The Race Report.(Racing)(2002 Chevrolet 400 car race)(Brief Article)

Almost unnoticed, Matt Kenseth has become a Winston Cup force this year. His come-from-way-behind win in the Chevrolet 400 at Richmond was his series-best fourth (this year) and fifth in 102 career starts. And although he won't win the championship-he's tied for eighth, 248 behind after 26 of 36 races-he'll likely finish top-10 for the first time.

Kenseth overcame two flat right-fronts and stretched his fuel late in the 400-lap, 300-mile race. Goodyear engineers and crew chief Robbie Reiser agreed the team was underinflating its tires. ``That must have been it, because we didn't have any problems after we added more air like Goodyear suggested,'' Kenseth said. ``Still, toward the end, I was more worried about having another flat than I was of running out of gas.''

Ryan Newman led the most laps (145) and finished second, giving Ford a giddy 1-2 sweep in the Chevy-sponsored race. Chevy drivers Jeff Green and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were 3-4, followed by the Fords of Todd Bodine, Mark Martin and Ricky Rudd. The Dodge of Ward Burton, the Ford of Dave Blaney and the Dodge of Jeremy Mayfield were eighth, ninth and 10th. Kenseth led twice for 134 laps, including the final 108 after passing Newman.

Late-race mechanical problems cost Rusty Wallace 12 spots (third to 15th) and Tony Stewart 26 spots (fourth to 30th). On the other hand, fuel was a major player as Green gained four spots in the final ...