not to shave until Edwards won a cup race, and Edwards had last won in November 2005.

Following Edwards over the finish line was Truex, Tony Stewart, Casey Mears and Earnhardt, Jr. Jeff Gordon still retains the overall points lead, followed by Hamlin in second, Johnson, Kenseth and Jeff Burton. A notable addition to the top twelve is Earnhardt, Jr., who is still recovering from NASCAR’s punishment of points and the removal of his crew chief.

Stay tuned for next week’s race in Sonoma, in the heart of wine country, for the Save Mart 350. Twists, turns and lots of drama are always headed our way when NASCAR hits Infineon!

Race Results

NEXTEL Cup Standings

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