The 2006 DirecTV 500 was a Nextel Cup event held at Martinsville Speedway on April 2, 2006. Tony Stewart led 288 of the 500 laps and held off a late-charging Jeff Gordon for the victory. Gordon had a legimate shot on a green-white-checkered, but some Stay-Dry lost Gordon traction on the restart and the race. Points leader Jimmie Johnson finished 3rd and held a 59-point lead on Mark Martin (13th). Stats