NNS: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Wins For First Time at John Deere 250

A sell out crowd at Iowa Speedway for the John Deere 250
Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for NASCAR
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won today's John Deere 250 from Iowa Speedway and claimed his first career victory in 51 starts. Stenhouse held off teammate Carl Edwards and reigning Nationwide champion Brad Keselowski for the win.
Stenhouse and Crew Chief Mike Kelley embrace in celebration
Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for NASCAR

Stenhouse's previously top finish was a third place finish in the July 2010 race at Daytona.

The Nationwide Series have many memorable events this weekend - most notable was the 500th career start of Kenny Wallace, driver of the No. 09 for RAB Racing. Wallace has been active in NASCAR since 1988.

Also of note at the Iowa race, three women competed: Jennifer Jo Cobb and newcomers Amber and Angela Cope. The Cope twins are nieces to Derrike Cope and are the first twins to run a Nationwide race.

Race Highlights:

  • Drew Herring piloting the No. 20 for Joe Gibbs Racing starts from the pole and leads the first 37 laps
  • Michael McDowell driving the No. 18 for JGR leads laps 38-56
  • Competition caution at lap 56 due to rain in Iowa throughout the weekend
  • Reed Sorenson takes the lead after caution, leads 77 laps
  • Ryan Truex (No. 99) has a tire go down and hits the wall at lap 111 bringing out a caution
  • Angela Cope (No. 44) hits the wall on the backstretch (lap 118) bringing out a caution  and a few laps later..
  • Amber Cope (No. 93) spins in Turn 2 again displaying a caution at lap 130
  • final caution on lap 220 Brian Scott (No. 11) crashes in turn 1 after contact with Stenhouse Jr.

Race Results:

1. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
2. Carl Edwards
3. Brad Keselowski
4. Reed Sorenson
5. Elliott Sadler
6. Kenny Wallace
7. Michael McDowell
8. Justin Allgaier
9. James Buescher
10. Austin Dillion
11. Steven Wallace
12. Drew Herring
13. Michael Annett
14. Jeremy Clements
15. Scott Wimmer
16. Joe Nemechek
17. Aric Almirola
18. Mike Bliss
19. Mike Wallace
20. Morgan Shepherd
21. Blake Koch
22. Robert Richardson Jr.
23. Eric McClure
24. Daryl Harr
25. Dennis Setzer
26. Jennifer Jo Cobb
27. Brian Scott
28. Angela Cope
29. Josh Wise
30. Timmy Hill
31. Luis Martinez Jr.
32. Amber Cope
33. Jason Leffler
34. Ryan Truex
35. Carl Long
36. Johnny Chapman
37. Mike Harmon
38. Brad Teague
39. Tim Andrews
40. Chase Miller
41. Charles Lewandoski
42. Tim Schendel 
43. Brett Rowe
NNS: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Wins For First Time at John Deere 250 NNS: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Wins For First Time at John Deere 250 Reviewed by Unknown on Sunday, May 22, 2011 Rating: 5