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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Just two laps after the green flag waved Labonte pitted, hoping that the race would stay green for the remaining 32 laps as he was now into his final fuel window. Mayfield led very briefly before being swamped by Gordon with last weeks winner Busch and his main rival for the 12th and final place in the Chase for the Championship, Earnhardt Jr, now fighting for second spot.

Earnhardt Jr's day would come to an abrupt end on lap 63 however when the engine in the #8 DEI Chevrolet let go, bringing out the fifth caution flag of the day. As a precaution Busch's #2 Penske team chose to pit for an extra splash of fuel, effectively eliminating him from the fight for victory but ensuring that there would be no late dramas on a day where the 2004 series champion could now go a long way towards consolidating his place in the Chase.

The order at the front now settled down with the various fuel strategies having now played themselves out and Gordon found himself leading from a determined Edwards, an equally determined Hamlin, a very fired up Stewart, last year's winner Harvick and the always threatening Montoya.

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That order soon changed when the green flag waved on lap 72 as Martin Truex Jr, running seventh, punted Montoya as they headed towards turn one. Montoya then slammed into the side of Harvick's car as the field entered turn one causing both to spin and triggering mayhem behind. McMurray swiped Harvick's car while Harvick's Richard Childress Racing teammate Jeff Burton centre punched Montoya's prone vehicle.

Not realising that Montoya had been pushed into the corner by Truex, Harvick had an angry confrontation with the Colombian in turn one that resulted in a bit of pushing and shoving and grabbing of crash helmets by both drivers before they were separated by officials. Even after being shown the TV replays Harvick still voiced his displeasure at Montoya, who was equally dismissive of the current Daytona 500 champion in return.