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AVONDALE, ARIZ. (AP) -- The victories used to come often and seemingly so easy for Ryan Newman. 

But now that Newman has finally made it back to Victory Lane, it is that much more satisfying. 

Newman ended a 77-race Sprint Cup winless drought with a surprising triumph at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday
night. A late caution flag kept Kyle Busch from a weekend sweep and provided the opening for Newman to win a two-lap shootout over Jeff Gordon. 

Newman says it's the "most emotional victory" in his career. It was his first since the 2008 Daytona 500, and the first since
joining Tony Stewart's new team last season. 

As a rookie driving for Roger Penske in 2002, Newman set a rookie record with 22 top-10 finishes and topped Jimmie Johnson for rookie of the year honors.

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