DOVER, Del. -- Ryan Newman rebounded from last week's engine failure to capture the MBNA America 400 Nextel Cup race at the Dover International Speedway. The No.12 Penske Racing Dodge was the definition of dominating, leading 325 laps and crossing the finish line 8.149 seconds ahead of runner-up Mark Martin.

Just eight cars could manage to stay on the lead lap with "Rocket" Ryan.

The victory was Newman's second of the season and 11th of his "Cup" career. The South Bend, Ind., native has won three of the last four races at Dover.

"Just an awesome day for our Alltel Dodge," said Newman. "We didn't have to make many changes today, because once you get it right on concrete you can keep it right."

It was evident right from the beginning that Newman was going to be a force. The No.12 Dodge driver, who started on the outside of the front row, passed pole winner Jeremy Mayfield on the very first lap.

He and 2003 Nextel Cup champion Matt Kenseth, who started a surprisingly high ninth, dominated early, leading all but one of the first 100 laps.

But Kenseth's day would be far too short. The defending series champion had a right-front tire going flat when he turned down pit lane for repairs on lap 120. He never got to his pit stall as he spun out at the opening of pit lane and slammed the inside tire barrier.

"It was just a dumb mistake," said Kenseth. "My right-front tire didn't have any grip and I should have thought about that. I went on the apron and it wouldn't turn at all."

The entire front end was destroyed. He would return to the track, but down 52 laps to the leaders. He finished the day in 32nd place,

Meanwhile, Newman continued his display of power. At the halfway point of the 400-lap event, Newman held a 1.5-second lead over Kurt Busch and had led 130 laps.

Forty laps later the lead was up to 9.155 seconds over a hard-charging Mark Martin. After he passed fellow championship challenger Jimmie Johnson, there were just 14 cars on the lead laps.

Newman kept on attacking and only a few cars could keep up with him. With 100 to go, he had led 224 of the 300 laps, and there were just 11 cars on the lead lap.

A debris caution came out on lap 330, but the results wouldn't change. On the restart with 65 to go, Newman did what he had done all day -- post the fastest laps. Fifteen laps later he had built the lead to 1.499 seconds.

Meanwhile, a couple of "Chase" contenders fell by the wayside.

Johnson was penalized for speeding on pit lane and Elliott Sadler suffered a right-rear tire puncture.

With nine laps to go, Newman was still "pedal to the metal." He passed ninth- place Dale Earnhardt Jr. to put him a lap down.

Finally, for the other 42 drivers, the checkered flag waved to put an end to the massacre.

"I really thought that the race was on, on that last restart, but boy, I found out what that No.12 really had," said a tired Martin.

Martin had won at this racetrack in June.

Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett and Kurt Busch completed the top-five.

"This is a tough racetrack and it was certainly tough for us today," said Gordon of his third-place finish. "We were just way off and Robbie (Loomis) made some great calls and really tuned the Dupont Chevrolet up. We got up to third and I thought we might have something for Mark, but I knew we had nothing for Newman."

Gordon's third-place run enabled the No.24 Hendrick Chevrolet driver to take the lead in the "Chase for the Championship." Gordon holds a slim 1-point margin over Busch (5,371-5,370). "Junior" dropped to third place, 18 points back, while Martin and Johnson are tied for fourth, just 57 points behind Gordon.

The next race in the title chase is the EA Sports 500 from the Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, Oct, 3.