Sunday, July 27, 2008
ORDER OF THE DAY:
| 7 a.m. | Public gates open |
| 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Allstate Fan Zone, Hall of Fame Museum Lot and Lot 2 on Georgetown Road outside Gate 6 |
| 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Free CardioChek Cholesterol and Glucose Screenings presented by Vision Racing, Hall of Fame Museum Lot |
| 10-11:30 a.m. |
Chevy Driver Q&A Sessions, Chevy Stage, Hall of Fame Museum Lot:
10 a.m. - Jeff Burton 10:20 a.m. - Kevin Harvick 11 a.m. - Jimmie Johnson |
| 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Free HANK's Hog Roast with The Charlie Daniels Band, Craig Morgan and Casey Jamerson, Coke Zero Stage (behind Hall of Fame Museum) |
| 1:30 p.m. | NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver Introductions/Ceremonial Lap |
| 1:58 p.m. | "America the Beautiful" performed by Casey Jamerson, country music artist from Indiana |
| 2:01:15 p.m. | Invocation given by Rev. Howard Brammer |
| 2:01:45 p.m. | National anthem performed by "America's Beloved Tenor," Daniel Rodriguez |
| 2:03:24 p.m. | Flyover by the F-15E Fighting Eagles from the 334th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, N.C. |
| 2:08 p.m. | Command to Start Engines, Mari Hulman George, Chairman of the Board, Indianapolis Motor Speedway |
| 2:20 p.m. | John Middlebrook, retired Vice President Global Sales, Service and Marketing for General Motors, leads the field in the Corvette Z06 Pace Car |
| 2:20 p.m. | Actor John C. McGinley of "Scrubs" waves green flag for the start of 15th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard,160 laps, 400 miles |
| 6 p.m. | Public gates close |
***
Kyle Busch won the Kroger 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race Saturday night at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. Busch led 197 of 200 laps for his sixth Nationwide victory of the season.
Sprint Cup Series points leader Busch has 15 victories across NASCAR's top three series - Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck - this season.
Pole sitter Colin Braun finished second, with Mike Bliss third. David Ragan finished ninth, the only other starter in today's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard besides Busch to finish in the top 10.
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Dakoda Armstrong won the Anderson Midget 400 USAC Midget Car special event Saturday at Anderson Speedway in Anderson, Ind. Armstrong led the last 75 laps of the 400-lap feature.
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Students from Mater Dei High School in Evansville, Ind., are the guests of Shell Oil Company this weekend at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard as a prize for winning the 2008 Shell Eco-marathon.
The Shell Eco-marathon is an educational project for students in which they work together to explore potential solutions to both current and future transport and energy challenges. The goal is to build a vehicle, powered by either conventional or alternative fuels, that consumes as little fuel as possible over a set distance.
Mater Dei's car set a record for fuel efficiency this year with a rating of 2,843 miles per gallon with its car, which is on display today at IMS. The team earned a $10,000 prize.
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The #42 car of 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya and the #29 car of 2003 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard winner Kevin Harvick were the first cars on the grid this morning.
***
Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Joie Chitwood, NASCAR Vice President of Corporate Communications Jim Hunter, NASCAR Vice President, Competition Robin Pemberton and Goodyear Director of Race Tire Sales Greg Stucker met with the media this morning in the Economaki Press Conference Room to discuss tire usage for today's race.
JIM HUNTER: "Good morning, everyone. All of you probably know why we're here. The track improved between practices yesterday, which is a good sign. Once the field takes the track today, we think the track will get back to normal conditions. We'll have a competition caution at Lap 10 and will evaluate and announce additional cautions if needed. As a contingency, we have Pocono tires on hand. Goodyear is mounting backup tires in an impound area. At 12 noon, the teams will have access to the tires in an impound area. That's only to prep them, and everybody gets the same opportunity to prep them at the same time. The backup tires will remain in the impound area in the unlikely event that we need them, then all teams will be able to switch over at the same time."
ROBIN PEMBERTON: "With the track and the tires, this is not anything that we don't go through leading up to the race and for the most part early, early in the event. We'll have a competition yellow at 10 (laps). We will evaluate how the tire wear comes. We'll make a call on if it's 10 more laps or 15 or however many of green flag laps. We'll make a call from there and see what we have to do. It looks like it will be multiple competition cautions, at least two right now." (About switching to Pocono tires if needed): "We're going to monitor that. The teams will have the opportunity for about 10 sets when it all unfolds. We know that a number of teams yesterday didn't run all of their tires. So that inventory has gone into their race sets. So there is many teams out there right now with 12 sets of tires. We're going to monitor the wear and the laps that we can run, and early on we'll be able to make a call on how far we will be able to go with Indy tires if the wear statistics do not improve enough. It's not unlike everything we deal with at this particular place getting the track rubbered in. Like I said, we started with about five or six laps in the first practice and got to about 10 in the second practice. We anticipate that it will fix itself, and we'll make that call early on. We'll have a good plan." (About what will happen if switch is made to Pocono tires): "If it gets to that point, it will be a caution, and the teams will already have their tires up in their pit area. It will be similar to if we had rain tires or dry tires. We will make the call. All of the Indy tires will come out of the pit area, and we will issue the Pocono tires. Everyone will be on the same tire at the same time." (Why is this happening after Goodyear tested here?) "We have been through this before, but one of the things that has changed is we've got a new car. And as everybody understands, the car loads right-side tires different than what we've run over the last 15 or 20 years. We had a chance to tire-test here. And when you come to tire test and you only have two or three or four cars, it's difficult to rubber in the racetrack. You've seen it with 43 cars out there yesterday. It is still difficult to rubber in, but it does happen. This being the first event on this car and I think the way the tires have extra load on them, we have had tire improvements. The cars do handle good. I think they're doing a great job with it. Next year under different circumstances and test policies, we will probably see some improvement early on."
