Stewart slides home in physical Glen battle.

Sunday, 12th August 2007

Tony Stewart spins and wins at Watkins Glen after similar error by Jeff Gordon although Kevin Harvick's spat with Juan Montoya is the main talking point.

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Gordon had his early lead erased by David Ragan's trip into the turn ten gravel trap on lap seven and Stewart showed his intentions clearly on the subsequent restart by taking the lead on the run to turn one. With the race settling down Stewart was able to open a lead of two seconds with Hamlin harrying Gordon in third and Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson also easing clear of the rest of the field in fourth and fifth.

However when Brian Vickers spun in turn ten and was swiped by rookie Regan Smith on lap 22 pit stop strategy came into play with many of the leaders pitting for the first time and several others choosing to stay out. As a result Gordon dropped back to eighth for the restart with the field now being led by Jamie McMurray, PJ Jones and series debutant Patrick Carpentier.

Emerging road course force McMurray led until he made his first stop for fuel on lap 31 handing the lead to Carpentier. Admirably Carpentier held off Gordon's advances in the #10 Evernham Motorsports Dodge usually piloted by Scott Riggs until he made his stop for fuel on lap 37, by which time Stewart had passed Gordon for second place, which then became the lead.

Sadly for Carpentier the caution flag waved for the third time on lap 39 when Carl Edwards tapped Kyle Busch into a spin in the final corner, spoiling his alternative fuel strategy. Stewart took the restart in front and was able to eke away from Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Hamlin, Johnson, Kurt Busch and Montoya until his lap 44 faux pas that resulted in the #20 Chevrolet dropped to 19th.

Gordon gladly inherited the lead and kept the rest of the field at arms length until the caution flag waved again for Reed Sorenson's stalled car in turn one. Once again most of the leaders pitted while others stayed out and when the field took the green flag again on lap 56 it was Bobby Labonte who found himself in front over Jeremy Mayfield, Dave Blaney, Kasey Kahne and then Gordon. Stewart meanwhile was 17th.