Matt Kenseth won the 2006 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, scoring his 14th Nextel Cup victory in his 244th career start. This was his fourth victory in 2006 joining Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne who also have four victories in 2006. Kenseth won at California, Dover and Michigan one race ago.
Kenseth is the first driver to post back-to-back victories in 2006.
Kenseth became the first driver to post back-to-back Bristol night race victories since Dale Earnhardt in 1987-1988.
Kenseth became the third driver to score weekend sweeps at Bristol joining Dale Earnhardt Jr. (August 2004) and Kevin Harvick (April 2005).
Kenseth moved into 44th on NASCARs all-time winners list tied with LeeRoy Yarbrough and Dick Hutcherson.
Kenseth scored his second victory in 14 races at Bristol and third victory in 40 races on a short track.
Kenseth won the race from the fourth-place starting position.
Kenseth scored his 13th top-five finish in 24 races this season, the most of all drivers.
Kenseth remained second in the point standings, now just seven points behind first-place Jimmie Johnson.
Jeff Burton led the most laps for the second time in 2006. Burton also led the most at Indianapolis.
Race winner Kenseth led four times for 117 laps including the final 51 laps in the 2006 Sharpie 500 at Bristol
This was team owner Jack Roushs 94th Nextel Cup victory. Roush has scored eight Nextel Cup victories at Bristol.
Jack Roush Racing has won at least one race each season 1997-2006, 10 consecutive years.
Notebook Items
Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth have each clinched a spot in the 2006 Chase.
Kyle Busch (second) scored his 13th top-10 finish in 2006. It was his second top-10 finish in four races at Bristol. Busch climbed from seventh to fourth in the point standings, 138 points ahead of 11th place Kasey Kahne.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (third) scored his 11th top-10 finish in 2006. It marked his seventh top-10 finish in 14 races at Bristol. Earnhardt Jr. climbed from 10th to ninth in the point standings, 92 points ahead of 11th place Kasey Kahne.
Scott Riggs (fourth) scored his sixth top-10 finish in 2006. It was his first top-five finish in six races at Bristol and first top-five finish since he finished second at Michigan in August 2005.
Jeff Gordon (fifth) scored his 11th top-10 finish in 2006. It was his 17th top-10 finish in 28 races at Bristol Motor Speedway. Gordon climbed from sixth to fifth in the point standings, 132 points ahead of 11th place Kasey Kahne.
Denny Hamlin (sixth) scored his 12th top-10 finish in 2006, the most among the rookie contenders. He extended a streak of six straight top-10 finishes that began at New Hampshire in July.
Point leader Jimmie Johnson (10th today) has been ranked among the top 10 for 93 consecutive races.
Jeff Burton (ninth) posted his 17th top-15 finish in the last 18 races dating to Texas in April. Burton climbed from ninth to seventh in the point standings and is just 105 points ahead of 11th-place Kasey Kahne.
Kevin Harvick (11th) extended a 36-race streak of running at the finish that began at California last September, the longest current streak. Harvick has posted eight straight top-15 finishes.
Tony Stewart (22nd) ended a streak of four straight top-10 finishes. He dropped from fifth to eighth in the point standings now just 97 points ahead of 11th place Kasey Kahne.
Brian Vickers (33rd) ended a streak of 10 straight top-20 finishes that began at Pocono in June.
At least one of the Raybestos Rookie-of-the Year contenders has scored a top-15 finish in all 24 races this season.(NASCAR Statistical Services)(8-26-2006)
