2008 Sunoco 150
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The 2008 Sunoco 150 was a Camping World East Series event held at Dover International Speedway on September 19, 2008. It was quite a day for NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program. Cuban-American Aric Almirola won in his first series start, fending off African-American Marc Davis. Finishing third was Matt Kobyluck, a Native American driver. With that, Kobyluck clinched the 2008 East Series championship, the pinnacle of a remarkable series career.
[edit] Qualifying
Brian Ickler won the pole for the race, turning in a speed of 23.588 seconds that would fend off Peyton Sellers. Eventual winner Almorila would have to come from 8th while Kobyluck would start his championship-clinching day in fifth.
The only driver not to qualify for the race was #12 - Johnny Sauter (RES), who was attempting his first series start.
[edit] Race Review
DOVER, Del. – Matt Kobyluck won his first NASCAR championship Friday at Dover International Speedway, while Aric Almirola earned the win in his first appearance in the NASCAR Camping World Series East.
Kobyluck, the 38-year-old driver from Uncasville, Conn., clinched the NASCAR Camping World Series East title with his third-place finish in the Sunoco 150. Kobyluck also became the first Native American to win a NASCAR Camping World Series championship. He is a member of the Mohegan Tribal Nation.
The 23-year-old Almirola, a Cuban-American, ran the No. 8 DEI Chevrolet as a one-race substitute for Jeffrey Earnhardt. Almirola will be running in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2009. Marc Davis, an 18-year-old African-American, finished third. Steve Park and Bobby Hamilton Jr. rounded out the top five.
With one race remaining, Kobyluck holds a 224-point lead over second-place Austin Dillon. Dillon finished ninth.
In his 10th full season in the series, Kobyluck has finished in the top 10 each of the last six seasons. His previous best finish was a second-place in 2002, when he ended the season nine points behind champion Andy Santerre. Last year, Kobyluck finished fourth in points.
Kobyluck has a series-high four wins, along with nine top fives and 11 top 10s in 12 races.
[edit] Race Data
Fastest Qualifier: Brian Ickler, Time: 23.588 Seconds, Speed: 152.620 MPH Failed to Qualify: No. 12, Johnny Sauter Time of Race:1 hrs., 39 mins, 5 secs Average Speed: 90.833 mph Margin of Victory:1.495 Seconds AERO EXHAUST LAP LEADER AWARD : Marc Davis, 18 WHUR 96.3/Slim Jim Toyota CAMPING WORLD HAPPY CAMPER: Aric Almirola, 8 Dale Earnhardt Foundation Chevrolet COORS LIGHT POLE AWARD: Brian Ickler, 15 Ickler Motorsports Chevrolet FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER: Marc Davis, 18 WHUR 96.3/Slim Jim Toyota POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE: Jody Lavender, 88 Jo Jo Realty/Heritage Bank Chevrolet SUNOCO ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Ricky Carmichael *, 4 Monster Energy Drink Chevrolet Caution Flags: Laps 18-21 (Car. No. 15, Car No. 44, Accident, Turn 2); 55-60 (Car No. 21, Accident, Turn 4.); 67-79 (Car No. 95, Spin, Turn 2); 101-105 (Car No. 99, Spin, Frontstretch); 120-124 (Car No. 63, Accident, Backstretch); 131-134 (Car No. 1, Accident, Turn 4). 6 for 37 laps. Lap Leaders: Peyton Sellers 1-6, Brian Ickler 7-8, Peyton Sellers 9-10, Brian Ickler 11-17, Jesus Hernandez 18-22, Marc Davis 23-44, Aric Almirola 45-56, Matt Kobyluck 57-67, Matt Hirschman 68-77, Bobby Hamilton, Jr. 78-111, Marc Davis 112-124, Ricky Carmichael * 125, Marc Davis 126-135, Aric Almirola 136-150. Total Laps Led: Marc Davis 45, Bobby Hamilton, Jr. 34, Aric Almirola 27, Matt Kobyluck 11, Matt Hirschman 10, Brian Ickler 9, Peyton Sellers 8, Jesus Hernandez 5, Ricky Carmichael * 1. 13 changes involving 9 drivers.
Top 10 Driver Points: Matt Kobyluck 1980, Austin Dillon * 1756, Jesus Hernandez 1692, Marc Davis 1688, Trevor Bayne * 1685, Steve Park 1642, Ricky Carmichael * 1611, Eddie MacDonald 1578, Peyton Sellers 1547, Brian Ickler 1525