Roush cars dominate at Dover

DOVER, Del. – Matt Kenseth and Jamie McMurray made it a 1-2 finish for Roush Racing.

And what a thrilling finish it was.

McMurray was the driver to beat, holding the lead for most of the final 90 laps Sunday until the patient Kenseth made his move, passing two drivers late before the leader was firmly in view.

Kenseth reached McMurray in lapped traffic, raced side-by-side, then dipped low on a clean pass off the fourth turn with three laps left and pulled away to win at Dover International Speedway.

“They were leaving me plenty of room to pass,” Kenseth said. “I just caught him at the right time and was able to just barely squeeze in front.”

Kevin Harvick finished third, followed by Jeff Burton and Kyle Busch. Jimmie Johnson maintained the points lead, finishing sixth after starting a season-worst 42nd.

McMurray seemed poised to win for the second time in his Nextel Cup career after taking the lead with 98 laps left in the Neighborhood Excellence 400. One day after turning 30, McMurray’s belated birthday present to himself was so close to being a trip to Victory Lane.

Kenseth spoiled the party. His No. 17 Ford started nipping at the leaders with about 30 laps left in the caution-marred race.

First, he passed Burton, then Harvick. All that was left was McMurray.

With three laps to go, Kenseth got by McMurray after the leader was slowed a bit by Michael Waltrip’s lapped car. With one lap to go, Kenseth pulled away for his second win of the season and 12th of his career.

“It was really exciting,” Kenseth said. “I feel bad for Jamie.”

The win earned him a small boost in the points standings. Kenseth sliced Johnson’s lead from 109 points to 74.

“I never thought about the points at all today. We’re thinking about winning races,” Kenseth said. “It’s early enough in the year.”

Injured defending champ Tony Stewart completed 38 laps before Ricky Rudd replaced him. Stewart drove with a broken shoulder blade suffered last week at Charlotte, and had trouble lifting his right arm before he was eased into his car.

Stewart made a quick exit, lifting himself halfway out already unstrapped and with his helmet off before he was gently pulled out the rest of the way.

Stewart said he never felt comfortable and complained of some soreness.

“I was glad we got the caution when we got it,” he said.