Stenhouse Wins at Iowa in a Wild Finish

Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR

 

 

By Jim Pedley
Special to the Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

 

(August 6, 2011)

 

NEWTON, Iowa—Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Roush Fenway Racing teammate Carl Edwards insist they like each other. But for the second weekend in a row, they sure didn’t act like it.

 

Saturday night at Iowa Speedway, Stenhouse and Edwards banged doors, fenders and feelings as they fought for the victory in the U.S. Cellular 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race.

 

Their final banging occurred a couple of hundred feet from the finish line on the last lap, and it produced a smoky, screeching, metal-bending finish as Edwards rammed Stenhouse’s car from behind and actually pushed it to the victory.

 

“Wow,” both drivers said after climbing from their cars.

 

Stenhouse’s car had blown an engine after exiting Turn 4 and had laid down a glaze of oil on the track.

 

Edwards said he tried to go around Stenhouse but couldn’t as his car slid on the oil and his windshield filled with smoke. Stenhouse admitted to watching Edwards speeding up on him and then blocking his teammate.

 

And then, Stenhouse thanked Edwards for smashing into the rear end of his RFR Ford.

 

“If he wouldn’t have hit us, we definitely would have ended up second,” said Stenhouse, whose victory was his second of the season at the seven-eighths-mile oval. “I knew we had enough momentum to get there (the finish line). I just wasn’t sure if we were going to be first or second. It worked out that we were first.”

 

Edwards led 109 of the race’s 250 laps. Stenhouse led 25.

 

Polesitter Elliott Sadler finished third, Josh Wise was fourth and Aric Almirola fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Reed Sorenson, Kenny Wallace, Steve Wallace, Michael McDowell and David Mayhew, who was making his first Nationwide start.

 

While the race-ending rear-end job by Edwards to Stenhouse was the final run-in between the two drivers Saturday, it was far from the first.

 

They sideswiped each other about halfway through the race. And then, after the final restart of the night with less than 25 laps to go, they went at each other several times before Stenhouse was able to break free.

 

Their physical race at Iowa came a week after they frayed each other’s nerves and tempers at Lucas Oil Raceway in Clermont, Ind.

 

Still, both said they hold no grudges against the other.

 

“Ricky and I are fine,” Edwards said. “Jack (Roush, the team owner) came over and said, ‘Hey, this is exactly what’s supposed to be happening. You’re supposed to have a young guy who’s fast and is frustrating everybody because he’s too aggressive.’ Ricky, he’s really, really fast.

 

“We had a little issue last week, we talked about it and he got excited tonight. He’s just being a little bit overaggressive.”

 

Stenhouse, the Nationwide points leader, left Iowa with a 12-point lead over Sorenson. Sadler is third, 29 behind Stenhouse.

 

Sorenson won the second of four NASCAR Nationwide Series “Dash 4 Cash” races, where a $100,000 bonus was on the line between him and three other eligible drivers. The next “Dash 4 Cash” race is at Richmond on Sept. 10.

 

 

2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series

U.S. Cellular 250

Newton, Iowa

Iowa Speedway

Race Results 

1. 6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. RickyvsTrevor.com Ford
2. 60 Carl Edwards Fastenal Ford
3. 2 Elliott Sadler OneMain Financial Chevrolet
4. 7 Josh Wise iRacing.com Chevrolet
5. 88 Aric Almirola Ragu/HyVee Chevrolet
6. 32 Reed Sorenson Dollar General Chevrolet
7. 9 Kenny Wallace American Ethanol/Iowa Corn Toyota
8. 66 Steve Wallace 5-hour Energy Toyota
9. 18 Michael McDowell Pizza Ranch Toyota
10. 33 David Mayhew Rheem/Menards Chevrolet
11. 20 Drew Herring SportClips Toyota
12. 62 Michael Annett Northland Oil Toyota
13. 38 Jason Leffler Great Clips Chevrolet
14. 11 Brian Scott Shore Lodge Toyota
15. 70 Scott Wimmer Foretravel Motorcoach Chevrolet
16. 87 Joe Nemechek D.A.B Constructors, Inc. Toyota
17. 51 Jeremy Clements Clements Racing Engines Chevrolet
18. 19 Mike Bliss TriStar Motorsports Chevrolet
19. 30 Mikey Kile AccuDoc Solutions Chevrolet
20. 39 Joey Gase Agrigold Seed Ford
21. 15 Timmy Hill  Lilly Trucking Ford
22. 40 Charles Lewandoski  Key Motorsports Chevrolet
23. 23 Robert Richardson Jr. North TX Pipe Chevrolet
24. 22 Sam Hornish Jr. Discount Tire Dodge
25. 16 Trevor Bayne 3M Ford
26. 14 Eric McClure Hefty BlackOut/Reynolds Chevrolet
27. 52 Tim Schendel Marr Promotions Chevrolet
28. 81 Blake Koch  Daystar.com Dodge
29. 31 Justin Allgaier Brandt Chevrolet
30. 28 Derrike Cope MAXelence.com Chevrolet
31. 1 Mike Wallace Iowa 80 Truckstop Chevrolet
32. 89 Morgan Shepherd Victory In Jesus Racing Chevrolet
33. 13 Jennifer Jo Cobb  TenForJen.com Dodge
34. 2 Jamie Dick VivaAutoGroup.com Chevrolet
35. 41 Matt Carter Lilly Trucking Chevrolet
36. 74 Mike Harmon IPT Pellet Grills Chevrolet
37. 49 Mark Green Jay Robinson Racing Chevrolet
38. 75 Johnny Chapman Fastwax.com Ford
39. 46 Chase Miller Key Motorsports Chevrolet
40. 71 Carl Long Lilly Trucking Ford
41. 42 Tim Andrews Key Motorsports Chevrolet
42. 47 Brian Keselowski Key Motorsports Chevrolet
43. 44 Jeff Green TriStar Motorsports Chevrolet

