David Ragan Claims 1st NASCAR Win

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- After competing in nearly 200 races in NASCAR's three marquee series, David Ragan picked up his first victory in Saturday's Nationwide Series race at Talladega Superspeedway besting, among others, restrictor plate expert Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Ragan positioned his No. 6 Discount Tire Ford just behind the lead pack cars of Ryan Newman, Earnhardt and veteran Tony Raines in the final laps. And when the typical Talladega last lap scramble broke out, Ragan slipped by for the checkered flag about six feet in front of Newman. Joey Logano, Raines and Earnhardt rounded out the top 5.

As Ragan made his maiden trip to Victory Lane, most drivers -- including Earnhardt and Newman -- stepped out onto pit to congratulate the 23-year-old.

"It feels good," Ragan said, adding with a laugh, "but I guess I don't have anything to compare it with.

"It feels good to make a last lap pass like that, something you grew up watching on television.

Arguably, the last lap wasn't even Ragan's most eventful moment of the afternoon.

He overcame a one-lap penalty for speeding on pit road. And then he triggered an accident on lap 104 of the 120-lap race that sent his Roush Racing teammate Matt Kenseth's Ford barrel-rolling down the track.

While racing in a tightly-bunched pack, Ragan hit Kenseth's car from behind causing it to flip twice and roll along the track apron with flames blazing out of the roof. Kenseth was fine, however, amazingly climbing right out after the badly-damaged car came to rest right-side up.

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TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Ryan Newman, driver of the #33 Rheem Chevrolet, leads the pack during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ryan Newman

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TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Kyle Busch, driver of the Z-Line Designs Toyota, leads the pack during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kyle Busch

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Matt Kenseth runs from his burning race car after crashing during the Aaron's 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. on Saturday, April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Jeff Vest)

TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: A pack of cars race through the tri-oval during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: David Ragan, driver of the #6 Discount Tire Ford, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** David Ragan

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TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Brad Keselowski driver of the #88 Klondike Chevrolet makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Brad Keselowski

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He was frustrated, but not angry at his young teammate, who quickly sent apologies to the team.

"I hated to see that," Ragan said. "It was one of those things that can happen when you're racing hard with your teammate. And anytime we tear up a car, it's tough for the whole organization. We're pulling for the 16-team too."

And after checking on Kenseth in the infield medical center, Roush gave the former Cup champ the crumpled car as a souvenir.

Ragan's victory was the eighth by a Sprint Cup driver in eight Nationwide races this season.

"Bottom line, he was in the right position at the right time," runner-up Newman said of Ragan. "You want to get your first win in style. He won it in fashion. He earned it."