Recapping the Lenox Industrial Tool 301

This accident on lap 226 was just one of 10 cautions.
Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR

Today's race at Loudon was exciting and unpredictable and featured 10 cautions, 21 lead changes and 14 different drivers battling for the lead.

The first caution came out at lap 31 for debris in turns three and four; Newman was in the lead.

The second caution came out when Kyle Busch drove the No. 18 into the wall in turn three. There was speculation that he collided with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Busch dispelled that speculation quickly during his interview afterwards. He blew a head transferring too much brake heat through the wheel. Newman was still in the lead.

During that caution flag, A.J. Allmendinger collided with No. 71 car of Andy Lally while on pit road, causing tire problems for Allmendinger.

On lap 101, the third caution was thrown out because of debris as Newman remained in the lead.

Greg Biffle took the lead in time for the fourth caution, which was thrown out was on lap 145 because of an accident with the No. 2 in turn 3 for blowing a tire. "We didn't have a lot of speed today. For some reason, the car was really, really tight. I didn't want to go a lap down, was doing all I could and blew a right tire," Brad Keselowski said to media. "It wasn't meant to be and ended up blowing a tire, probably from brake heat."

Kurt Busch was in the lead for the fifth caution that was due to oil on the track during laps 162. Fans at NHMS got to see its "big crash" today during lap 172 involving cars 11, 42, 43, 71 in turn two causing the sixth caution; not long after that, the seventh caution was at lap 185 when Mark Martin spun out. Kurt Busch held on to the lead and led for a total of 66 laps.

Not to surprise you, but the eighth caution was due to debris, to which Dale Earnhardt Jr. joked that it was "The Magic Debris," on his radio. At that time, Carl Edwards was in the lead for a single lap.

Another accident took place on the front stretch during lap 226 with the 4, 36, and 83 cars. The Red Bull No. 83 of Vickers had to pull into the garage for severe damage to his car. At that time, Joey Logano was in the lead; he had led four laps earlier and had reclaimed it at this point.

Newman reclaimed the lead at lap 230. The last caution, Jimmie Johnson, spun out in turn two on lap 241.

Other notable leaders were Jeff Gordon with 19 laps, Jimmie Johnson tying with 19; Jamie McMurray led six laps; Kasey Kahne, Marcus Ambrose, Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Clint Bowyer, Andy Lally all led a lap.

In the end, Newman had held on to the lead until the last lap; he led the most laps, a total of 119. His teammate Stewart led 48 laps and near the end, there was a battle for second place between Stewart and Denny Hamlin. Stewart finished second to give his team a one-two finish, just like the race started.

A rare ending certainly fitting for the 2011 season, which has been filled with many unexpected endings.
Recapping the Lenox Industrial Tool 301 Recapping the Lenox Industrial Tool 301 Reviewed by Unknown on Sunday, July 17, 2011 Rating: 5