All in the Fuel Tank! Allgaier Breezes to Chicagoland Nationwide Victory

Photo Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images for NASCAR

The 14th race on the 2011 Nationwide series schedule, the competitors of NASCAR's second-highest touring division enjoyed a solo outing away from the Sprint Cup series at Chicagoland Speedway. With only three drivers (Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski and Carl Edwards) trailing away from a Sprint Cup series weekend to compete in Saturday's STP 300 on the 1.5 mile oval, the NASCAR series regulars as well as other aspiring stock car drivers stood poised to post strong showings within the 200-lap race. 

After enduring a rain shower that has previously washed-out qualifying, the STP 300 started with the JR Motorsports #88 Chevrolet of Aric Almirola and the Kevin Harvick Incorporated #2 Chevy driven by Elliott Sadler leading the 42-car NASCAR Nationwide series based on the season's car owners' points standings. Almirola held an early lead at Chicagoland but would quickly fall into the clutches of one of the Sprint Cup series visitors. In a hurry, Sprint Cup regular Carl Edwards took the lead on lap 9 after starting 4th in the event. Leading for 144 of the 200 race laps however, the #60 Ford of Edwards asserted total control of the Chicagoland Speedway event. Against the dominanace of Edwards through much of the STP 300 race distance, Elliott Sadler was able to muster the lead for the second-most laps for a total of 29 circuits.

Slowed only four times by caution, the 300-mile distance flew by on the racetrack with eventual result of only 9 cars finishing on the lead lap. With the final yellow flag getting displayed on lap 140, the STP 300 at Chicagoland Speedway took on the complexity of a fuel economy run to the finish line. Into the final laps, Carl Edwards and Justin Allgaier driving the #31 Chevrolet for Turner Motorsports had taken the top-two positions both running desperately short on the E20 blended racing fuel. Going down the backstretch through the final lap, the #60 Ford of Edwards began to hiccup starving for fuel giving Allgaier the opportunity to pass. On his way to a skillful victory through turn 3 and 4, the #31 Chevrolet suddenly ran its fuel tank dry. Coasting on the apron down the frontstretch, Allgaier stayed ahead of the still enduring Edwards car to win the STP 400.

Photo Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images for NASCAR

Strongly seated in the top-10 with Carl Edwards, Roush-Fenway Racing wing man Trevor Bayne was once again a force in the NASCAR Nationwide Series after being sidelined for a long stint due to a complicated illness. Bayne's return to the STP 300 at Chicagoland Speedway was the 2011 Daytona 500 winning driver's first time back in a NASCAR competition since the April 23rd event at Nashville Superspeedway. In a better situation on fuel, Bayne stood a chance to claim a first NASCAR Nationwide series win if the race went one lap longer.


Justin Allgaier's victory at Chicagoland Speedway is the driver's second career victory and second win of the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series for Turner Motorsports. Ironically in similar last-lap pass fashion, Mark Martin won at Texas Motor Speed for the team when Brad Keselowski blew a tire while leading. Overall, the Turner Motorsports Chevrolets prevailed nicely at the checkered flag with Allgaier's teammates Jason Leffler and Reed Sorenson both claiming top-10 finishes. Leffler came home 5th while current NASCAR Nationwide Series points leader Sorenson finished 6th in the #32 Dollar General Chevy. Sorenson holds a tight 2 point lead ahead of Elliott Sadler and rests only 6 points forward of Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Other notable finishes when the top-10 of the STP 300 includes a 7th place run for Kenny Wallace and an 8th place result for former JR Motorsports driver Kelly Bires. Speaking of JR Motorsports, IZOD INDYCAR Series driver Danica Patrick finished 10th in his one of her select NASCAR Nationwide series starts for 2011. Patrick's second top-10 career run in the #7 Chevrolet comes as rumours swirled last week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway the popular driver was going to NASCAR full-time in 2012. Presently having an equity stake in her own INDYCAR team with Andretti Autosport, her current contract will still have a year remaining after this season. Danica Patrick has yet to confirm her plans for the 2012 racing season.

Presented with a weekend-off, the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide series will next race on June 18th rejoining the Sprint Cup series companionship at the Michigan International Speedway.


