The 2009 visit to Darlington Raceway marked the return of the famed Southern 500 name, and did not disappoint. After a caution filled race, a veteran driver, Mark Martin won the race, his second of the year. Martin lead the closing laps and took a commanding lead over 2nd place Jimmie Johnson. In victory lane, a very happy Martin said, “It feels great! I want to thank the fans … (crew chief) Alan Gustafson and this race team and the boss. Hey, Rick! Thank you, man”.

Johnson, who started 42nd after a qualifying crash, worked his way through the field. To do so, he had to over come an ill-timed pit stop that took him off the lead lap early, and had to fight his way through the pack, using pit strategy, talent, and all the rubber on his Goodyear Tires. With only a few laps remaining, Johnson called over the radio to crew chief Chadd Knaus, “I’ve got nothin’ for him.” Knaus responded with a simple call to throttle back his car to preserve the great finish.

The Hendrick Motorsports theme continued through the top part of the field. Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman in the Hendrick affiliated Stewart-Hass Racing machines finished third and fourth respectively. Jeff Gordon finished fifth at a track with the tag line of being “The Track Too Tough To Tame.” Gordon has been suffering all season with chronic back pain, and earlier in the week announced that he would be receiving treatment before the All-Star Race next weekend. Martin Truex Jr., in yet another Chevy, finished in sixth after a strong showing and leading a ton of laps. Talladega winner and Darlington rookie Brad Keselowski brought his Hendrick Motorsports Chevy into a seventh place finish, showing great potential in the young rookie.

The rest of the top ten featured the highest finishing Ford of the race with Greg Biffle finishing in eighth. Joey Lagano, who was lucky enough to get a ride along with NASCAR great Cale Yarborough, was the second highest finishing rookie, coming home in the ninth spot. Rounding out the top ten, in tenth, was Southern 500 pole sitter Matt Kenseth.

In total there was a track record 17 cautions that saw almost every car in the field suffer some sort of damage. Notably, Clint Bowyer ended an 83 race streak of finishing the end of the race, which was one race away from tying the all time record of 84 consecutive races without a Did Not Finish set by Harold Beam. Other drivers having a day day included David Ragan, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Kyle Busch.

With the win, Mark Mark jumps into the top twelve of the points standings. New Points Standings >>