GREG STUCKER: "Let me address the Pocono tire. The reason we chose to bring the Pocono tire here is that it's the closest thing we have to our Indy tire. We used to actually run the same tire between here and Pocono, but the surfaces are enough different now that we run a slightly different tire. We felt like it was the easiest transition for the teams if that would be required. We have a backup plan for every racetrack in case anything happens like this. We've just chosen to take this to the next step. Pocono was the natural step because it's closest to the Indy tire. You always have a backup in hand. The last time we had to execute something like that was back in 1994. It's not common, but it's not unprecedented. That was at Dover where that was done. We actually brought in a completely different tire in for race day. You have to be ready any contingency. We're obviously getting a lot of races on the Car of Tomorrow this year. It has its challenges. At the same time, we're always looking at different ways to address those. Yes, we have considered and discussed wider, taller, different configurations. That's something we'll continue to look at, and obviously that's got to go hand in hand with the teams at NASCAR. Right now, everybody has their nine race sets as they had. We'll simply deal with that as needed. Again, based on history, that should be more than enough to get everybody to the event providing that the track rubbers in as it has. That's not changed. The rest of the inventory we have will be issued as needed on a car-by-car basis. " (Will this deplete the Pocono supply?): "It won't affect our quantities for Pocono. We actually run the same tire at Pocono and Bristol. We just pull things forward, and we backfill. We'll be fine from that perspective." (What is the difference between the Indy and the Pocono tire?): "The left-side construction is actually identical between the two racetracks. Both of the compounds are slightly softer. The right side construction is slightly different from it, but very similar. The Pocono tire (is softer). They're not drastically differently, so we thought this was the easiest transition." (Is there not enough action on the track, or is the tire so hard that the tire is dusting and not marbling?): "It's one of the more abrasive surfaces we run on. There is no question about that. The nature of the surface is very heavy on wear early on. Then when it does take rubber, it takes a lot of rubber. You have to prepare for the end result, which is a fully rubbered-in racetrack. You simply have to compound and address that. You can't go so hard that you don't have any wear whatsoever. You can't go soft enough and wear out the tires early on. It's just getting through that transition that is the challenging part." (How many Pocono tires were brought here?) "We brought about 800 of them." (Do teams have enough wheels to mount all 10 sets of Pocono tires?) "Yeah, the teams are prepared. They'll have their tires mounted in the next hour. At noon, they'll start to prep their tires and get them ready for the race. It's just adding four or five sets to their inventory."
JOIE CHITWOOD: (Have you considered having the Nationwide Series here to have more track time?): "Good question. We have actually had some dialogue with NASCAR about what the on-track schedule looks like. We've discussed that before, although I don't think there's anything hard or fast about the plan going forward. We've had dialogue about what can be different with our Centennial approaching. We've actually discussed some different ideas about what the weekend looks like. At this point, there really is no plan to add an additional support series to the event." (About what he learned from the tire problems at the 2005 United States Grand Prix Formula One race): "I think the thing you're seeing now is what is different. We have Goodyear, NASCAR and me sitting up there talking about how we're all in it together. The goal is to make sure the fans enjoy the event. That's what it is about when they come to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We had a challenge last year where I think the competition yellow was at Lap 15. This is something we've dealt with before, but the key is that we're all in it together. We're going to make sure the fans enjoy their experience. I would tell you that's probably the goal and the most different from 2005."
***
Country music legend Charlie Daniels visited with the media on the fourth floor of the Media Center this morning. The Charlie Daniels Band was the headline act of the HANK's Hog Roast concert today on the Coke Zero Stage at IMS.
CHARLIE DANIELS: "Well, it's exciting and for somebody from North Carolina, like me, who remembers when this used to be called stock car racing and came from little dirt tracks and real small tracks in our area. And to see it at the biggest racetrack in the world is pretty amazing, and it's a lot of excitement around here and I can kind of feel it building as the day goes along." (About being a racing fan): "I haven't really been keeping up with what's going on. I don't know whose car is running good or anything. I've been working a lot. This is our busy time of year, and I've been on the road a lot and working a lot, so I don't really know what's happening."
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"Scrubs" star John C. McGinley, the grand marshal of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, met with the media this morning in the Economaki Press Conference Room.
JOHN C. McGINLEY: "I've never been a grand marshal for anything. The closest is throwing the pitch out. They invited me out to a Padres' game, and I got to throw a pitch out down there. So that's kind of the only thing remotely close; but, 60 feet 6 inches throwing a ball is a little different than having 43 cars come at you at 190 mph. The advice I've been given is hold on, not only to a railing but to the flag." (Both hands on the flag?): "Well, my plan is, you guys have to guide me, is to hold on to the rail and wave the flag. Now, if you're saying go a two-hand flag, then at the risk of not falling in front of these guys, which would give you guys something to write about, I think I'm going to go hang on to a rail and wave that baby." (Have you been to the flagstand?): "No. I saw it and it looks kind of like the crow's nest on a modified sail boat. So I'll be ready." (Did they say if you drop it you have to pick it up?): "No, they told me if I drop it, a yellow one will go down further down the track, and we will restart the race. Don't be that guy." (Are they going to give you a second chance to throw the flag?): "No, I think they throw you off the tower if you drop it. That's the new McGinley rules: If you drop the flag, we kick you off the tower." (Are you an avid race fan?): "I'm a big sports fan. I had an opportunity to do the voice for Miller Lite Racing, when Rusty (Wallace) was racing, so I was following the sport a great deal when Rusty Wallace was racing. Subsequently have really come back to it, now that NASCAR is delivering is via high-def. I think it changes the whole product the way it is delivered back home, just like it did for ice hockey. I think it's a whole different viewing experience at home." (What other sports do you follow?): "My grandfather played for the first New York Giants football team in 1925. I kind of bleed New York blue, kind of a baseball fanatic, and obviously hockey, big hockey. A neighbor of mine is Chris Chelios, and a good pal; so, I've been wearing his game sweater on 'Scrubs' for about seven years." (What are your thoughts on being involved with Rusty, and what are your opinions on race drivers?): "Well, a good pal of mine and I just had the opportunity to go around the track in a pace car at about 110 mph. I was informed that these drivers go 190 mph down the stretch and 180 into some of the curves, and to process that leap from 110 to 180 seems pretty mind-boggling to me. Without jinxing anything, it just seems hard to believe that these cars are going to stick to the asphalt. It seems astonishing to me that they're going to be going around this track at 190 mph." (Do you ever watch the Indy 500?): "I have. Back when Sullivan and Foyt and those guys were running. Growing up in Jersey, I remember when it was on ABC. It was a big, big event. I had an opportunity in Lisbon to get in an open-wheel car and go about 180 mph, and it blew my mind. The open-wheel guys go about 230 mph, I'm told." (Did you ever have the opportunity to go to California Speedway in Fontana?): "I haven't been out there yet. A good friend of mine, Greg Penske, a guy who I grew up with at a boys' summer camp every year in New Hampshire, his father was instrumental in having that place come about. Greg's invited me out a bunch of times, but with a 6-month old and a 10-year-old boy, I just haven't been able to peel." (Who do you think will win today's race?): "That's tough. I love me some Kasey Kahne."
