Checkered Countdown: Top-Five Martinsville Finishes

No.5 Clint Bowyer wrecks Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman sails to victory lane (2012).

On a late restart that seemed to be the beginning of a two-lap shootout between the two most successful active drivers at Martinsville – Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson – Clint Bowyer decided to make it three-abreast in turn one. He collided with Gordon and they went spinning along with Johnson and many other cars. Ryan Newman who had started fifth got the most out of it and became the leader. He was then able to hold off his competitors on the subsequent Green-White-Checkered and won.