Mikey Power

O'Reilly's 300 - 4/4/09

Michael Waltrip's #99 Aaron's Dream Machine finished 19th in the O'Reilly's 300, this afternoon's Nationwide race at Texas Motor Speedway. A long green flag run at the start of the race and a pit road penalty during green flag stops cost him two laps.

Kyle Busch led the field to the green flag and held onto the top spot to lead the first lap. Mikey rolled off 19th but lost a spot within the first three laps. Johnny Chapman and Terry Cook were in the garage by lap 9.

By lap 20, Mikey was 18th. Brendan Gaughan passed him six laps later, and Brad Keselowski passed them both shortly therafter. Mikey was now 20th. He was back to 19th by lap 36, having passed Steven Wallace. Wallace passed him back within the next five laps, by which time Mikey had dropped to 21st. One forth of the way into the race, Mikey lost the lead lap.

David Reutimann started green flag stops on lap 52. Others followed suit, and Busch pit on lap 56. Keselowski stayed out to lead; meanwhile, his brother Brian's #96 was pushed to the garage. Mikey pit on lap 59 and lost another lap when serving a pass through penalty for a pit road violation. When Keselowski made his stop, Busch was back out front.

Lap 60 saw Dale Earnhardt Jr struggle. He had a loose tire following his stop and limped back to the pits.

The first caution was on lap 66 for debris. Keselowski received the free pass, and some drivers chose to make stops. Only twelve cars were on the lead lap.

Stewart led the restart on lap 72 behind Mike Bliss, who was on the tail end of the lead lap in 13th. Kyle Busch reclaimed the lead shortly thereafter. Mikey was 25th and two laps down but moved up to 22nd by lap 76. Two laps later, Justin Allgaier slowed dramatically and wiggled on the track.

Lap 90 saw Mikey in 21st. One lap later, Jeff Burton took the lead. Busch reclaimed it going into lap 107. Around this time, Kenny Wallace passed Mikey and moved the #99 back to 22nd.

The second caution was on lap 120 for debris. Bliss received the free pass, and drivers made stops. Under caution, Burney Lamar's #32 was pushed to the garage.

Busch led the lap 125 restart. Mikey was 20th, two laps down.

The third caution was on lap 160. Brendan Gaughan had spun off Turn 4 and through the infield. He had been trying to pass Kevin Hamlin's lapped #81 and lost grip. Michael Annet in 14th received the free pass. Cars pit under yellow, and Gaughan, Allgaier, and Kevin Lepage all received pit road penalties.

Racing resumed with about 38 laps to go with Busch leading and Mikey in 19th.

The yellow flag waved for the fourth time with 12 laps to go. John Wes Townley had hit the wall. Cars made stops, and Tony Stewart took the lead.

The green flag returned with seven to go. Busch led, and Keselowsi in second spun the tires. Mikey was two laps down in 19th. With five laps to go, Joey Logano drifted up the track and pushed Carl Edwards into the wall. Busch went on to win, and Mikey finished 19th.

Be sure to watch Mikey tomorrow in the Sprint Cup's Samsung 500. Coverage starts tomorrow at 1:30pm ET on FOX.