Richmond race report

NASCAR Nextel Cup Driver Matt Kenseth Wins Crown Royal Iroc at Richmond

Richmond, VA (Sept, 9 2004) -- NASCAR NEXTEL Cup star Matt Kenseth won race three of the Crown Royal International Race of Champions at Richmond International Speedway Thursday night.

Starting fourth, Kenseth, the reigning NASCAR champion, took the lead from IndyCar Series driver Scott Sharp on lap six of the 90-lap event and without challenge went on to dominate the remainder of the first short track event for the All-star series.

Kenseth said, "Once I got out into the lead I wanted to make sure we led all the laps we could to get all the points we could and now we actually have an outside chance at the final race in Atlanta."

Finishing second was NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver, Ryan Newman placing him in the points lead. Fellow NASCAR drivers Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

There were two caution periods, including the competition yellow at lap-60. The first caution was for World of Outlaws star, Danny Lasoski who got his car out of shape exiting turn two. Lasoski flat spotted his Goodyear tires and was serviced by the Crown Royal crew before rejoining the field.

IndyCar Series star, Scott Sharp bested the open wheel contingent finishing sixth followed by USAC Triple Crown champion J.J. Yeley in seventh. IndyCar Series drivers Helio Castroneves and Scott Dixon finished eighth and ninth, respectively. Lasoski finished 10th followed by NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil finishing 11th after tagging the wall, and rounding out the field, finishing 12th, World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser. Kinser fell out of the race on lap-38 with mechanical problems.

Kenseth, in his first year of Crown Royal IROC competition spoke proudly of his accomplishment at Richmond saying, "I watched a lot of IROC races as a kid and I remember watching Mid-Ohio and Darlington with all the great drivers in it. It's an honor for me to be invited to the IROC series, and really cool to win a race and get one of the IROC trophies."

The Crown Royal International Race of Champions will reward one million dollars to the 2004 champion when the series concludes at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 30.

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