Stewart wins feature in ‘Prelude to the Dream’

Tony Stewart won his own charity dirt-track race Wednesday, leading nearly the entire way. Robby Gordon was second in the Old Spice Prelude to the Dream, followed by Clint Bowyer.
Stewart grabbed the lead from Kevin Harvick on the first lap at Eldora Speedway and led the rest of the way in the 30-lap race.

Gordon moved into second by the 20th lap, but couldn’t close.

After the victory, Stewart raised his arms to the cheers of the crowd and then climbed to the top on the chain-link fence that separated the fans from the track.

“This is a new car, a little different design than what we’ve had in the past," Stewart said. “This thing was just easy to drive. It didn’t take skill on my part. The car was just that good. It made it easy."

Stewart applauded Gordon’s effort.

“I told him for years I thought he would be great in a dirt car," Stewart said. “I think he’s one of the most naturally talented drivers that races every week in the Sprint Cup series. I’m proud of it (Gordon’s performance) because it makes me look like a genius."

Coming so close to winning the race last year is one thing that brought Kyle Busch back for another try.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader finished second in the 2007 Prelude to the Dream, edged out by winner Carl Edwards — by 0.3 seconds — and finishing just ahead of Jeff Gordon.

He was among the 25 drivers who competed in the contest Wednesday evening.

“We’re back for more," Busch said. “Finishing second and being so close — that was obviously the first thing, to try to come back and win. Not only that but just the fun."

Busch ended up finishing 10th. More at Yahoo News

RESULTS:

1. (3) Tony Stewart, 30
2. (5) Robby Gordon, 30
3. (7) Clint Bowyer, 30
4. (10) Kenny Wallace, 30
5. (9) Denny Hamlin, 30
6. (2) Matt Kenseth, 30
7. (1) Kevin Harvick, 30
8. (12) Jimmie Johnson, 30
9. (14) Ken Schrader, 30
10. (13) Kyle Busch, 30
11. (16) David Reutimann, 30
12. (18) Ryan Newman, 30
13. (21) Red Farmer, 30
14. (15) Jeff Gordon, 30
15. (23) Cruz Pedregon, 30
16. (22) Ray Evernham, 30
17. (11) Ron Capps, 29
18. (6) Carl Edwards, 18, Mechanical
19. (17) Aric Almirola, 16, Mechanical
20. (4) Dave Blaney, 11, Mechanical
21. (19) J.J. Yeley, 11, Spin T2
22. (23) Kasey Kahne, 9, Mechanical
23. (8) Bobby Labonte, 8, Spin T2