However this season finishes now, he will be ready to step full-time into his role as co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing and whatever else retirement from driving the No. 14 Chevy brings.
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Stewart’s third Sonoma checkered flag was his first NASCAR win in 85 outings.
“We’re probably witnessing a historic moment right now in NASCAR”, third-place finisher Joey Logano said. When they re-entered the course, Stewart was sitting up front. But while Stewart’s path to the Chase is now far clearer than it was prior to Sunday – he’s a mere nine points from being ranked 30th in the standings, a requirement he must meet to qualify – doubts remain whether he can replicate Busch’s performance over an extended period.
The yellow flag waved one more time on lap 92, and Stewart had Hamlin alongside him on the front row for the restart.
Allmendinger reeled in Edwards on the ninth lap – shortly after the day’s first caution – and held the advantage until both drivers made their first pit stop, 25 laps into the race.
Dozens of drivers then pumped their fists out their window to salute Stewart on his victory lap while his father, Nelson, wiped away tears. “It still shows he’s got what it takes if you give him the right stuff, and he’s going to push hard when he needs to”.
The victory snapped an 84-race winless streak. “I’m going for more, just for the record”. With Hamlin between him and the wall, Stewart knew that the race was his if he could bounce his vehicle off Hamlin’s. He missed the first eight races of this season, his last as a NASCAR driver, with a back injury suffered in an off-road vehicle accident one week before the season opened.
“Sonoma Raceway is one of the premier motorsports venues in the nation and our partnership enables us to showcase the freshest line up of cars, trucks and SUVs in the industry”, said Steve Cornelius, president of the Northern California Toyota Dealer Advertising Association.
Anyone who has followed his career knows that Stewart is best when he’s in a bad mood, and Smoke was ornery all weekend in the picturesque wine country. They came jus as Stewart had passed Keselowski for position.
“It’s special, trust me”, Stewart told Fox Sports post-race.
“I didn’t even think I’d have an opportunity, honestly”, Hamlin said.
Stewart first bumped Ward’s auto and knocked it out of the race. He needed to learn about crew chief Mike Bugarewicz.
Amid reports of Summitt’s failing health, her family issued a statement asking for prayers and saying that the 64-year-old Summitt is surrounded by the people who mean the most to her. It also asked for privacy.
“When I went down in 7, I wheel-hopped a little bit and that gave him the whole outside track”.
But Turn 11 has been a thorn for Hamlin – “I think I went six straight years with somebody wrecking me in Turn 11”, he said last week – and the nightmare continued. “As good as he was braking into 11 all day, I couldn’t believe he missed the corner”.
Stewart says he’ll be in crisis mode at Daytona for Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 – even though traditionally, it’s been one of his better tracks, particularly in the July contest where he’s won four races in 17 starts.
Kevin Harvick, who finished sixth with a late push in the Toyota/Save Mart 350, retained his points lead.
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Clint Bowyer, who won here in 2012, had an electrical fire under his dashboard and had to abandon his auto after five laps.
