Stenhouse captures Nationwide victory

NEWTON - Regular drivers on the NASCAR Nationwide Series were in a skid against their Sprint Cup counterparts, but Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finally put the brakes to it.

The 23-year-old out-drove the only two Sprint Cup drivers in the field to achieve it.

Stenhouse jockeyed with Carl Edwards for most of the final 100 laps before taking the lead with 18 laps remaining and capturing the checkered flag for the Nationwide Iowa John Deere Dealers 250 on Sunday in front of 37,811 fans at Iowa Speedway.

Stenhouse, who claimed his first Nationwide pole position in 2009 at Iowa Speedway, sped to his first win in 51 starts in the series. The final pass was one of a Nationwide record 17 lead changes at Iowa Speedway and capped a dual between the two Roush-Fenway Racing drivers that produced eight of those in the final 85 laps. 

“To be that first one, it feels good,” said Stenhouse, who was one of a Nationwide record seven leaders at the 0.875-mile track. “Since we got that first one out of the way, hopefully, the next two will be a little bit easier, but this series is tough.”

The challenge is greater when drivers from the Sprint Cup circuit compete, although they are not considered for season points. Nationwide drivers received a bit of a reprieve Sunday, because only two Sprint Cup competitors - Edwards and Brad Keselowski - were in the Nationwide field. Edwards, the Sprint Cup points leader, and Keselowski finsihed second and third, respectively, after competing Saturday at Charlotte (N.C.) Speedway for the Sprint All-Star Race.

Stenhouse claimed the first win by a Nationwide regular since Justin Allgaier reached victory lane in March 2010. Stenhouse predicted more Nationwide drivers will earn wins this season.

“For us to get it, I think it feels good for the Nationwide guys,” Stenhouse said. “I don't think we're the only Nationwide regulars going to win a race this year.

“Everybody's running strong. They're finishing in the top five. The Cup guys, whether they're there or not, us Nationwide regular guys are competing with them.”

The win was significant and provided a boost for many of the Nationwide regulars hoping to earn wins this year.

"I think it was a great day for Nationwide racing as a whole with Ricky Stenhouse winning a race," said Nationwide season points leader Elliott Sadler, who placed fifth in his Iowa Speedway debut and earning his sixth top-five finish in his last eight races.

Stenhouse doesn't want to see any changes to Sprint Cup drivers involvement in Nationwide. he wants to hone his skills, and the skills of his crew, against the best competition.

“I think that's the only way you're going to get prepared to go to that next level is if you're racing them each and every week,” Stenhouse said. “If you can't beat them on Saturday I don't feel there is any reason why to go racing with them on Sunday.”

Owner Jack Roush said there needs to be a balance in Sprint Cup participation. He admits he doesn't know the answer but thinks NASCAR is doing a good job.

“There's an entertainment component of all the racing that we do in NASCAR,” Raush said. “The Nationwide Series is not a series singularly for developing new talent. If all you had was 43 drivers that were unknowns you wouldn't have the crowds that you want to have to build stadiums and provide sponsorships and you wouldn't be able to generate enough money for it.”

Stenhouse exorcised some demons at the race track as well. Last year, Stenhouse wrecked multiple times last year in Newton despite placing 14th. He fought the memories from a year ago.

“It was tough to put it out of my mind, that's for sure,” Stenhouse said. “All through practice yesterday that's all I was thinking about.

“That's probably one of the reasons why we weren't as fast in practice. Just making sure we had a car for the race.”

Handling and setup can overcome speed and it showed climbing into the top five for the majority of the last half of the race. The team had a game plan and it worked, even if the practice speed didn't hint to it.

“We weren't the fastest car in practice this week,” Stenhouse's crew chief Mike Kelley said. “We had a car that races real good and I think that paid off for us today for sure.”

It paid off late. With the late lead, Stenhouse was determined to make it stick, hoping to avoid a caution and a restart with Edwards and Keselowski. Stenhouse said he has had opportunities to win earlier this year, but this race was the first time he closed it out, securing his ninth top-10 finish and moved him into third in the points standings, trailing Sadler by eight. He is one back of second-place Reed Sorenson, who finished fourth after leading 77 laps.

“Just to come away with a victory is nice," Stenhouse said, "relieved to get that first one.”