With Stewart gone and Earnhardt Jr having slipped back a few places Hamlin took up the running with Menard and Montoya his two closest challengers but on lap 160 Montoya spun Menard coming off turn four to bring out the fourth caution flag. Menard's car was undamaged but he too would join Stewart at the tail end of the lead draft. Another quick caution for debris extended Hamlin's run at the front but on lap 168
Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman shot to the front for the first time thanks to a massive bump draft from last year's Talladega double winner Jeff Gordon.
But no sooner had Gordon moved himself into prime position the yellows were out again, this time for a crash that finally ended Stewart's chances of victory as well as those of Earnhardt Jr. Going into turn one three abreast with Bobby Labonte Stewart made slight contact with Earnhardt Jr and his firmer teammate at Gibbs. All three cars bobbled before Labonte clipped Martin Truex Jr and Kurt Busch and slid up the track into Stewart and Jamie McMurray. Earnhardt Jr escaped with minor damage but he would have to pit for repairs while the others were delayed even further.
In the midst of all this Kyle Busch unobtrusively found himself in the lead thanks to a push from Montoya with Newman, Gordon, Stremme and Michael Waltrip close behind.
Another brief caution for debris meant that there would be a five-lap sprint to the finish with Waltrip actually leading when the green flag came out. But coming through turn four on lap 183 Jimmie Johnson ducked underneath the #55 NAPA entry with Busch following and by the time the field started lap 184 Busch was ahead. Gordon now pushed his way into second place as the top eight to ten cars set themselves up for a grandstand finish.
![Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. [Pic Credit image.net]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/411976.jpg)
