Harvick wins Sunday's Sylvania 300

LOUDON, N.H., Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Kevin Harvick won Sunday's Sylvania 300 at Loudon, N.H., the first of 10 races to determine the 2006 Nextel Cup champion.

He finished 0.777 seconds ahead of Tony Stewart, to gain his fourth victory of the season and ninth of his "Cup" career.

Harvick led the 43-car field to the green flag to begin the 2006 Chase for the Nextel Cup. He also led after the first lap and collected an important five-point bonus.

Harvick's win puts him at the top of the standings after the first race in the "Chase for the Nextel Cup." It is the first time Harvick has ever been the Nextel Cup points leader.

Race No. 2 of the 10-race "playoff" is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 24, at the Dover International Speedway.