This series of closely spaced yellows continued when Boat, who had been falling back, spun into the infield in turn 2.

Pit stops jumbled the running order and left Tony Stewart, Sharp, Arie Luyendyk and Eliseo Salazar pursuing Goodyear.

Yeley, just returned to the track after extensive repairs, spun and contacted Donnie Beechler, who had been moving up through the field.

All four were out and Boat suffered a broken thigh, an injury that would force him to miss some races and end his championship hopes.

Despite concern about the engine blowing (it could be heard hitting the rev limiter quite notably on the onboards), it held through the end of the race, and even the Canadian was able to reel in Stewart in traffic, but could not follow him in clear runs.