TALLADEGA, Ala., April 20 (UPI) -- Jason Keller avoided an early 27-car pileup and gave himself an early birthday present Saturday by winning the NASCAR Busch series Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Stacy Compton was the only driver to put pressure on Keller over the final laps but finished second in a Chevrolet, while Tim Fedewa was third in a backup Pontiac Grand Prix as the only other driver on the lead lap.
Keller, who turns 32 on Tuesday, started 12th in a Ford Taurus and made it to the front after a few laps. On lap 15, Kenny Wallace and Scott Riggs jockeyed for position off turn 2, forcing Riggs to hit the brakes.
Rookie Shane Hmiel was unable to avoid Riggs, bumping him in the rear. Riggs' car shot down the track and straight into rookie pole-sitter Johnny Sauter, whose Chevrolet was turned around and went upside-down, touching off the huge melee on the back straightaway.
Only 13 cars made it back to the finish line and the race was halted for 40 minutes. There were no serious injuries reported, although Mike Harmon bit his tongue and required stitches.
Eight of the top 11 drivers in the Busch series standings failed to finish. Kenny Wallace ran third behind Keller and Compton before his engine gave out with 10 laps to go.
Keller went on to his second win of the season and seventh of his career. He also took the checkered flag on Feb. 23 at North Carolina Speedway.
Fedewa, who started 32nd, was followed by Todd Bodine and rookie Casey Mears. Andy Kirby finished sixth, two laps off the pace. Alabama native Jimmy Kitchens was seventh after completing 111 of 117 laps. Larry Foyt, Wallace and Hank Parker Jr. rounded out the top 10.
