There is no on-going rivalry between Tony Stewart and Boris Said, but the past two races in the Nextel Cup series have sure made it appear that way.
A week ago in Sonoma, Stewart and road-racing expert Said battled side-by-side for position, making contact several times before Stewart finally made the pass. Stewart may have won that battle, but Said came out on top, finishing sixth while Stewart struggled to stay in the Top 30 with an engine problem.
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Nobody ever thought the scenario would repeat itself Saturday at Daytona International Speedway.
Said, a world-class road-course racer who has decidedto put together his own part-time Cup team for this season, showed up with next-to-no-oval track experience, while Stewart came into the race a Daytona winner and two-time series champion. Said was hardly expected to make the race, yet the 43-year-old surprised everyone, turning in an amazing qualifying lap that put him on the pole.
Once the green flag dropped, it was obvious that Stewart had the best car on the track. While Said dropped toward the back of the field, Stewart took a commanding position up front, staying out of trouble, as top contenders Jimmy Johnson and Jeff Gordon both got caught up in late wrecks.
On the last set of caution-flag pit stops, however, Said and Casey Mears both stayed out as the rest of the field came in for tires, and the unlikely pole-sitter was back in the lead with only 12 laps to go. Stewart came charging back toward the front, and when the next caution flag of the race waved, Said and Stewart were once again set for a showdown.
Unlike the previous week at Sonoma, the pair raced each other clean in the closing laps at Daytona. And Stewart ? trying to overcome two straight disappointing finishes ? slid by Said with only three laps to spare, cruising from that point to his second victory of the season.
The win could not have come at a better time for Stewart. After dropping from fourth to seventh in the standings over the past five races, he jumped back up to fifth place, solidifying his spot in the Top 10 with only eight races until the Chase for the Cup begins. An elated and relieved Stewart climbed the fence in celebration and then jumped into the crowd to the delight of the Daytona fans.
Said, who came three laps short of an improbable upset win, looked just as happy on pit road after the race. Being in contention at the end was more than anyone ? including Said himself ? could have expected.
Stewart will try to continue his climb in the points next week, as the Nextel Cup stops at Chicagoland Speedway. Fortunately for him, Boris Said is taking the week off.
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