Stewart took the reigns again when the race returned to green with Burton, Harvick, Johnson and Bowyer in close company and the fans were able to enjoy an extended period of green flag racing in which the top five remained in close contact with Harvick emerging as Stewart's biggest threat. On lap 375 Johnson's challenge came to an end however when he half spun coming out of turn two after gently tapping the rear of Burton's #31 Chevrolet to bring out the eighth caution period of the day. The leaders took advantage of the break in the action to make what could have been their final stops for fuel and tyres, resuming racing on lap 382 with Stewart still ahead.
The next 100 laps of green flag racing were simply excellent with Stewart and Harvick swapping the lead several times in a high speed game of cat and mouse with Hamlin recovering superbly to take third place from Burton on lap 445. Hamlin still appeared to have the fastest car and with 25 laps remaining the top three were together as the race built towards a dramatic crescendo.
However the race wasn't destined to remain under green as Brian Vickers slapped the wall on lap 489, forcing the officials to bring out the yellow flags again and giving the remaining lead lap runners a major pit strategy headache. Stewart, Hamlin and Dale Earnhardt Jr, running fourth at the time, all chose to stay out while the rest of the lead lap runners gambled on making a late stop for tyres.
The green flag waved again on lap 495 with Stewart leading Hamlin, Earnhardt Jr and a freshly shod Harvick. As Stewart drove off turn four on lap 496 his car momentarily bobbled, allowing Hamlin to pounce and take the lead but when Harvick tried to follow Hamlin through going into turn one, he clipped Stewart's car and sent the #20 Toyota spinning into the outside wall, bringing out another caution period and sending the race into overtime.
![Jeff Burton, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. [Pic Credit image.net]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/407272.jpg)
