By Barry Johnson
Special to the Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

(May 22, 2011)

NEWTON, Iowa—Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won Sunday’s John Deere Dealers 250 at Iowa Speedway for his first career victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Stenhouse outdueled Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski, the only Sprint Cup Series regulars in the race, for the win.

“Just to come away with a victory is nice; I’m relieved,” said the 23-year-old Stenhouse, making his 51st series start. “The guys were A-plus today — they nailed it. We kept the car good all race and that was the key.

“I was just glad we finally got that win.”

Edwards, who won Saturday night’s Sprint All-Star Race in Charlotte, had the lead after a restart for a caution with 22 laps to go in the 250-lap race. But on Lap 232, Stenhouse made the decisive pass on his Roush/Fenway Racing teammate. Edwards finished second and Keselowski third.

The race had a track-record 17 lead changes among seven drivers, including Stenhouse and Edwards swapping the lead with each other eight times. Stenhouse led 41 laps and Edwards 33.

Reed Sorenson, who led a race-high 77 laps, and Elliott Sadler rounded out the top five. Kenny Wallace, making his 500th Nationwide Series start, finished sixth.

Stenhouse’s previous best finish was third in July 2010 at Daytona.

With his finish, Sadler keeps the series points lead by seven over Sorenson and eight over Stenhouse.

Michael McDowell, Justin Allgaier, James Buescher and Austin Dillon rounded out the top 10 at Iowa.