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IndyCar Series driver Vitor Meira visited the track today. Meira finished 19th in the Delphi National Guard car fielded by Panther Racing on Saturday in the Rexall Edmonton Indy in Edmonton, Alberta.
VITOR MEIRA: (What brings you to the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard?): "Anything that goes on here is pretty cool. Not only with the National Guard and Delphi that are (my) sponsors here, the bottom line is that I am a race fan. I will be watching the race at Panther's suite with (team owner) John Barnes and everybody just having a good time." (Any picks today?) "I would pick Dale. He is sponsored by National Guard, or anybody from Hendrick that is sponsored by Delphi. Those five guys are going to have a pretty good chance."
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2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden and MotoGP rider Colin Edwards are attending the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard today. They will compete with the rest of the MotoGP field in the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sept. 12-14 at IMS.
Edwards, from Houston, is sixth in MotoGP standings this season for Tech 3 Yamaha. He is the leading American in the standings.
Hayden, from Owensboro, Ky., is eighth in points for Repsol Honda Team. Americans John Hopkins and Ben Spies also will be on the MotoGP grid in September at IMS.
COLIN EDWARDS: (His first impressions of IMS?): "First time here. It's pretty spectacular, I think. I'm not going to say I expected it because it's a zoo, man. Honestly, today we drove in, and I was like, 'Geez, there are just so many people here.' But I'm ready. I'm ready to see some racing." (Does it remind you of watching races here?): "It's so weird, you know? My memories of Indy are not what sprint-car guys or dirt-track car guys that grow up thinking about. My memories are sitting at home, watching it on TV, but really having no connection, let's say, 'I want to be there; I want to be doing that," because I was on two wheels, and it was always four wheels. But now, learning a little bit of the history, how long it's been since motorcycles have been here, it's special to come back, for sure." (Does this remind you of any MotoGP circuit?): "No, no. As far as you look either way, you just see some grandstands. And they're full. That's the crazy thing. It's different. It's really different. I'd like to see this crowd come for the Grand Prix. It would be really nice." (Does this build your anticipation for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP?): "Yeah, now that we're here and sitting on pit road, I'm definitely anticipating a lot more than I was a couple of days ago."
NICKY HAYDEN: "I've never been to a NASCAR race. My brothers and a few buddies are diehard fans, so I wanted to bring them out here. I had the weekend off, so I didn't have an excuse not to do it." (Do you have a favorite NASCAR driver?): "I am from Owensboro, Kentucky, so it is hard not to be Waltrip fans. It is their hometown, so I like them. I like Dale Earnhardt Jr., too. He's a pretty cool guy. I saw his show on ESPN. That dude's got it going on, for sure." (About the upcoming Red Bull Indianapolis GP at Indianapolis): "The excitement is coming along pretty good. I think all of MotoGP is excited to race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and race at such a famous place. The whole paddock - not just me - is excited about coming out east to the Brickyard. They have all been to the California race, but this is a whole new experience for them. For me, just to be able to race three hours from my hometown is amazing. I never thought I would have the opportunity to race in the MotoGP so close to home. When I first went to GP, I didn't even have a race in America." (What should NASCAR fans expect from the upcoming MotoGP race?): "They should give it a chance. If they are race fans, then they will like what they see. I don't want to put a guarantee on it, but it is a pretty good chance they'll like what they see and become hooked."
***
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is attending today's race.
MITCH DANIELS: (How does it feel to be here?): "It's the only place in North America to be today, and we have a perfect day for it. I got to meet Charlie Daniels. The day has been absolutely perfect." (Who is your pick to win?): "Well, you like to put people on the spot, right? I root for all the Hoosiers; Tony Stewart is a friend of mine and wouldn't bother me at all to see him go 3-for-4."
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Ryan Buscaglio and Mark Kennerly, crew members for #1 Martin Truex Jr., warmed up for their pit road duties for today's race by playing catch with a football on pit lane during driver introductions today.
RYAN BUSCAGLIO: "This is just something we do."
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Several members of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway staff are doing "double duty" this weekend, working both the Rexall Edmonton Indy on Saturday at Edmonton, Alberta, and then flying all night to work the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
Adrian Payne, IMS manager of online services; Shawn Payne and Steve Snoddy of the IMS Photography Department, and IMS Radio Network Director Wally Leavitt and staffer Chris Pollock all worked the IndyCar Series event in Canada and are back to work in Indy for today's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
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Syndicated sports radio talk-show host Jim Rome is attending the race today.
JIM ROME: (What brings you to Indy?): "I had a contest with one of my listeners from my radio show where listeners submitted entries as to why Chevy Silverados were the best truck on the road. I got a winner, so I decided to come here myself and hang out with him this weekend." (Have you ever been to Indianapolis?): "I've been to Indianapolis, but not the Brickyard." (What do you think of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?): "Incredible, incredible. I had high hopes, I had high expectations, but it exceeded the hype. This place is amazing. I can't wait to get back to California and talk it up on Monday."
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Indiana University running back Bryan Payton, a junior, is covering the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the Indiana Daily Student newspaper.
BRYAN PAYTON: "This is my first NASCAR race at the Speedway, but I was here as a fan for the Indy 500 earlier this year. My major is general studies, but I'm concentrating on journalism. I don't just write sports at the paper. I cover the arts, city/state and anything like that. This has been a great experience for me. My first story was published May 15, so I'm still new to it. It took me three years to figure out what I want to do, but journalism is definitely the road I want to go down. As far as football goes, we report to camp next Sunday and I can't wait to get going, put the helmets and pads on, and start hitting somebody."
***
RACE SPECIFICS:
•Eight-time Allstate 400 at the Brickyard starter Brett Bodine drives the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Pace Car during the race. There will be three pace laps before the race starts.
