The Sprint All-Star Showdown is in the books and Penske Racing’s Sam Hornish Jr. has earned his first victory in a stock car. Hornish moved past teammate David Stremme in the second segment to take the top-spot and never looked back.

“We knew we had a real good car tonight,” Hornish said. “We raced this piece at California and also Texas. It was a really good Mobil 1 Dodge. It rode well. Just what can I say? I’m tired of having to race my way into this thing. It’s been fun, it gives us a good idea of what the track’s like right now. I don’t know if we can make any adjustments between now and the All-Star Race, but I’m just super happy to be in it and racing for a million dollars. I’m just really proud of this Mobil 1 Dodge.”

Jamie McMurray overcame starting deep in the pack (28th) and a windshield he could barely see out of to transfer into the night’s main event. Charging hard on the outside for much of the event, McMurray was able to work his way to second when the checkered flag fell.

“It was pretty bad,” McMurray said of his windshield. “It happened on like the first lap and when the oil got on it it wasn’t that bad. When we went back green they put some oil dry down and when that hit the oil on the windshield it just started smearing. I really wanted to pit at that halfway point to put tires on, but you know you’re not going to make it back up there. Our Crown Royal Ford Fusion is really good though. I think we should be good for this All-Star Race.”

Fifth-place finisher Joey Logano earned the Sprint Fan Vote and will also make his first start in the Sprint All-Star Race.

"It's awesome," Logano said after learning he was voted into the All-Star Race. "I can't thank the fans enough. That's really cool and I really think I've got a good race car. We came in and took tires - I had oil all over the windshield and couldn't see where the heck I was going so that was probably problem number one."

Racing throughout the first segment was intense throughout the pack, but Stremme felt little pressure for the lead. It did not take long for the first yellow flag of the evening, when Tony Raines spun his No. 34 between the third and fourth turn on Lap 4.

Restarting the race on Lap 7, a number of cars – including Jamie McMurray and Brian Vickers – hit the high side and charged to the front. Making the move to the outside of Joey Logano, Vickers and Logano ran out of room and made contact off Turn 4. Tire smoke began billowing from the right front fender. Unfortunately for Vickers, the right front tire gave out going into Turn 1 on Lap 12, forcing him to simply pull the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota behind the pit wall and into the garage.  

On the restart, Stremme got a great start and was able to pull away with teammate Sam Hornish Jr. in his rear view mirror. McMurray continued his charge on the outside and ended the segment eighth. Stremme took the yellow flag to end the first segment in the first-spot, followed by Hornish.
An number of drivers hit pit road during the break between the two segment; including Joey Logano, David Ragan, Reed Sorenson, Michael Waltrip and others. The majority of leaders stayed on the track and Stremme restarted the race with the lead.

Martin Truex Jr. was able to make a run at the No. 77 for second, but Hornish was able to hold him off and set his sights on his teammate out front. Unable to make the pass on Hornish, Truex fell victim to McMurray and his fast hot rod just two laps after the restart.

Hornish got a great run down the backstretch and was able to dive under Stremme going into the third turn to take the lead on Lap 24.

The second segment was slowed by only one yellow flag, brought out when Elliott Sadler collected the wall in Turn 2 on Lap 25.  Following the restart, McMurray was able to move past Stremme – who was struggling to keep the No. 12 Dodge on the bottom of the track in Turns 1 and 2.

With nothing but clean air ahead of him, Hornish was able to drive to collect his first NASCAR trophy and transfer into his first NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. 

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