Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #6 Ford EcoBoost Ford, passes Mark Martin, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Sam's Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Defending Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr., picked up his first victory of the season by holding off legendary driver Mark Martin at the Sam’s Town 300 in Las Vegas. Stenhouse moved up to third in the overall standings after a slow start including a late wreck at the opening event in Daytona.

Last year, I had a chance to speak to Stenhouse in Kansas where he talked about the importance of faith in his life: “We wouldn’t be doing this if God hadn’t allowed us to do it,” he said. “He’s the one that’s ultimately in control of everything.”

Other top performers included Trevor Bayne in fourth, Justin Allgaier in eighth and Sam Hornish Jr. in ninth.

Read more from these drivers by clicking on the links below:

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Mark Martin

Trevor Bayne

Justin Allgaier

Sam Hornish Jr.

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