•There will be a competition caution period at Lap 10. A second competition caution will take place based on NASCAR officials' evaluation of tire wear. Teams are not allowed to enter the pits for fuel before the first competition caution on Lap 10.
•Pit-road speed limit is 55 mph.
•The Pace Car speed will be 70 mph during caution periods.
•The race distance is 160 laps/400 miles on the 2.5-mile oval.
•The flagmen for today's race are Rick Monroe and Rodney Wise.
***
RACE RUNNING:
·At 2:05 p.m., the ambient temperature was 86 degrees with a relative humidity of 26 percent and west winds at 1 mph. Skies were sunny.
Two cars will move to the rear of the field on the pace laps: #47 Ambrose (engine change) and #01 Smith (backup car). Ambrose qualified for the 24th starting spot, while Smith was to start 42nd.
2:10 p.m. - Command to start engines by Mari Hulman George, Indianapolis Motor Speedway chairman of the board.
2:14 p.m. - All 43 starters pull away on first pace lap.
Lap 1: GREEN. Grand marshal John C. McGinley waves green flag to start 15th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. #48 Johnson leads into Turn 1. #48 Johnson leads #8 Martin by .222 of a second.
Lap 2: #48 Johnson leads #8 Martin by .539 of a second. #24 J. Gordon up to third after starting fifth.
Lap 3: #24 J. Gordon passes #8 Martin for second exiting Turn 4. #48 Johnson leads #24 J. Gordon by 1.074 seconds.
Lap 4: YELLOW. #55 Waltrip does quarter-spin to left in Turn 2 while running inside of #77 Hornish. Waltrip brushed Hornish, then was clipped by #15 Menard. Waltrip does three-quarter spin to right, hits SAFER Barrier in Turn 2. Heavy damage to left front and right rear of Waltrip. Moderate right-front damage to Menard. Waltrip, Menard to pits. #45 T. Labonte also to pits.
Lap 7: #88 Earnhardt, #26 McMurray, #19 Sadler, #47 Ambrose, #11 Hamlin, #70 Leffler, #10 Carpentier, #96 Yeley, #00 McDowell, #28 Kvapil, #01 Smith to pits, all for tires only.
Lap 10: GREEN. Restart order: #48 Johnson, #24 J. Gordon, #8 Martin, #12 Newman, #9 Kahne. #48 Johnson leads #24 J. Gordon by .304 of a second after one restart lap.
Lap 11: #99 Edwards passes #9 Kahne for fifth on back straightaway. #48 Johnson leads #24 J. Gordon by .401 of a second.
Lap 13: #44 Reutimann brushed SAFER Barrier exiting Turn 1, continues.
Lap 14: YELLOW. #29 Harvick, #2 Ku. Busch involved in incident in Turn 1. Busch spun exiting Turn 1 and collided with Harvick. Both cars continue to pits with damage. #29 Harvick to pits, #2 Ku. Busch to garage.
Lap 15: COMPETITION YELLOW. No fueling allowed on pit stop. Majority of field to pits. #48 Johnson wins race off pit road.
Pit report: Four tires: #07 Bowyer, 13 seconds; #26 McMurray, #11 Hamlin, 10 seconds; #20 Stewart, 14 seconds, #99 Edwards, seven seconds; #48 Johnson, six seconds; #9 Kahne, seven seconds. Two tires: #24 J. Gordon, 10 seconds; #42 Montoya, 10 seconds; #12 Newman, eight seconds; #38 Gilliland, 13 seconds; #83 Vickers, 11 seconds; #6 Ragan, nine seconds; #17 Kenseth, nine seconds. Various teams reporting cords showing on right-rear tires during stops.
KURT BUSCH: "I just got caught up in my mess. The car wasn't handling good. I was trying to make it so we could pit at the next caution, and it just snapped loose on me. It's real tight, and it just snapped loose. I guess I got caught behind in the steering." (Was the track slippery compared to yesterday?): "The track was the same as yesterday."
Lap 18: GREEN. #88 Earnhardt leads on restart.
Lap 22: #88 Earnhardt leads #24 J. Gordon by 1.099 seconds.
Lap 24: #24 J. Gordon takes lead.
•#24 Jeff Gordon took the lead on Lap 24, extending his record to 10 races led in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. The last time he led the race was in 2004, when he won the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the fourth time.
Lap 26: #88 Earnhardt to pits with flat right front tire, change four tires, 14.44 seconds. #24 J. Gordon takes lead. #70 Leffler to pits, two tires, eight seconds.
Lap 28: #8 Martin, #42 Montoya, #12 Newman to pits. #42 Montoya, #12 Newman slow on backstretch before pit stop. Cut tire for #12 Newman. Team changes all four tires, makes track bar adjustment. #8 Martin, two tires, seven seconds.
Lap 30: COMPETITION YELLOW.
Pit report: Four tires and fuel: #24 J. Gordon, 14 seconds; #11 Hamlin, 14 seconds; #31 Burton, 12 seconds; #26 McMurray, 16 seconds; #20 Stewart, 14 seconds; #88 Earnhardt, 12.7 seconds; #18 Ky. Busch, 25 seconds; #48 Johnson, 10 seconds; #99 Edwards, 10 seconds; #9 Kahne, 9 seconds; #19 Sadler, 20 seconds; #17 Kenseth, 15 seconds; #38 Gilliland, 16 seconds. Two tires and fuel: #83 Vickers, 16 seconds; #6 Ragan Fuel and body repair: #42 Montoya, 67 seconds.
•The first 30 laps of the race were all led by three different cars owned by Rick Hendrick (#48 Johnson, # 88 Earnhardt and #24 J. Gordon).
Lap 31: #29 Harvick returns to track after 15 minutes of repairs in garage area. #66 Riggs is leader. #42 Montoya to pits for more body repair with tape, 33 seconds; #44 Reutimann to pits for extended service, 65 seconds.
•#66 Scott Riggs is the 59th driver to lead the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the first time.
Lap 32: #66 Riggs to pits, adjustment to front end, 67 seconds.
Lap 35: GREEN. #18 Kyle Busch leads on restart. Restart order: #18 Ky. Busch, #24 Gordon, #48 Johnson, #16 Biffle, #99 Edwards.
•#18 Kyle Busch took the lead on Lap 32. This is the third consecutive Allstate 400 at the Brickyard that he has led in four career starts. It also was the first time a Toyota has led the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
Lap 36: #24 J. Gordon drives underneath #18 Ku. Busch for lead in Turn 4.
