Notes: Newman is back, but it's not a comeback (cont'd)

Car sick or COT sick

Dodge driver David Stremme was on the other end of the performance pendulum in Monday's race.

Under a yellow-flag caution on Lap 271, Stremme was forced to relegate driving duties of his No. 40 to Regan Smith when Stremme became sick and complained of headaches.

Team officials said the driver was taken to the infield care center where medical professionals concluded Stremme showed elevated levels of carbon monoxide in his blood and was dehydrated.

Stremme said his discomfort was from a soar throat. He began feeling flu-like symptoms on Friday.

Between Stremme and Smith, the car, which started 34th on the grid, never climbed higher than 30th at any point during the race.

Mikey takes 'baby step'

After missing 11 consecutive races, Michael Waltrip made his second start of the season Monday.

"We didn't have a very good run, but the pit crew got to practice and we got to learn," said Waltrip, who finished 28th in his Toyota Camry.

Staying out of trouble for the majority of the race, Waltrip's day tanked when a tire went down.

"I had a flat tire and messed up my car really bad at the end, but I was still able to hold off the guy I was racing for position. That's a baby step," he said. "At least I'm not minus points in the drivers standings now. I've got that going for me."