Aug 24, 2013Matt Kenseth took the lead after a caution on Lap 375 and managed to hold off a late charge by Kasey Kahne to win the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night.
Kenseth grabbed his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series-leading fifth victory of the season and the 29th win in his Cup career, and in the process, he clinched a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. It was Kenseth’s third win at Bristol, but his first since 2006. It was the third time this season Kahne has finished second to Kenseth.
Juan Pablo Montoya finished third and was followed by Brian Vickers and Joey Logano to round out the top five.
Kenseth’s win came on a night when plenty was at stake in the standings with just a few chances left to qualify for the Chase.
At the end of the night, Jimmie Johnson’s points lead had shrunk to 18, defending champion Brad Keselowski had fallen out of the Chase, and although they held Wild Card spots, Martin Truex Jr. and Ryan Newman both had three drivers in front of them in points who weren’t qualified for the Chase based on wins.