Lap 37: #48 Johnson passes #24 J. Gordon for lead on back straightaway.
Lap 43: #48 Johnson leads #18 Ky. Busch by .646 of a second. #99 Edwards is third, .849 of a second behind leader.
Lap 45: #8 Martin to pits, right-side tires and fuel, trackbar adjustment, eight seconds.
Lap 46: #15 Menard returns to race after
MICHAEL WALTRIP: "I got on the inside of another guy and got loose, and then somebody ran me over. It wasn't a track issue, just racing." (Opinion on the tires): "Time will tell. They seem to be doing all right so far."
Lap 46: #44 Reutimann suffers right-rear tire failure, able to return to pits.
Lap 48: YELLOW. #17 Kenseth spins on back straightaway. Heavy damage to right rear of car due to apparent right rear tire failure. Team works in pits but pushes car to garage for further service.
Lap 48: Majority of field to pits. #18 Ky. Busch wins race out of pits, followed by #84 Allmendinger. #9 Kahne in pits for extensive stop due to possible broken header.
Pit report: Four tires and fuel: #07 Bowyer, 16 seconds; #24 J. Gordon, 15 seconds; #11 Hamlin, 11 seconds; #26 McMurray, 14 seconds; #31 Burton, 12 seconds; #7 R. Gordon, 23 seconds.
Lap 49: #28 Kvapil leads.
•#28 Travis Kvapil is the 60th driver to lead the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the first time.
Lap 50: #9 Kahne returns to pits for service, returns to track after 57-second stop. #42 Montoya to pits for repairs, 65 seconds.
Lap 51: #29 Harvick to pits for body repair, 40 seconds. #42 Montoya to pits, left-side tires, 10 seconds.
Lap 52: #8 Martin to pits for four tires, 17 seconds.
Lap 54: GREEN. #18 Ky. Busch leads on restart. Restart order: #18 Ky. Busch, #84 Allmendinger, #31 Burton, #19 Sadler, #1 Truex. #2 Ku. Busch returns to track after approximately 40 minutes of service. #18 Ky. Busch leads #84 Allmendinger by .459 of a second.
Lap 55: #18 Ky. Busch leads #84 Allmendinger by .270 of a second.
Lap 57: #18 Ky. Busch leads #84 Allmendinger by .393 of a second.
Lap 60: #18 Ky. Busch leads #48 Johnson by .713 of a second.
Lap 62: #48 Johnson passes #18 Ky. Busch for lead with inside pass exiting Turn 2.
Lap 63: #48 Johnson leads #84 Allmendinger by 1.634 seconds. #18 Ky. Busch third.
Lap 64: #17 Kenseth returns to track after nearly 20 minutes of repairs in garage. Team of #9 Kahne reports leaking header.
Lap 66: COMPETITION YELLOW. Majority of field to pits. #84 Allmendinger wins race off pit road, followed by #19 Sadler, #16 Biffle, #48 Johnson. #42 Montoya to garage.
Pit report: Four tires and fuel: #07 Bowyer, 15 seconds; #26 McMurray, 14 seconds; #31 Burton, 16 seconds; #24 J. Gordon, 12 seconds; #11 Hamlin, 14 seconds; #1 Truex, 14 seconds; #84 Allmendinger, 14 seconds; #15 Menard, 17 seconds; #88 Earnhardt, 15 seconds. Two tires and fuel: #16 Biffle, 10 seconds; #99 Edwards, 12 seconds; #48 Johnson, 11 seconds; #8 Martin, 15 seconds; #19 Sadler, 10 seconds. Tires only: #6 Ragan, eight seconds.
Team of #48 Johnson reporting extensive wear to cords on right-rear tire, slight wear to cords of right-front tire.
Lap 71: GREEN. Restart order: #84 Allmendinger, #19 Sadler, #16 Biffle, #48 Johnson, #6 Ragan.
•#84 AJ Allmendinger is the 61st driver to lead the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the first time.
•#84 AJ Allmendinger was the first driver to lead the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in his first start since Jamie McMurray in 2003.
Lap 72: #55 Waltrip returns to track after repairs of one hour, 25 minutes in garage. #48 Johnson leads #84 Allmendinger by .315 of a second.
Lap 75: #48 Johnson leads #24 J. Gordon by 1.331 seconds. #84 Allmendinger third, 1.778 seconds behind leader.
Lap 79: #48 Johnson leads #24 J. Gordon by .597 of a second. Johnson brushed wall exiting Turn 2 while leading, continues.
•#48 Jimmie Johnson led on Lap 80, the halfway point of the race. The leader at the halfway point of the race has gone on to win five times (1994, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2007) in the previous 14 runnings of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
Lap 81: Crew of #5 Mears reports completely worn right-rear tire, causing heavy vibration.
Lap 83: COMPETITION YELLOW.
Lap 84: Majority of field to pits.
Pit stop report: Four tires and fuel: #07 Bowyer, 16 seconds; #26 McMurray, 10 seconds; #43 B. Labonte, 12 seconds; #31 J. Burton, nine seconds; #44 Reutimann, 25 seconds; #24 J. Gordon, 14 seconds; #11 Hamlin, 17 seconds; #84 Allmendinger, 14 seconds; #1 Truex, 15 seconds; #8 Martin, 15 seconds; #6 Ragan, 15 seconds; #19 Sadler, 15 seconds.
Team of #48 Johnson reporting extensive wear to cords on right-rear tire, but less than last stop.
•#00 Michael McDowell, who took the lead on Lap 83, is the 62nd driver to lead the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the first time. #01 Regan Smith, who took the lead on Lap 84, is the 63rd driver to lead the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the first time. Both drivers join #84 AJ Allmendinger as drivers to lead the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard today in their first start.
•#1 Martin Truex Jr. took the lead on Lap 85 to become the 64th driver to lead the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the first time.
Lap 87: GREEN.
Lap 88: #99 Edwards leads #48 Johnson by .501 of a second.
•#99 Carl Edwards took the lead on Lap 88 to become the 65th driver to lead the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the first time.
Lap 91: #48 Johnson drives under #99 Edwards for lead in Turn 3.
