Marlin gets into All-Star Challenge with Open win

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- Two new tires were enough to get Sterling Marlin to the big show -- barely.

Marlin zoomed past teammate Jamie McMurray and Jeremy Mayfield on the final lap Saturday night to win the Nextel Open at Lowe's Motor Speedway and advance to the All-Star Challenge.

NEXTEL OPEN  •  Unofficial Results

Ken Schrader, who finished ninth, won a fan vote to join Marlin in the finale.

"It got pretty wild," Marlin said.

McMurray easily won the first 20-lap segment, which got off to an ugly start when 11 cars piled up as the green flag fell. Mayfield was one of those involved, and he rallied from the rear of the 25-car field with the front of Dodge patched together with tape and spare parts.

During a caution before the final 10-lap run, Marlin was the only one of the leaders who didn't change four tires. He took a big lead on the restart, but a caution for a crash by Kirk Shelmerdine tightened up the field again.

This time, McMurray beat Marlin when the green fell, and Mayfield took second. They ran nose-to-tail for two laps before Mayfield moved to the inside in Turn 4, and the two Dodges banged together.

ALSO  The Nextel Open got off to a slow but exciting start when No. 2 starter Casey Mears didn't get up to speed on the green flag and was hit from behind by Jeremy Mayfield, triggering a multi-car melee before the field got to Turn 1 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.  •  Complete story, click here

They stayed side-by-side for a full lap before McMurray moved back ahead coming to the white flag. But he nearly lost control of his car -- as did Mayfield -- and Marlin drove by both on the inside for the lead.

Marlin's Dodge beat Mayfield by about five car-lengths.

"Once we started gaining on them a little, they got to racing side-by-side," Marlin said. "I was like, 'This is what we want here."'

The race was red-flagged shortly after the big wreck on Lap 1. Casey Mears, who started on the outside of the front row, broke a transmission just past the green flag and was pushed into the outside wall by Mayfield.

In the ensuing mayhem, Kerry Earnhardt, Brendan Gaughan, Ricky Rudd, Jimmy Spencer, Jeff Burton, Scott Riggs, Schrader and Morgan Shepherd all wrecked. It was particularly costly for Earnhardt, the half brother of Dale Earnhardt Jr., who had a ride with Richard Childress Racing.

"That was the shortest race I can ever remember being in," Spencer said. "I don't think we went even a thousand feet."

None of the drivers involved were injured.