Polesitter Ryan Newman captured the lead during the final round of pit stops with 30 laps to go and won Sunday’s Crown Royal presents the Samuel Deeds 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Newman’s crew chief Matt Borland, elected to only change two tires while Johnson’s team changed four. The two tire stop gave Newman a seven second lead over Johnson and he was able to hold off Johnson despite the tire advantage by 2.658 seconds.
“Matt Borland made an awesome call. I’ve won more races on old tires and out of gas than I have with four tires and the best car.” Newman said.
This was Newman’s first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) win of the season was the 17th of his career and his first at Indianapolis.
“There is definitely disappointment there, but this is racing that stuff happens. I have given away a couple late in the race myself this year. We win as a team we lose as a team, it’s just how it is. I wouldn’t take another race team out there. I’m very proud of this KOBALT Tools Chevrolet team and everything that goes into it. Great day, Ryan (Newman) was fast all day long. I can’t take anything away from him.” Johnson said.
Kasey Kahne finished third, Tony Stewart fourth and Matt Keneth finished fifth.
