| | Associated Press
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Kevin Harvick started too fast and rallied
from a lap down to win the Sam's Town 250 on Sunday, while Jeff
Green captured the Busch Grand National series championship by just
starting the race.
Green, who finished second in the points race last season, also
made a bit of history by joining his brother David Green (1994) as
the first brother duo to win the Busch series championships.
"We just worked really hard all year to be able to get this
points lead and be able to win the championship," Green said.
"It's paid off for us early here. Like I've said all week and all
year, we're here to win races."
Harvick came in as the series' top rookie, but he hurt himself
by jumping the start ahead of pole-sitter Green. He appeared out of
contention at Memphis Motorsports Park when NASCAR officials sent
him into the pits for a stop-and-go penalty that dropped him a lap
down.
But Harvick drove his ACDelco Chevrolet through the pack at an
average speed of 92.3 mph and finished .47 seconds ahead of Elton
Sawyer for his third victory this season, tying Steve Park's rookie
record set in 1997.
Harvick said he wanted to avoid disappointing his crew after his
early mistake.
"I let them down again," he said. "I knew if I quit they'd be
mad at me."
Green finished third followed by Randy LaJoie, Tim Fedewa, Casey
Atwood, Bobby Hamilton Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Jay Sauter and Jeff
Purvis.
Green essentially was guaranteed of winning the series championship with two
races remaining. He led the first 179 laps and was hampered when
four of the seven cautions came in the final 50 laps. He missed his
chance on the final restart with eight laps left.
"It's pretty good to be disappointed with third in this series
when you're capable of winning," Green said.
He had his chance as Harvick found himself chasing Green most of
the race. But Harvick showed how fast his car really was on the
start as he jumped past Green's Nestle Nesquik Chevrolet, and he
called the penalty a judgment call.
"Honestly, I think (Green's car) laid back. That's just a
rookie lesson I guess you could say. When the flag flies, I can't
help it if ours went, and his didn't," he said.
Harvick used the first caution at lap 74 to get back on the lead
lap and started driving his way back into the race on the 0.75-mile
oval.
With four fresh tires picked up during a pit stop on lap 114,
Harvick worked his way to 14th by lap 126 and was fifth with just
90 laps remaining.
Harvick passed Sawyer on lap 176 for second and then chased down
Green, passing him on the front straightaway at the beginning of
lap 180.
"It was destined for him to win this race today," Green said.
Green let the rookie pass him for his victory lap and then
joined Harvick in burning out the tires on their cars in a dual
celebration. | |
ALSO SEE
Busch series Sam's Town 200 results
Green assures first Busch series title by winning pole
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Newly cowned Busch series champion Jeff Green joins John Kernan in the studio on RPM 2Night.
RealVideo: 28.8
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