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Stewart Prevails At Talladega

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The Associated Press

Published: October 6, 2008

TALLADEGA, Ala. - Tony Stewart ended his frustrating winless season Sunday by earning his first Sprint Cup Series victory at Talladega Superspeedway when NASCAR ruled Regan Smith's last-lap pass was illegal.

Smith was in second and trailed Stewart for the final three laps around Talladega, and the rookie made one desperate attempt to grab his first career victory by ducking inside of the two-time champion to attempt a pass.

Stewart blocked, Smith dived below the yellow out-of-bounds line at the bottom of the track to make the pass, and beat Stewart to the finish line. NASCAR reviewed the move - a driver is allowed to make the pass if officials believe he was forced under the line - and declared it illegal.

The ruling gave Stewart his first win of the season and snapped a 43-race winless streak dating to Watkins Glen last year. It also was his first career Cup win at Talladega, which has taunted him for 10 years as he finished second a maddening six times

"Man, it's one thing to get back to Victory Lane - but to do it at Talladega - this is one of four places I haven't won a Cup race, and talk about one to win," Stewart said. "I wanted to win here for so long."

CHASE IMPACT: Jimmie Johnson pushed his lead in the standings to 72 points over Carl Edwards. Greg Biffle is in third, 77 out.

HE SAID IT: "I was always told that the rule is if you get forced down there, then you are the winner of the race and on the last lap, anything goes. That's what I'm going with." - Smith

Pit Stops

•The race had a NASCAR-record 31 lead changes, several tire failures and lived up to its reputation as the "wild card" of the 10 Chase events.

•Denny Hamlin was taken to a Birmingham hospital after his tire exploded while he was leading and his car slammed into the outside wall. He was held overnight for observation.

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