#8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, taking the lead on lap 256 and leading the last 11 laps, held off dominant #17-Matt Kenseth [176 laps led] at the end, winning by 0.407 seconds. The win is Dale Jr.’s first in 19 races, Phoenix in November 2004 and the 16th win of his 201 race career. Earnhardt has now won at least one race in each of the last 6 seasons [all six season’s he has been full time] only Jeff Gordon [12 years] and Tony Stewart [7] have longer streaks. On the final pit stop, #8 crew chief, Steve Hmiel went with two right side tires for track position and the crew go Earnhardt out 2nd, behind #22-Scott Wimmer, who didn’t pit. It took a few laps, but Dale Jr. caught Wimmer [who finished 17th]. Kenseth finished 2nd, followed by #48-Jimmie Johnson, #25-Brian Vickers and #20-Tony Stewart. Johnson increases his points lead to 108 and now only the top-10 are under 400 points. #24-Jeff Gordon, who ran poorly all day, got wrecked by #0-Mike Bliss [who bottomed out on the apron and came up] and finished with another DNF, 33rd. Gordon is now 102 points out of 400 points to make the chase. Dale Jr. is now 91 points out. Kenseth led 176 of 267 laps, a new track record. There were 10 cautions for 47 laps and 17 lead changed by 12 drivers.
For race results see Jayski’s Chicago Race Results/Awards page.(7-10-2005)
