Spencer Wins Grand National

LAS VEGAS —  In a Busch Grand National series race that was tame and uneventful until the last few laps, veteran Jimmy Spencer beat rookie Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the finish line Saturday to win the Sam’s Town Las Vegas 300 before 60,000 fans at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

While Spencer was taking the checkered flag, chaos reigned farther back on the track, erupting into a multi-car accident that saw Busch champion Randy LaJoie’s car land upside down at the head of pit road. Seven cars were involved, but no one was hurt.

“I’ve lost my share of money here on the crap table, but this will make up for it,” said Spencer, 40, who received $72,950 for the win, his eighth as a Busch series driver. “I really wasn’t worried about Dale Earnhardt Jr. I was worried about Jeff Burton [who finished fourth].

“Then I said, ‘Where did Dale come from?’ He’s like his old man.”

Joe Nemechek, who led 87 of the 200 laps, finished third. Spencer led 46 laps, Burton 50, and pole-sitter Mark Martin eight. Martin finished sixth.

The second place was Earnhardt Jr.’s best finish since he joined the series last season.

“We’re not surprised,” said Earnhardt Jr., who is 23. “We’ve got the best equipment and team. Sometimes, though, I question the driver. Hopefully we’ll get an A-plus today, but we’ll have to talk to the owner about that.”

The car is owned by Dale Sr. and his wife, Teresa.