Busch gets first career win at Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Quite often when dissed by a competitor -- as he was Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway by Kurt Busch -- Jimmy Spencer makes it clear that he has a long memory.

I never forget, he says.

He voiced that very opinion yet again Sunday after Busch tapped his rear end with 55 laps remaining to regain the lead hed lost just one lap prior, a lead that Busch ultimately converted into victory in the Food City 500. But Busch, whose win Sunday marked the first of his NASCAR Winston Cup Series career, didnt quite see it that way.

Kurt Busch (left) and Jimmy Spencer battle for the lead. Credit: AP

He not only questioned Spencers memory, he flat out said he forgot a former altercation.

Jimmy Spencer forgot about what he did to me last year at Phoenix, said an elated Busch in Victory Lane. Im not gonna say I dont forget things, I just didnt think I should give up the lead that easily.

One year after Elliott Sadler stretched his final set of tires 162 laps to earn his first career win here, Busch rode the same set of rubber 157 circuits to a similar outcome. He was running second to Dale Earnhardt Jr. on lap 409 when the caution flew.

Earnhardt Jr. pitted, cycling Busch into the lead. He stayed out front until Spencer got by him in lapped traffic 34 laps later. The following lap, Busch tapped the rear end of Spencers Dodge to regain the lead, an advantage he never relinquished, earning win number one in his 48th career start.

Spencer was disgruntled following the race, and offered Busch a bit of advice.

I never touched him, never laid a tire on him, said Spencer of the love tap. He just hit me in the back bumper. When youre up in the top-five, you better respect your competitors, cause itll come back to haunt you. I didnt do anything to him, he shouldnt have done it to me.

After the love tap, Busch extended his lead by more than a second when Hermie Sadler slammed the wall with 20 laps to go, bringing out the days 14th and final caution. Despite the worn tires, Busch got an excellent restart when the race resumed with 15 laps remaining, then stretched his lead over Spencer with each passing lap.

Defending champ Elliott Sadler finished 41st. Credit: AP

I saw Elliott Sadler do it last year, said Busch, a Las Vegas native, of the long tire run. These tires last forever. The line in Vegas? 50 to 1, 10 to 1, I dont know. My mom always puts money on me. I tell her not to, but Im glad she did today.

Spencers second-place finish is by far his best of the season, but having nearly won after an eight-year drought, that offered little solace.

Busch just smashed right into me, Spencer said on the radio as he exited his machine. I never forget. Only thing is, when I smash back, he wont finish.

Ricky Rudd earned his best finish of the year with a third-place effort, while Earnhardt Jr. rolled home fourth. Earnhardt Jr. led a race-high 181 laps before the last tire stop - one he says did not cost him the race.

I didnt think we were good enough to win, Earnhardt Jr. said. People might think we gave up the win, but no, wed have given it up eventually, anyway.

			Dale Earnhardt Jr. led more laps than anyone on Sunday. Credit: AP

Earnhardt Jr. was involved in some post-race fireworks, as well. As the final laps wound down, he engaged in heated battled with Robby Gordon, a lapped car. Gordon said Earnhardt Jr. had turned his Chevrolet sideways earlier in the event.

After restarting 10th following the last tire stop, Earnhardt Jr. made up six positions lost on the stop before reaching Gordon. Unable to pass Gordon, he was unable to ascend any higher than fourth in the final rundown.

Miffed, he tapped Gordon after the checkered flag. Gordon then retaliated on pit road, spinning Earnhardt Jr.'s Chevrolet around a la last seasons Jeff Gordon/Tony Stewart saga. Both Earnhardt Jr. and Robby Gordon were summoned to the NASCAR trailer following the altercation.

Damn (Gordon) racing the leaders with about 10 to go, that's why it takes three or four times for him to get into the Winston Cup Series, cause he don't pay attention and he don't know what he's doing, Earnhardt Jr. said. He was a moving chicane the whole race, he wouldn't move.

Gordon disagreed.

I think he was the moving chicane, Gordon said. The only reason he finished there is cause he moved everybody outta the way. After the race, he ran in the side of me, so I hit him back.

			Tony Stewart is carried from his car.

Former Winston Cup director Gary Nelson said Gordon would likely receive a penalty similar to Stewarts a year ago, which entailed a $10,000 and probation through August.

Speaking of Stewart, he was forced out of the Home Depot Pontiac prematurely. Running third on lap 366, Stewart spun all alone in Turn 2. He had been complaining for more than 100 laps that he was extremely sore from last weeks accident at Darlington. Following the spin, Stewart over the reins to Todd Bodine.

After all that, Busch prevailed. After a cool-down lap, he snagged the checkered flag and course the half-mile Bristol bullring, waving it out the window.

Were really proud of Kurt, said team owner Jack Roush. All the guys at the 97 have really stepped up this year. This is a great win today. Theres gonna be a lot more of that to come.

ALDERMAN COLLECTS FIRST LATE MODEL WIN AT BULLRING AT LVMS

Race action was in full-swing for The Orleans NASCAR Weekly Racing Series at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Saturday night.

