 Johnson drove to the track 's inside at turn three and passed Kahne for the lead on lap 211 and started to pull away from the rest of the field . Bowyer drove to his garage on lap 216 for a transmission change because he lost the use of third gear . Jeff Gordon had closed the gap to Kahne by lap 229 . Green @-@ flag pit stops started six laps later when Kahne made a pit stop from second place . Johnson took on four tires at his stop on lap 239 , handing the lead to Jeff Gordon , who ceded it to Earnhardt two laps later . Martin 's pit crew dropped a lug nut which resulted him remaining stationary for 21 @.@ 7 seconds , while Burton stalled his car which required his crew to push him to the end of pit road . An eighth caution was triggered on lap 242 when Yeley attempted to drive down pit road , and made contact with Martin . He attempted to avoid Yeley by driving left below the driver to escape onto the turn four apron and went airborne . Martin spun and went into the tri @-@ oval wall , and Robby Gordon hit Yeley , causing Gordon to spin into the front stretch grass . Earnhardt made a pit stop on lap 244 , followed by Kahne on the following lap . Edwards gained the lead and maintained it at the lap @-@ 252 restart , followed by Earnhardt and Kahne . Five laps later , Kahne passed Edwards to reclaim the lead as they came across slower cars and began to pull away . Debris was located on the track on lap 276 , necessitating the race 's ninth caution . During the caution , the leaders elected to make pit stops . 
