Race Report - Chicagoland

FINAL RESULTS:
1. Tony Stewart, Chevrolet
2. Matt Kenseth, Ford
3. Carl Edwards, Ford
4. Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet
5. Casey Mears, Chevrolet
18. John Andretti, #45 National Tire and Battery Dodge
20. Bobby Labonte, #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge

OVERVIEW:

Bobby Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team finished 20th in Sunday’s USG Sheetrock 400 at the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway. Labonte’s finished secured both Petty Enterprises entries in the top 20 and both cars qualified inside the top 12 at Chicagoland. Labonte started 12th, but the team fought a tight handling car all afternoon. They made various changes, but never did find the setup they needed to make a top 10 charge. Labonte finished 20th.

“We weren’t getting the car to do what we wanted,” said Labonte. “We were tight. We did the best we could with the car today.”

Tony Stewart picked up his first win of 2007 on Sunday. The #20 Chevrolet team had been winless throughout the first half of the season, but dominated in Sunday’s race. It is Stewart’s 30th career win.

Stewart had the field covered at the end of Sunday’s race. Early leaders Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick set a fast pace as only 19 cars finished on the lead lap. Johnson cut a tire and was sent hard into the wall late in the race ending his chances of victory. Matt Kenseth came to the front at the end. He, however, did not have enough to challenge Stewart for the win.

John Andretti and the #45 National Tire and Battery Dodge team made the best of their time together on Sunday. Sunday’s event was the last for Andretti filling-in for Kyle Petty who has been in the TNT booth. Andretti raced five races for Petty Enterprises in that time. His best results came this past weekend at Chicagoland. Andretti qualified the car ninth on Friday and was one of the top competitors at the end of the day Sunday. Andretti finished 18th and was one of the few cars remaining on the lead lap at the end. The team was fast all afternoon, and Andretti put the car back on the lead lap in the closing stages of the race. Track position was critical, but Andretti was able to gain positions in the final laps to finish 18th.

“I’m happy that we were able to have a good run,” said Andretti. “The team, Petty Enterprises, all the sponsors and supporters, everyone has been great to work with. It was like going back home with family. I want to thank everyone for the opportunity. I had a lot of fun and we were able to get a descent finish today.”

The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series takes a weekend off before heading to the 2.5-mile Indianapolis (Ind.) Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400. The race will be televised live ESPN and broadcast on the Indianapolis Speedway radio network.