Allmendinger hangs on, wins Nationwide at Mid-Ohio

LEXINGTON, Ohio -- AJ Allmendinger was so close he could almost envision coasting through his final lap and capturing the checkered flag.

Then, elsewhere on the course, a car spun out and the subsequent yellow flag meant the pack would have to restart behind the pace car in a two-lap sprint to the finish.

But after leading 73 of the 94 laps, he survived that last, late challenge to win the inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

"In a way, I feel like I'm playing with house money because I never expected to be back here at this level," said Allmendinger, making another major step back after his suspension a year ago for failing a random drug test. "I'm just taking it all in and having fun with it."

Allmendinger improved his record to 2 for 2 this year in the Nationwide Series, adding a victory to the one he picked up for Penske Racing in his only previous start at Road America.

Pole-winner Michael McDowell was second, with native Ohioan Sam Hornish Jr. third, Max Papis fourth and Brian Vickers fifth. Hornish took over the season points lead, 13 points ahead of Elliott Sadler.

The race was plagued by spin-outs and fender benders.

The last one almost changed the outcome.

With everyone racing to the finish and Allmendinger's Discount Tire Mustang comfortably ahead of McDowell by a couple of seconds, the car driven by Kenny Habul spun out on Turn 11. Out came the caution, with Allmendinger left to make one last stand.

Hornish made a run at the leaders almost immediately and also tried to skirt inside McDowell at the first turn. Allmendinger, who ended up winning by 1.165 seconds, was focused on holding on.

Like all the rest of the leaders, fuel was a consideration since almost everyone hadn't counted on the extra laps under caution.

Absolutely no one was surprised there were lots of caution flags, with 40 large, powerful cars racing around a layout with a variety of elevations and hairpin curves that is just 40-feet wide in places.

The first 18 laps were clean but then things started getting messy. Justin Allgaier -- who would bounce back to briefly challenge for the lead later -- found the sand off Turn 9 for the first yellow.

Trevor Bayne and Regan Smith were among the drivers who had their cars spun, either through contact, aggressive driving or in the heat of the race.

By the end, however, with just 15 or so laps left, the top two had separated themselves, several seconds ahead of third-place Hornish. Almendinger held onto the lead -- not pulling away but not losing any ground -- as they made it a two-car race.

Rounding out the top 10 were Sadler in sixth, Marcos Ambrose, Allgaier, Bayne and Jeremy Clements.

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