Lap 95: #48 Johnson leads #24 J. Gordon by .869 of a second. #99 Edwards third, 1.528 seconds behind leader.
Lap 98: #43 B. Labonte to pits, right-side tires, eight seconds. Labonte will be penalized for speeding on pit road.
Lap 99: COMPETITION YELLOW. Majority of field to pit road. #19 Sadler wins race off pit road. #77 Hornish reports right-rear tire failure when caution period started. Flat right-rear tire for #1 Truex.
Lap 99 pit report:
Four tires and fuel: #26 McMurray, 16 seconds, #24 J. Gordon, 13 seconds; #11 Hamlin, 13 seconds; #20 Stewart, 15 seconds; #8 Martin, 15 seconds; #2 Ku. Busch, 27 seconds; #99 Edwards, 18 seconds; #48 Johnson, 18 seconds; #18 Ky. Busch, 13.6 seconds. Two tires and fuel: #84 Allmendinger, eight seconds; #31 Burton, eight seconds; #16 Biffle, 8.4 seconds; #9 Kahne, 11 seconds; #6 Ragan, eight seconds; #19 Sadler, nine seconds.
Lap 100: #15 Menard to pits, four tires and fuel, 27 seconds. #22 Blaney is leader.
•#22 Dave Blaney took the lead on Lap 100. He becomes the eighth driver today to lead the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the first time. This is his 10th career start in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
Lap 101: #22 Blaney to pits, four tires and 42 Montoya returns to race after extensive repairs in garage totaling 35 minutes.
•#01 Regan Smith is the first driver named Smith to ever start in either the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard or the Indianapolis 500.
Lap 106: GREEN. Restart order: #19 Sadler, #31 Burton, #84 Allmendinger, #48 Johnson, #16 Biffle. #31 Burton dives under #19 Sadler for lead in Turn 1 on restart. #83 Vickers trailing smoke on front straightaway.
•When #31 Jeff Burton took the lead on Lap 106, he became the 14th different driver to lead the race. This year's race has set a record for the most number of different drivers to have led. The previous record was 13, in 1994 and 1996.
Lap 107: YELLOW. #83 Vickers stopped along SAFER Barrier entering Turn 2, with line of liquid trailing car around track.
Medical report from Dr. Geoffrey Billows, Indianapolis Motor Speedway director of medical services: #83 Brian Vickers was evaluated in the Clarian Emergency Medical Center and released without injury.
BRIAN VICKERS: "We never can afford to take a points hit. It's a tough day out there. The Red Bull team blew an engine. We dropped a cylinder. They tried to take the parts out so we could continue to run, but it didn't last. I've got to stop and just apologize to the fans. We got some awesome, awesome fans that come out here and watch these races. I don't want to point the finger at anybody; it's a culmination of a lot of things that took place today that caused the problem we're seeing with the tires. We as a sport should have done better. I'm embarrassed; I'm sure a lot of people are. But we appreciate everybody staying here today, watching the race and sticking behind us."
Lap 113: GREEN. Restart order: #31 Burton, #84 Allmendinger, #48 Johnson, #19 Sadler, #16 Biffle. #48 Johnson passes #84 Allmendinger for second exiting Turn 4.
Lap 114: #84 Allmendinger passes #48 Johnson for second in Turn 1. #48 Johnson, #19 Sadler pass #84 Allmendinger for second and third in Turn 3. #31 Burton leads #48 Johnson by .802 of a second.
Lap 115: #48 Johnson passes #31 Burton for lead in Turn 1.
•The 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard has tied the previous record of drivers (three in 2001) who have led the race for the first time in their first start, excluding the 1994 inaugural race: # 84 AJ Allmendinger, # 00 Michael McDowell and #01 Regan Smith have led in this year's race, while the drivers in 2001 were Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick and Ryan Newman.
•When # 48 Jimmie Johnson took the lead on Lap 116, it was a record 22nd lead change of the race. The previous high was 21 in the 1994 inaugural race.
Lap 123: COMPETITION YELLOW. Majority of cars to pits. #11 Hamlin wins race off pit road, followed by #48 Johnson, #99 Edwards.
•#11 Denny Hamlin took the lead on Lap 124. He became the ninth driver today to lead the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the first time.
Lap 123 pit report:
Four tires and fuel: #84 Allmendinger, 16 seconds; #26 McMurray, 15 seconds; #31 Burton, 16 seconds; #24 J. Gordon, 14 seconds; #12 Newman, 14 seconds; #20 Stewart, 14 seconds; #18 Ky. Busch, 13 seconds; #88 Earnhardt, 14.5 seconds; #48 Johnson, 15 seconds; #9 Kahne, 13 seconds; #99 Edwards, 15 seconds; #6 Ragan, 13 seconds; #8 Martin, 14 seconds; #19 Sadler, 17 seconds. Two tires and fuel: #11 Hamlin, nine seconds. #19 Sadler, #8 Martin made wedge adjustments.
Lap 127: GREEN. Restart order: #11 Hamlin, #48 Johnson, #99 Edwards, #31 Burton, #18 Ky. Busch. #11 Hamlin leads #48 Johnson by .139 of a second.
Lap 134: #11 Hamlin leads #48 Johnson by .649 of a second. #99 Edwards third, 2.140 seconds behind leader.
Lap 139: COMPETITION YELLOW. Majority of field to pits. #11 Hamlin wins race off pit road, followed by #31 Burton, #84 Allmendinger, #20 Stewart, #19 Sadler.
Pit report:
Two tires and fuel: #24 J. Gordon, 14 seconds (one can); #31 Burton, 10 seconds (one can); #84 Allmendinger, seven seconds; #11 Hamlin, nine seconds; #12 Newman, seven seconds; #20 Stewart, eight seconds; #19 Sadler, nine seconds (2 gallons). Four tires and fuel: #26 McMurray, 14 seconds; #88 Earnhardt, 13.5 seconds; #18 Ky. Busch, 13.7 seconds; #9 Kahne, 14 seconds; #99 Edwards, 14 seconds; #48 Johnson, 18 seconds; #8 Martin, 13 seconds; #6 Ragan, 14 seconds. Johnson's right-rear tire showing heavy wear.
Lap 142: GREEN. Restart order: #11 Hamlin, #31 Burton, #84 Allmendinger, #20 Stewart, #19 Sadler.
