AVONDALE, Ariz. (April 10, 2010) -- Ryan Newman passed Jeff Gordon on the green-white-checkered restart and held the lead for the final two laps to win Saturday evening's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway.
When the final caution waved with four laps remaining, Newman was in fifth place as the lead cars headed to pit road. But thanks to a quick two-tire stop by the No. 39 team, Newman's Tornados/U.S. Army Chevrolet returned to action in second place.
After passing Gordon in turn one on the two-lap shootout, Newman never looked back and went on to claim his 14th career Cup win. It was his first victory since winning the 2008 season-opening Daytona 500, and his first win with the Stewart-Haas Racing team. It was also the first career win for Tony Gibson in the crew chief role.
Newman, who finished fifth at the last race in Martinsville, Va., gained six spots in the point standings and now sits in 16th place. He is only 53 points from 12th -- the final spot in the Chase.
Newman's teammate, Tony Stewart, finished 23rd and is ninth in points.
The next Cup race is April 18 at Texas Motor Speedway. Newman will be back in the U.S. Army car, which will showcase a special paint scheme -- recognizing the Army ROTC.
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