Speed Holds off Allgaier, Kimmel to Win at Berlin
Speed, in the no. 2 Red Bull Toyota, took the lead from Kimmel on the 153rd lap of the 200 lap race and never relinquished it to earn his third career victory and second consecutive triumph of the 2008 season.
"It was an epic battle," said Speed, who was one of four different lap leaders. "This track is like nothing I've ever raced on. It's actually a lot of fun and quite challenging to drive. Had a great time out there tonight. Really feel good for the guys on this team, who worked so hard to give me the perfect racecar. They certainly met the challenge tonight."
Speed also earned the SunTrust Highest Finishing Rookie of the Race award.
Allgaier, in the no. 16 AG Tech-Hoosier Midwest Chevrolet, also raced past Kimmel late in the race to finish second, five lengths behind Speed.
"We just didn't have quite enough," said Allgaier. "Scott (Speed) was on his game there and really good on restarts. Actually, he was good all the way around. The guys did awesome and we did everything we knew how and they just did it a little bit better. All in all a good night and we had a good points night. Anytime you can be disappointed and finish second you've had a good night-believe me."
Allgaier also established a new one-lap track record in SIM Factory Pole Qualifying, surpassing a mark set by Fred Campbell in 2003. He also earned the Accel Fastest Lap of the Race honors. Allgaier's crew chief Jim Pohlman was the Cometic Crew Chief of the Race.
Kimmel, after leading the most laps, finished third in the no. 44 Ford Drive One-ECC Ford.
"It was nice to lead some laps and be competitive all night," said Kimmel. "We needed longer runs at the end there to be competitive but overall pretty happy with the Ford Fusion. In the middle of the race we were even faster than some of the guys who had four new tires. We love coming to Berlin and maybe this started something for us and we'll get it going for the rest of the season from here."
Kimmel, who led 71 laps, also earned the Aaron's Lap Leader Award and the Klotz Half Way Leader Award.