Lap 144: #11 Hamlin leads #31 Burton by .789 of a second.
Lap 148: #19 Sadler passes #31 Burton for second in Turn 1. #11 Hamlin leads #19 Sadler by 1.269 seconds. Debris showing in Hamlin's grill, picked up in Turn 4 a few laps earlier.
Lap 150: COMPETITION YELLOW. NASCAR declared this as the final competition yellow of the event. #48 Johnson wins race off pit road, followed by #99 Edwards, #11 Hamlin, #18 Ky. Busch, #26 McMurray.
Pit stop report: Right-side tires, no fuel: ; #48 Johnson, six seconds; #24 J. Gordon, eight seconds; #99 Edwards, eight seconds; #19 Sadler, eight seconds; #31 Burton, seven seconds; #11 Hamlin, nine seconds; #9 Kahne, six seconds; #84 Allmendinger, eight seconds; #26 McMurray, 10 seconds.
Lap 154: GREEN. #48 Johnson, #99 Edwards, #11 Hamlin, #19 Sadler, #26 McMurray. #48 Johnson leads #99 Edwards by .298 of a second.
Lap 155: #48 Johnson leads #99 Edwards by .459 of a second.
Lap 156: #48 Johnson leads #99 Edwards by .353 of a second.
Lap 157: #48 Johnson leads #99 Edwards by .414 of a second.
Lap 158: #48 Johnson leads #99 Edwards by .385 of a second.
Lap 159: #48 Johnson leads #99 Edwards by .345 of a second. Both cars are snaking down the front and rear straightaways, as Johnson tries to break Edwards' draft.
Lap 160: CHECKERED. Jimmie Johnson wins the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard by .333 of a second over #99 Carl Edwards. It is his second victory in the event. He also won in 2006. Johnson became only the second driver to win this event from the pole, as Kevin Harvick first achieved the feat in 2003.
JIMMIE JOHNSON: "I knew what we were setting up for. I was worried the stop before that maybe we had to go two laps to win this thing. Chad called it perfectly. We had great stop at the end. Great car. I just can't say enough about this race car all weekend. It was a pleasure to drive, and it's because these guys have been working so hard."
***
ALLSTATE 400 AT THE BRICKYARD POST-RACE NOTES:
•Jimmie Johnson's victory was only the second from the pole position in Allstate 400 at the Brickyard competition. The only other polesitter to win was Kevin Harvick in 2003.
•Carl Edwards finished second, his best career Brickyard finish in four starts. His best previous was ninth in 2006.
•Denny Hamlin finished third, his best career finish in three starts here. His best previous finish was 10th in 2006.
•Elliott Sadler finished fourth, his second top-four finish in 10 starts here. He was third in 2004.
•Jeff Gordon finished fifth, his 12th top-eight finish in 15 starts here.
•Jamie McMurray finished sixth, his third top-seven finish in six races here.
•Kasey Kahne finished seventh, his third top-seven finish in five races here.
•Greg Biffle finished eighth, his second top-eight finish in six races here.
•Jeff Burton finished ninth, his fourth top-10 finish in 15 starts here.
•A.J. Allmendinger finished 10th in his first Brickyard start, the best finish among Brickyard rookies today.
•Mark Martin finished 11th, 10th top-11 finish in 15 races here.
•Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 12th, his sixth top-12 finish in eight races here.
•Series points leader Kyle Busch finished 15th, had his worst finish in four starts. His previous lowest was 10th in 2005.
•Team owner Rick Hendrick earned his sixth victory in 15 editions of this event, extending his record. Jeff Gordon has won four times (1994, 1998, 2001, 2004) and Jimmie Johnson twice (2006, 2008) in Hendrick cars.
***
Goodyear Director of Race Tire Sales Greg Stucker met with the media late in today's race on the fourth floor of the Media Center.
GREG STUCKER: (About if the tire problem could have been prevented): "We got to really sit back and see. Obviously, the treadwear didn't improve as we thought it would over the course of the afternoon. We don't have the answer as to why that didn't happen, so we've got to go back and look at that and try to figure out how to make it better." (About if the compound was too soft): "This is the same compound we raced last year, and the wear improved over the course of the day last year to the point where we could run the full stops. That didn't happen today, so we need to understand why." (About if the tire problem is embarrassing): "You sit and look at the data and try to figure out what to do to fix it. I don't think anybody likes to race like this, us included. We're going to try and figure out what we need to do to make it better so that's what we're here for." (About what he would say to fans that may be upset): "Again, we're going to do our best to turn it around. We're going to talk with the racetrack to figure out, 'OK, what we can do about the racetrack?' Try to understand a little bit more. Try to work with NASCAR and try to figure out what's, you know, what to expect from the car and the teams and again, we're the tire supplier. We take it on our shoulders, and we have to improve it. But again, it's a package. So we need to understand the whole thing together and try to make it better." (About possibly being concerned about Pocono): "We've already raced Pocono, and we didn't have any problems whatsoever. The second race on Pocono, and we're perfectly fine so we have no concern (on future testing). We'll probably test here before the end of this year, so we can get a leg up for next year. We tested this past April in preparation for this race." (About developing tires for the COT): "This car is definitely different. There's no question about it. I said earlier, it is challenging, but we need to understand what the challenges are and try to figure it out." (Question unintelligible): "I don't think anybody wants that. I'm sure there are other things that could have happened. We worked with NASCAR and the teams to try and manage it with the inventory we had and just try to make it so everybody go to the end and everybody had the same chance." (About who to blame for the tire problems): "It's nobody's fault. It's the package, and that's what we need to understand." (About a way to assure fans this won't happen again): "Can't help." (You can't give that assurance?): "No." (About a possible lack of full scale testing): "We had full-scale testing as far as we're concerned. We had a tire test. We didn't have an open test like we did last year, so certainly we didn't have as many cars on the racetrack as we did last year, so, then again, that's the difference, but you try to use all of that into your decision." (About teams having time to develop the car; should Goodyear have given proper time to develop the tire): "We tried to do that all along. We tested as early as we could on the car, and we were involved in the early testing so we tried to know what to expect early on and tried to be a part of those decisions." (About plans for an open test next year): "That's to be decided. It's really too early. I mean, we haven't finished this race yet, so we'll sit and decide. Testing policies are probably going to change altogether so there may not be any open test, so we'll just have to see what the policy is going to be and then react from that." (About wanting to get any statements out about the situation): "I think we just need to understand what's different this year about last year and why didn't the rubber take. Why didn't the racetrack take the rubber like it did last year. That's what we need to figure out." (About today possibly being a worst-case scenario for Goodyear): "Like I said before, nobody likes to race like this. I think the teams are going to be upset and probably rightly so. You kind of look and see what you've got and what's your situation. It was pretty obvious it was, if it was