I was restless to get back to Kentucky Speedway after being away for almost two years. I didn't renew my season tickets but my father was able to get tickets to the Nationwide series race in June 2006.
The 2006 Nationwide season had seen a Sprint Cup driver win every single race up to that point. Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, and Denny Hamlin were all present and ready for their "Buschwhacker" victory. But the one guy that no one had heard of, David Gilliland, qualified fourth in a little-bit sponsored Chevrolet.
The race saw a lot of lead changes and Gilliland hung near the front the entire race. He would lose time on pit road because his crew was not experienced. Fortunately for Gilliland, there was not a late pit stop needed and he outraced J.J. Yeley and Hamlin. I was shocked to see a guy win that I heard so little about and such little sponsorship. No Stp or Exxon for Gillilland!
How unlikely was the victory for Gilliland? Outside of his win, his other eight finishes that year in Nationwide:
- 39th, 29th, 33th, 30th, 26th, 36th, 29th, and 30th.
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