The win in NASCAR’s longest race, which was postponed from Sunday because of rain, was the first for Michael Waltrip Racing—now in its third season of Cup competition—and the first for a Toyota team other than Joe Gibbs Racing. Reutimann led five laps, all under the final caution. He was running 14th when rain started falling on Lap 221.
Track officials attempted to dry the track, but persistent rain forced NASCAR to call the race at 6:23 p.m. (et), two hours after the red flag was displayed. It was the shortest 600 in the event’s history.
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This year’s Daytona 500 was also curtailed due to rain, with Matt Kenseth picking up the victory.
He also became the sixth driver to win his first Cup race in NASCAR’s longest event of the year, joining David Pearson (1961), Jeff Gordon (1994), Bobby Labonte (1995), Kenseth (2000) and Casey Mears (2007).
Below is a look at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series top 12, along with other notable drivers, going into the Autism Speaks 400 presented by Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips & Cheese at Dover International Speedway on May 31. (Note: Drivers listed below who are outside the top 12 are chosen based on past performances at the upcoming track and/or are within striking distance of the top 12.)
1 – Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 107.5
2009 Rundown
• One win, six top fives, eight top 10s
• Average finish of 10.1
• Led eight races for a total of 496 laps
Dover International Speedway Outlook:
• Four wins, 14 top fives, 20 top 10s; four poles
• Average finish of 11.9
• Finished seventh in September
• Led 19 of 32 races for 2,231 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Series-high 299 Fastest Laps Run
2 – Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 99.6
2009 Rundown
• Five top fives, eight top 10s
• Average finish of 10.2
• Led five races for 54 laps
Dover International Speedway Outlook:
• Two wins, nine top fives, 12 top 10s
• Average finish of 12.2
• Finished 11th in September
• Led 10 of 20 races for 1,061 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 10.7, fifth-best
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David Reutimann Wins The Rain Shortened NASCAR Sprint Cup Race at Lowes
NASCAR Sprint Cup Sereies: Coca Cola 600 - Race Results
3 – Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 99.3
2009 Rundown
• One win, three top fives, six top 10s
• Average finish of 12.2
• Led seven races for 322 laps
Dover International Speedway Outlook:
• Two top fives, four top 10s
• Average finish of 21.4
• Finished 34th in September
• Led four of 17 races for 225 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 10.0, third-best
4 – Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 101.7
2009 Rundown
• One win, five top fives, seven top 10s
• Average finish of 13.7
• Led 10 races for 319 laps
Dover International Speedway Outlook:
• Three wins, five top fives, nine top 10s; one pole
• Average finish of 11.1
• Finished fifth in September
• Led nine of 14 races for 637 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 10.0, second-best
5 – Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 100.0
2009 Rundown
• Two top fives, four top 10s
• Average finish of 12.4
• Led four races for 479 laps
Dover International Speedway Outlook:
• One top five, two top 10s
• Average finish of 23.8
• Finished 38th in September
• Led one of six races for 61 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 10.3, fourth-most
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6 – Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 107.1
2009 Rundown
• Three wins, four top fives, five top 10s
• Average finish of 15.8
• Led eight races for 789 laps
Dover International Speedway Outlook:
• One win, five top fives
• Average finish of 14.4
• Finished 43rd in September
• Led three of eight races for 270 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• 236 Fastest Laps Run, third-most
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