The Frontstretch: The Top Spot: Texas Showdown by Brandon Daun -- Monday April 18, 2005

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The Top Spot: Texas Showdown

Brandon Daun · Monday April 18, 2005

 

The Samsung/Radio Shack 500 was the first visit of the season to the Texas Motor Speedway. The race at Texas showed NASCAR fans why it is worthy of a second race date, with plenty of high speeds and dramatic moments. As the laps wound down, Greg Biffle cruised to his second victory of the season in a backup car. While many look back at the Texas race and only see Biffle’s domination, there were many more moments in the race that may prove crucial in the race to the chase.

Casey Mears was the top driver of the day. Mears was in the running for his best finish of the season, and as the race progressed he found himself in contention for the victory. However, in the end his car seemed inferior to that of Biffle, McMurray, and Johnson. Mears finished the day fourth, and moved six positions in the points. Mears is now 17th in the race to the chase.

The top team of the day was not a pit crew, however was the multi car team known as Chip Ganassi Racing. Chip Ganassi Racing earned a second, fourth, and fifth place finish in the Samsung/Radio Shack 500, their best running of the season. All three team’s performances at Texas shows they are all dedicated to earning a place in the chase. Things are looking good for the three teams, as all are currently in the top 17 in points.

For yet another week, a Joe Gibbs Racing driver suffered the top heartbreak of the day. After witnessing both his teammates encounter troubles in the 500 mile event, Tony Stewart was poised for a win that would turn Joe Gibbs Racing’s season around. This win was not to be, and while in contention for a win, Stewart suffered mechanical troubles as his car burst into flames. Stewart was treated for burns in the infield car center, however perhaps more dissapointing for the Home Depot team were the six positions they lost in the points. Stewart fell to eleventh in the standings after his 31st place finish.

This week, Ricky Rudd gets the “attaboy” award. Rudd finished eighth on Sunday, making it a second week in a row that the Wood Brother’s Ford has finished inside the top 10.

Next week, the Nextel Cup stars will be racing under the stars in Pheonix. As it is the first NASCAR night race at the desert track, fans and drivers alike are wondering what will happen in the 500 miles. Earnhardt, Junior is a defending race winner at the flat track in Pheonix, and I believe that Rusty Wallace may find success under the lights with his flat track experiance. In closing, I’d like to say to keep an eye on the Roush stable, as all five of those drivers have favorable odds for a win.

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