| NASCAR Weekend Report | | | | and left debris on the track that cut Busch's tire. Matt |
| 5/10/2009 | | | | Kenseth took the lead and finished under a |
| Author: Matt Gerwitz U. S. Sports Media, Inc | | | | record-tying 10th caution. |
| DARLINGTON, S.C. - The track nicknamed "The Lady | | | | Sprint Cup practice meanwhile, claimed 10 victims as |
| in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" | | | | Darlington added more stripes to her already |
| hosted NASCAR's top two series over the weekend, | | | | impressive collection. Among the drivers to kiss the |
| adding to its reputation of being a track that puts | | | | Lady was Greg Biffle, whose number 16 Ford had |
| drivers right on the edge. Darlington Raceway's odd | | | | managed to stay off the wall for the last three |
| egg shape makes it difficult to set up a car to work | | | | years. Asked about the contact he responded, |
| well in all the turns, and although sixty-two feet wide | | | | "Thank goodness it didn't hurt the car any, it just |
| in turns three and four, the only place to get a grip is | | | | beat the side up a hair." Three drivers, Scott Speed, |
| right up against the wall. Many a good driver has | | | | David Reutimann and David Stremme ended up |
| finished his day hitting the wall coming out of turn | | | | wrecking during practice, forcing them to backup cars |
| four and this weekend was no exception. | | | | for the race. |
| The fun began on Friday with qualifying for the | | | | The victory in Saturday's Southern 500 went to |
| Nationwide Series Diamond Hill Plywood 200 rained | | | | classy and respected Mark Martin, with Jimmie |
| out. The starting order was determined by owner | | | | Johnson, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman and Jeff |
| points, putting Kyle Busch out front followed by Ryan | | | | Gordon rounding out the top five. The track |
| Newman, Carl Edwards, Joey Logano, and surprise | | | | continued her assault on NASCAR's best drivers, |
| rookie Erik Darnell. Qualifying for the Sprint Series | | | | claiming plenty of victims and bringing a record 16 |
| Southern 500 went off as usual with Matt Kenseth | | | | cautions. Among them was Clint Boyer who came in |
| turning a record lap of 179.514 mph. Jeff Gordon | | | | riding a streak of 83 consecutive races in which he |
| turned the second fastest lap but watched as | | | | was still running at the finish. That streak ended |
| Hendrick teammate Jimmie Johnson was smacked by | | | | when contact with A.J. Allmendinger sent him into the |
| The Lady in Black. Coming out of turn two he got | | | | outside wall and then the inside wall, destroying his |
| loose and it the wall, then bounced off and turned | | | | ride. Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
| down to hit the bottom. Johnson still qualified on | | | | were a few of the other Darlington victims. |
| driver points but had to settle for the 42nd spot. | | | | For the season, points leader Jeff Gordon leads |
| The afternoon turned into evening and brought the | | | | second-place driver Tony Steward by 29 points. Kurt |
| start of the Nationwide race. Kyle Busch dominated | | | | Busch is 55 points down in third place, Jimmie Johnson |
| most of the way and appeared to be a lock to win | | | | is fourth, and Denny Hamlin fifth. Jeff Burton, Kyle |
| the 200 mile contest, but despite leading 143 laps, a | | | | Busch, Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, |
| flat tire with three to go forced him into the pits and | | | | Mark Martin and Carl Edwards fill out the top twelve |
| a 16th place finish. A wreck involving Scott Lagasse | | | | positions. |
| Jr. and Joe Nemechek brought out the ninth caution | | | | |