Matt Kenseth
Cambridge-native Matt Kenseth failed to win a NASCAR Sprint Series race in 2014, and had not crossed the finish line first since September 22, 2013.
That span of 51 consecutive races without a win ended Sunday when Kenseth took the checkered flag of the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Racing from the pole for the first time this season, Kenseth and the rest of the 43-car field had to wait through a 90-minute rain delay before starting their engines. The race was then halted three more times, including a near four-hour delay that push the overall race day past nine hours.
Kenseth led for 47 laps, withstanding 11 extra laps, 11 cautions, and 21 lead changes to secure his 32nd career Sprint Cup victory.
As a result of the rain and a crash with eight laps to go, the race finished with a two-lap overtime sprint, where Kenseth held off the charges of Jimmy Johnson and Jeff Gordon.
Eau Claire’s Paul Menard finished the race 11th.
The win propelled Kenseth to fifth in the points standings, while Menard advanced to 14th.