improving it was improving only minutely, so they just need to make sure that everybody had a chance to get fresh tires on." (About why there were only three cars at the April tire test): "You kind of evaluate different items with different cars, and that's about all you need to really try and get the answers. As we saw here even with 43 cars running, you don't really get the track rubbered in." (About the cars at the test): "The test was the 88, the 2 and the 84." (About what he could say to car owners paying $1,700 a set for tires that didn't last): "We came up with the best tire that we had for the conditions, and we felt part of that. We're going to turn around and try and do everything we can to make sure that we get it right." (About possibly offering teams reimbursement): "We'll figure that out." (About not switching to the Pocono tires): "We kind of looked at how far we were getting with each set and knowing the Pocono tire we really didn't think, it was pretty obvious the tire wear was not going to improve. The Pocono tires were brought here just to make sure there were enough tires to get to the end, not that it was going to be a change or an improvement. It was going to be a tire that would just get them to the end of the race. It became obvious that if we manage it well and balance the inventory out amongst the teams, we would get to the end without having to make that change." (About possibly being a black eye to the sport): "Again, we just have to work on it and make it better. That's everybody else's individual opinion on what they think of it. We need to go to work and get with the teams and try to improve the package." (About the basis for the main problem): "That's what we're trying to understand. We're not putting the rubber down that we did a year ago. The track isn't taking the rubber like it did. The right-side compound is the same. We expected it to improve over the course of the day, and it didn't do that, and that's what we need to try to understand." (About having to do more so with the car or the track): "It's just the package. Something's different about the package, and we kind of need to understand that."
***
A statement from Allstate about today's race:
"With Allstate's more than 75 years of history as a leader of safety and protection, we support the safety precautions taken by IMS and NASCAR today because the safety and protection of the drivers is what matters most."
***
A statement from Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and Chief Operating Officer Joie Chitwood about today's race:
JOIE CHITWOOD: "We appreciate NASCAR and Goodyear working closely together to manage the tire situation and to get the cars to the checkered flag of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Obviously, it's not the race you want to present to the largest crowd to watch a stock car race this year, but we do appreciate the hard work of the drivers and teams.
"The track surface hasn't changed since 2005, and I don't anticipate any changes to the surface in the immediate future.
"We will continue to work with NASCAR and Goodyear before next year's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. If more testing is needed, we will make the facility available in an effort to present a safe, competitive race for the fans in 2009."
***
ALLSTATE 400 AT THE BRICKYARD HISTORICAL NOTES:
•Multiple winners of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard:
Jeff Gordon (1994, 1998, 2001, 2004)
Dale Jarrett (1996, 1999)
Tony Stewart (2005, 2007)
Jimmie Johnson (2006, 2008)
•The average speed for the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard was 115.117 mph (3:28:29). This was the second slowest in race history. The slowest was in 2004 when Jeff Gordon won with a winning average speed of 115.037 (3:29:56). The 2004 race went 161 laps.
•This is the 10th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard win for Chevrolet. It's the sixth consecutive win at this event for Chevrolet.
•This is the sixth victory at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for Hendrick Motorsports (1994, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008).
•Jimmie Johnson was the top lap leader with 71 laps led and extended his Allstate 400 at the Brickyard career laps led to 104. He is now eighth in the race's history in career laps led. Teammate Jeff Gordon leads in Allstate 400 at the Brickyard career laps led with 440.
•There were four different makes of cars that led the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, which ties the record for greatest number of different makes to lead the race (2001, 2002). For the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, Chevrolet led 101 laps, Toyota led 47 laps, Ford led seven laps, and Dodge led five laps.
•Drivers who finished in the top 10 at the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard that finished higher or equal to prior race history finishes:
| Driver | 2008 Finish | Previous Best Finish (Year) |
| Jimmie Johnson | 1 | 1 (2006) |
| Carl Edwards | 2 | 9 (2006) |
| Denny Hamlin | 3 | 10 (2006) |
| AJ Allmendinger | 10 | First start |
•The fifth-place finish of Jeff Gordon was his ninth top-five and 12th top-10 finish in 15 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard starts.
•No drivers led for more than 15 consecutive laps in the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. •Jimmie Johnson (Lap 1-15) and Denny Hamlin (Lap 124-138) each led 15 consecutive laps.
•Michael Waltrip broke the record for most laps completed by a last-place finisher with 91. The previous most was 65 by Kenny Wallace in 1998.
•Jeff Burton broke a tie with Bill Elliott by running at the finish of his 15th straight race here. He also took over the laps completed lead from Elliott, 2,365 to 2,239 out of a possible 2,401.
Records set or tied in the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard:
•There were 16 different lap leaders. Previous record was 13 in 1994 and 1996.
•There were 26 lead changes. Previous record was 21 in 1994.
•There were 52 caution-flag laps. Previous record was 47 in 2004.
•There were nine drivers who led the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the first time, excluding the 1994 inaugural race, which had 13. The previous record was seven in 1995.
•Ninth-place finisher Jeff Burton is the only driver running at the finish for all 15 editions of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
•Fifth-place finisher Jeff Gordon and 11th-place finisher Mark Martin finished on the lead lap in the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for a record 13th time.
•23rd-place finisher Tony Stewart finished on the lead lap at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for a record 10th consecutive time. Stewart also extended an event record of 1,601 consecutive laps completed in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
•Jeff Burton completed 160 laps of the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, giving him an event-record 2,365 laps completed.
•The 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard ended with an event-record 41 of the 43 starters running at the finish. The previous record was 39 in 1999 and 2000.
•The 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard ended with an event-record 36 drivers finishing on the lead lap. The previous record was 35 in 2006.
•Jimmie Johnson led a record eight different times (71 laps) during the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. The previous record was seven times by race winners Jeff Gordon (1994) and Tony Stewart (2007).
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