On further review, Stewart prevails

A pack of cars behind Dale Earnhardt Jr. loses control after Brian Vickers blew a tire at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Martin Truex spins behind Earnhardt as Vickers (83) slams into Jamie McMurray. (AP photo / October 5, 2008)

TALLADEGA, Ala. - Tony Stewart was the first driver convicted of dipping below NASCAR's out-of-bounds line, learning a valuable lesson in 2001 at Daytona that he has carried with him the past seven years.

So when Regan Smith slid under the line yesterday at Talladega Superspeedway to finish first, Stewart was certain he would be awarded his first victory of the season.

NASCAR agreed with him, and Stewart made his first trip to Talladega's Victory Lane in 20 career starts. But Smith was adamant he had done nothing wrong, arguing that the two-time series champion forced him below the line in a desperate blocking attempt.

"You're darn right I did. I've lost Daytona 500s, I've lost races here at Talladega because somebody blocked," Stewart said. "That's the name of the game. There's always been people blocking. The nice thing is I was actually on the right end of it this time.

"Trust me, I've got no regrets about what I did. I did exactly what I needed to do to win the race, and it worked out."

Smith was in second and trailed Stewart for the final three laps, and the rookie made one try to grab his first career win by ducking inside Stewart to attempt a pass. Stewart wouldn't relent, moving with Smith until Smith dived below the yellow line to make the pass. He moved back onto the racing surface in front of Stewart and cruised 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. Smith went with Dale Earnhardt Inc. president Max Siegel to argue the decision but was rebuffed and dropped to 18th in the final finishing order.

"They can argue about it for five years; they're not going to change the decision. That's not how NASCAR works," Smith said. "I totally disagree with them 110percent. I clearly moved to the outside, moved back to the inside. Tony made a move to the high side and made a move to the bottom side.

"My nose was in there. The only other option I had was to wreck him."

The ruling helped Stewart break a 43-race winless streak dating to Watkins Glen last year and allowed him to cross Talladega off his list of tracks where he had failed to win. Talladega has taunted him for 10years, as he finished second six times.

It looked as if he would again come up short in his final race here with Joe Gibbs Racing, especially after he was caught in an accident Friday. Crew chief Greg Zipadelli decided to fix the damaged car instead of moving to the backup, and the No. 20 crew worked that night making the repairs.

Then a poor qualifying effort Saturday - Stewart started 34th - made some wonder whether the team had chose wisely in sticking with the damaged car.

Stewart proved everyone wrong yesterday with flawless strategy that helped him avoid a late 12-car accident and execute a perfect restart when Smith and two of his DEI teammates were lurking behind him on the final sprint to the finish.

"I knew with three DEI cars behind me, it was going to be tough to hold on," Stewart said.

Stewart got the jump, but he wisely made sure he didn't pull too far out and give the DEI contingent the opportunity to gang up and blow past him. Then he blocked Smith - until the very end.

Stewart had concern in his voice as he questioned whether Smith would be awarded the win, but he quickly started the celebration when his spotter gave the "20 is the winner" declaration.

"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."

Paul Menard, who said this week he'll leave DEI at the end of the season, was a career-high second and was followed by rookie David Ragan and Chase drivers Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer.

A NASCAR-record 28 drivers led, and there were 31lead changes. The race also featured several tire failures and lived up to its reputation as the "wild card" of the 10 Chase events. Because of its white-knuckle racing conditions, Talladega is the Chase race every driver fears will ruin his title hopes.

It did for Denny Hamlin, who was hospitalized after his tire exploded while he was leading and his car slammed into the outside wall. He finished 39th and dropped to last in the Chase field.

Related topic galleries: Joe Gibbs, Tony Stewart, Vehicles, NASCAR, Daytona 500

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