For the first time in NASCAR’s modern-era (since 1972), three drivers share the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings: Sam Hornish, Jr., Dario Franchitti and Regan Smith. Each driver has 20 points entering the March 2 UAW-Dodge 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. By leading the Auto Club 500 once for one lap, Franchitti became the first Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the Sprint Cup Series this season. He was one of 15 different drivers to lead the race. Smith was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the February 24 Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway, scoring a 31st-place finish. Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne share the best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in 10 previous Cup Series races at Las Vegas. Busch placed second in 2005, 1.661 seconds behind race winner Jimmie Johnson while Kahne finished second in 2004, 3.426 seconds behind winner Matt Kenseth. Ryan Newman was the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five at Las Vegas, claiming a fourth-place finish in 2002. Only three Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes at Las Vegas: Busch, Kahne and Newman. In 2000, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 finish at Las Vegas. He was also the first Raybestos Rookie driver to lead a lap (four times for 42 laps). The most laps led by a Raybestos Rookie at Las Vegas is 49 by Newman in 2002.(Camp and Assoc/Rabestos PR), see full rookie notes, history and more on my Rookies Page.(2-28-2008)
