The Monster Mile took a bite out of the field with just under 50 laps to go Sunday in the AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover International Speedway. Last year’s winner, Jimmy Johnson, was leading the race to a restart when he missed a shift and his carslowed. Martin Truex ran into the back of Johnson, turning him sideways, and the carnage that ensued collected 18 cars. The front stretch was completely blocked resulting in the race being red-flagged while the wreckers cleaned up the mess.While misfortune was the theme of the day for most drivers, Matt Kenseth posted his first win of the year virtually assuring him a spot in the playoffs with the six other race winners to date. Kenseth, no stranger to misfortune this year, held off Kyle Larson over the closing laps to grab the checkered flag that has slipped from his grasp repeatedly over the first third of the season.After a slow start, Penske driver’s Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano had worked their way into the top five and it looked like the Ford drivers’ were poised to battle to the finish. For the second week in a row a late race wreck spoiled Team Penske’s chances. Logano was caught up in “the big one” Keselowski managed to avoid major damage to finish 6th, with Ford driver’s Ryan Blaney and Trevor Bayne placing 8th and 10th respectively. Blaney’s 3rd top 10 in as many weeks keep the Wood Brother’s driver in playoff contention, holding down 15th in the season standings.The Series now heads to Charlotte for the NASCAR All-Star race and the classic 600-mile race on Memorial Day weekend. Tweeks to the All-Star format are sure to provide some interesting racing conditions as drivers compete for the one-million-dollar purse and the prestige of winning the title in this unique non-points event.
