Blaney used the subsequent pitstops to gamble on just two fresh tyres and emerged in the lead. However the combination of three Hendrick cars directly behind him and NASCAR’s new gearing rule on restrictor plate tracks made his cause a hopeless one from the outset. Earnhardt Jr was back in front within half a lap with Gordon and Jimmie Johnson in tow behind him. The Hendrick tactic of staying on the high line kept Earnhardt Jr ahead as the race entered its final ten laps with the hard charging Stewart and resilient Blaney plugging away in the low groove.
On lap 61 Stewart forged ahead but the field was soon behind the pace car again after Busch spun in turn four, causing JJ Yeley to ram Ryan Newman as cars slowed behind the rotating #2 Penske Dodge. This final pause was all that Earnhardt Jr needed to gather his moment for the lap 67 restart and as the field raced down the back straight the #88 Chevrolet pulled alongside the #20 Toyota and into the lead heading into turn three.
The final two laps were a blue of noise and colour as the remaining runners diced three and four wide coming within inches of disaster at every turn. Stewart continued to use the low line and on the final run through turn one it looked as if he may have finally got the momentum he needed. However Earnhardt Jr craftily switched to the low line going into turn three, closing the door on Stewart but opening it for Jimmie Johnson.
Johnson drove his #48 Hendrick Chevrolet as high as possible into turn three and was even able to get half way alongside his teammate but as the leaders came off turn four Earnhardt Jr was back ahead with Stewart locked onto his rear bumper. Johnson faded slightly to third as the chequered flag fell with an ecstatic Earnhardt Jr delighted to perform a burnout for his fans and an equally delighted Rick Hendrick more than happy to be the first to greet his new driver as he made his way to victory lane.
![Dale Earnhardt Jr, Hendrick Motorsport Chevrolet. [Pic Credit image.net]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/405535.jpg)