Thane Alderman posted his first NASCAR Late Model win after qualifying eighth for the 40-lap main event. Alderman moved up to fourth by the half-way mark behind leader Ray Hooper Jr., Mike Cofer and Wayne Jacks. Alderman and Cofer battled side-by-side for the lead out of Turn 2 on lap 32. Alderman took command and held his lead to the checkered flag. Cofer finished second followed by Scott Gafforini and Ray Hooper Jr.

The crew did a great job, Alderman said. I want to thank the other racers for clean racing, real clean

In NASCAR Outlaw Stock action, Glenn Burke and Dick Attisani collected wins in the twin 20-lap main events. Burke held off Michael Haslam and Len DeJoria for the win in the first main event. Burke and Haslam played bumper tag in the second main event until both were black flagged on lap 15. Attisani who was running second, passed Mark Schottmuller on the inside to take the lead. Attisani took the checkered flag followed by Tom Youmans and Schottmuller.

It was great, the 60-year-old Attisani said. That was for all the senior citizens.

Guy Griebel collected his first NASCAR Charger win in the 25-lap main event. Tom Youmans gave Griebel a good run, but Griebel was able to hold his lead to take the checkered flag. Youmans finished second followed by Don Sargent and Travis Swalwell.

This is my first victory out here and my first year of racing, Griebel said. I give it to Tom (Youmans) he came from way back in the pack. He is the guy to beat out here.

Michael Morrissey proved strong in the Legends Cars division. He took the lead on lap 10 of the 20-lap main event. David Anderson battled Morrissey hard for the lead through to two green, white, checkered periods on the last laps. Morrissey was able to hold off Anderson for the win.

Darren Rollins won the Inaugural Bullring Bombers 25-lap main event.

NASCAR Late Model Main Event Results (40 laps): 1. Thane Alderman, 2. Mike Cofer, 3. Scott Gafforini, 4. Ray Hooper Jr., 5. Steve Anderson, 6. Dennis Rock Jr., 7. George Antill, 8. Jerry Spilsbury, 9. Darren Michels, 10. Steve Rzesnowiecky, 11. David Quartaro, 12. Bill Newman, 13. Fabian Bray, 14. Cindy Clark, 15. Mike Ayers, 16. Wayne Jacks, 17. Chuck Trickle, 18. Lance Magin, 19. Nick Antrillo, 20. Rick Rochell, 21. Greg Haase, 22. Jeff Perkins, 23. Rich Attisani, 24. Sam Crow, 25. Charlie Pike, 26. Chris Clyne.

(Patrick Vogel was disqualified after post-race technical inspection for weight violation)

NASCAR Outlaw Stocks Main Event No. 1 Results (20 laps): 1. Glenn Burke, 2. Michael Haslam, 3. Len Dejoria, 4. Mark Schottmuller, 5. Ron Barrette, 6. Pat Petrie Jr., 7. Robert Rittgers, 8. Dan Howell, 9. Errol Sharron, 10. Tom Youmans, 11. Shannon Hughes, 12. Dick Attisani, 13. Jim Petrie.

NASCAR Outlaw Stocks Main Event No. 2 Results (20 laps): 1. Dick Attisani, 2. Tom Youmans, 3. Mark Schottmuller, 4. Len DeJoria, 5. Ron Barrette, 6. Errol Sharron, 7. Pat Petrie Jr., 8. Michael Haslam, 9. Glenn Burke, 10. Dan Howell, 11. Jim Petrie.

NASCAR Chargers Main Event Results (25 laps): 1. Guy Griebel, 2. Tom Youmans, 3. Don Sargent, 4. Travis Swalwell, 5. Doug Matter, 6. Rick Lamb, 7. Fred Kiser Jr., 8. Jim Petrie, 9. Doug Davenport, 10. Michael Riefler, 11. Errol Sharron, 12. Al DeJoria, 13. Jerry Showers, 14. Jim Pelletier, 15. Tim McKenna, 16. Red Turner, 17. Bill Vint, 18. Mike McKearn.

Legends Cars Main Event Results (20 laps): 1. Mike Morrissey, 2. David Anderson, 3. Robby Guevara, 4. Rick Rogas, 5. Jovon Halen, 6. Dennis Lovelady, 7. Alex Haase, 8. Fletcher Hammond, 9. Jason Best, 10. Michael Fredericks, 11. BJ Bollman, 12. Matt Daly, 13. Kurt Minnick, 14. Al Budd, 15. Ed Hohman, 16. Willey Frede, 17. Justin Cicchini, 18. Taylor Barton, 19. Jimmy Parker Jr., 20. Joey Mogar, 21. Dustin Ash, 22. Mark Colford, 23. Dow Woerner, 24. Aric Wiszt, 25. Steve Legg, 26. Kellen Frey, 27. Scott Sciaretta, 28. John Taylor. Bullring Bombers Main Event Results (25 laps, top five): 1. Darren Rollins, 2. Larry Black, 3. Jim Josselyn, 4. Gary Bodell, 5. Wade Pearson.