Birthday boy Matt Kenseth held off Kasey Kahne to win Sunday's Kobalt Tools 400
LAS VEGAS — Matt Kenseth knows how to celebrate a birthday with style.
Sunday was a landmark day for the driver, who turned 41.
He took the lead under caution with a fuel-only pit stop and staved off a challenge by Kasey Kahne to win the Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
It was the first Sprint Cup victory in a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota for the 2003 champion, who switched teams this season after 15 years with Roush Fenway Racing. The Cambridge, Wis., native has notched 25 victories in NASCAR's premier series.
RESULTS: Kobalt Tools 400
"Man, this is awesome," Kenseth said. "I just knew it. I feel really good about this group, and it's just the beginning.
"I was real nervous all day. (Kahne) had the best car. I was getting too tight and killing the right front, but I just had to stay in front of him."
Kenseth also became the third Sprint Cup driver to win a points race on their birthdays.
Cale Yarborough won twice on his March 27 birthday (in 1977 at North Wilkesboro Speedway and 1993 at Atlanta Motor Speedway). Kyle Busch won at Richmond International Raceway on May 2, 2009, his 24th birthday.
"I was kind of bummed about being 29," Kenseth joked, "but turing 29 feels pretty good."
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