#00-Michael McDowell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 22 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway. McDowell scored a career-best 21st-place finish in his 11th Sprint Cup Series start. He claimed top rookie honors for the second time in the last three races and for the third time this season. For his efforts in the race, McDowell won a unique trophy from Raybestos Brand Brakes, a piece that featured a mounted replica wine bottle and barrel. #77-Sam Hornish Jr. holds an eight-point lead (154-146) over #01-Regan Smith in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year Standings entering the June 29 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Only two Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes in 15 previous July races at New Hampshire: Ryan Newman (fifth in 2002) and Kyle Busch (fourth in 2005). The best start by a Raybestos Rookie at New Hampshire is third by Jeff Gordon in 1993. Two or more Raybestos Rookies have finished in the top-10 just once 15 summer Sprint Cup races at New Hampshire. In 1993, Gordon finished seventh while Bobby Labonte placed 10th.(Camp & Assoc/Raybestos), see rookie history, standings and more on my 2008 Rookies page.(6-26-2008)
