“We could run about the same pace. I just couldn't get (to him). I was a little too loose in the right-handers, and Kasey never made a mistake. The kid did an awesome job and just ran a perfect race.”

Ambrose, who suffered a blown engine in Saturday morning's practice session, got to the front through a combination of pit strategy and talent.

“It was just a great recovery for our team,” said the Australian driver, who duplicated last year's third-place finish at Watkins Glen, where he also started at the back of the field. “We kept the car fairly straight. Up there, when you're in that rare air with those drivers, you don't want to slip up when you're around them — when you've got the chance to run well.

“We would have liked to have won the race, and I feel like I disadvantaged (us) Saturday, blowing up that motor, but it feels like a win.”

Stewart expanded his lead in the Cup standings to 84 points over second-place Gordon. Montoya moved up two spots into 12th, the last position eligible for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Kahne also gained two places to 13th and trails Montoya by three points.

by Reid Spencer/Sporting News