2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series
STP 300
Chicagoland Speedway

Race Results

1. 31 Justin Allgaier Brandt Chevrolet
2. 60 Carl Edwards Fastenal Ford
3. 16 Trevor Bayne Avnet / BMA Ford
4. 88 Aric Almirola TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet
5. 38 Jason Leffler Great Clips Chevrolet
6. 32 Reed Sorenson Dollar General Chevrolet
7. 09 Kenny Wallace Family Farmers / Marquis Energy Toyota
8. 18 Kelly Bires Heil Heating and Cooling Products Toyota
9. 62 Michael Annett Pilot Travel Centers / Flying J Toyota
10. 7 Danica Patrick Tissot / GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
11. 2 Elliott Sadler OneMain Financial Chevrolet
12. 66 Steve Wallace 5-hour Energy Toyota
13. 33 Kevin Harvick Rheem Chevrolet
14. 6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. RickyvsTrevor.com Ford
15. 15 Timmy Hill  Nuts Off / Lilly Trucking of VA Ford
16. 01 Mike Wallace CowboysandAliensMovie.com Chevrolet
17. 11 Brian Scott Sandvik Toyota
18. 14 Eric McClure Hefty BlackOut / Reynolds Chevrolet
19. 70 Scott Wimmer ForeTravel Motorcoach Chevrolet
20. 99 Ryan Truex  Pastrana Waltrip Racing Toyota
21. 87 Joe Nemechek NEMCO Motorsports Toyota
22. 19 Mike Bliss TriStar Motorsports Chevrolet
23. 28 Derrike Cope Jay Robinson Inc. Chevrolet
24. 40 Charles Lewandoski # Key Motorsports Chevrolet
25. 89 Morgan Shepherd Victory in Jesus Racing Chevrolet
26. 39 Josh Wise Cajun Industries Ford
27. 81 Blake Koch  Daystar.com Dodge
28. 52 Kevin Lepage Just Rite Acoustics Chevrolet
29. 51 Jeremy Clements Gerber Collision & Glass Chevrolet
30. 22 Brad Keselowski Discount Tire Dodge
31. 41 Carl Long Lilly Trucking of VA Ford
32. 23 Robert Richardson Jr. North Texas Pipe Dodge
33. 30 Mikey Kile Sears Auto Center Chevrolet
34. 79 Tim Andrews 2nd Chance Motorsports Ford
35. 49 Dennis Setzer Jay Robinson Inc. Chevrolet
36. 13 Rick Crawford DriverMale.com Ford
37. 68 Matt Carter Fleur-de-lis Farms Chevrolet
38. 75 Johnny Chapman Lilly Trucking of VA Ford
39. 74 Mike Harmon Riverwalk Cafe Chevrolet
40. 44 Jeff Green Tri-Star Motorsports / Pro Motor Chevrolet
41. 46 Chase Miller Key Motorsports Chevrolet
42. 55 Brett Rowe Imperial Bedding Chevrolet

2011 Plans for Go Canada Racing Announced; Two Sprint Cup Runs Planned

Photo Credit: Greig Reekie

This past weekend's NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Nashville Superspeedway marked the inaugural outing for the #67 Go Canada Racing Ford Mustang. A team founded by Canadian investment firm co-founder Steve Meehan, the new Nationwide Series race team was assembled around Canadian stock car prospect J.R. Fitzpatrick. In the Nashville 300 race last Saturday, Fitzpatrick and the #67 Go Canada Racing team qualified 21st. In their first field test as a full-fledged organization, the efforts over the race's 300-miles secured a 27st place finish 4 laps down to Nashville winner Carl Edwards. While the team was disappointed not to experience breakaway success, the #67 Canadian-based NASCAR Nationwide Series team completed the final distance of their initial event. 

Determined to build on their first track appearance, Go Canada Racing has announced plans for 9 additional NASCAR Nationwide Series events in 2011. Consisting of 6 ovals and all 3 road courses, the team's next race will by the May event at the one-mile Dover International Speedway. JR Fitzpatrick will wheel the #67 stock car in these Nationwide Series races having competed on all tracks with exception of Chicagoland in either previous NASCAR Nationwide or Camping World Truck Series events.

JR Fitzpatrick and Go Canada Racing will also vie to be part of the August NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Ponoco Raceway as well as the road course at Watkins Glen. Qualifying for either of these races will be a significant first for the race team and Fitzpatrick.


NASCAR Nationwide Series

May 14- Dover International Speedway (Dover, DE
Jun 18- Michigan International Speedway (Brooklyn, MI)
Jun 25- Road America (Elkhart Lake, WI)
Jul 16- New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Loudon, NH)
Aug 20- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Montreal, QC, Canada)
Sep 17- Chicagoland Speedway (Chicago,Il)
Oct 1- Dover International Speedway (Dover, DE)
Nov 12- Phoenix International Raceway (Phoenix, AZ)
Nov 19- Homestead-Miami Speedway (Miami, FL)


NASCAR Sprint Cup
Aug 7- Pocono International Raceway (Pocono, PA)
Aug 14- Watkins Glen International (Watkins Glen, NY)