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Jimmie Johnson wins the Sprint All-Star race.....again
posted by Mike Neff
Sunday May 19, 2013
Five-time is now four-time when it comes to the Sprint All-Star race. Coming into Saturday night’s race, Johnson was tied with Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt for most wins in the annual event with three wins. Johnson bided his time, restarted the last segment in the second spot, dueled Kasey Kahne for two laps to secure the lead and pulled away to a convincing win. Joey Logano started the last segment in the seventh position, took advantage of a slip up by Kyle Busch on the start of the final segment, and ultimately came home in the runner-up spot. Kyle Busch rebounded from his slip up to muscle his way back to third. Kahne started the final segment on the pole but couldn’t hold off Johnson on the first few laps of the restart and ended up fourth. Kurt Busch won two segments, was the first on pit road for the money pit stop, but finished the event in fifth place. Jimmie Johnson summed up his results in two words, “we’re lucky”. It was tongue in cheek but Johnson was poking fun at the people who continue to accuse the No. 48 of preferential treatment, fixed races, and a blind eye to cheating. Johnson has one of the highest winning percentages in NASCAR history and it comes from natural talent and chemistry with his crew. This race also now ties Johnson with Davey Allison as the only two drivers to win the race in back-to-back years. Logano and Busch visited with the media after the race to speak about their runs. Logano was understandably upbeat about his second while Busch was quite dejected, having another All-Star race slip out of his grasp. Kahne spoke about the elephant in the room that is the length of the segments in the race during his post race availability on pit road. He noted that the inherent problem with the format is that the car is designed with downforce, on a track that is cool and has a bunch of grip. The only way to make the races exciting after the first couple of laps of racing would be to extend the segments to the The first 20 lap segment was won by Kurt Busch. Segment two went to his brother Kyle. That segment win allowed Bruton Smith to breathe more easily since he put up a $1,000,000 bonus to anyone who won all four of the segments. Segment three also went to the younger Busch, while the fourth segment win was tallied in brother Kurt’ s account.
Kyle Busch wins the North Carolina Education Lottery 200
posted by Mike Neff
Friday May 17, 2013
‘Rowdy’ Busch was back in his familiar No. 51 truck at his favorite track on the Truck schedule. Busch led 80 laps and thought he should have led more but had a fuel issue on pit road that resulted in him having to battle back through the field. The race was slowed by eight cautions that helped him work his way back through the field. Busch beat Brendan Gaughan to the finish by .488 seconds, while Max Gresham chased them both to the line for his first top three finish of his Truck career. Matt Crafton came home in fourth place after having to battle through a couple of tire mishaps during the event. Ty Dillon rounded out the top 5 for his first finish that high this season. Busch led the race three times for his 80 laps. Miguel Paludo was second on the laps led board with 33. Gaughan, Gresham and Dillon also scored bonus points for leading laps. There were two cautions in the first 72 laps of the race while 29 of the last 62 laps were completed under the yellow flag. Jeb Burton started the race on the pole but did not lead a lap. He did however end the race as the Rookie of the Race for his 13th place finish. Matt Crafton leads Burton by 22 points in the season standings after five races this season.
Matt Kenseth Snatches Victory from the Jaws of Defeat at Darlington
posted by Mike Neff
Sunday May 12, 2013
Kyle Busch appeared to be headed for another weekend sweep after winning the Nationwide race at Darlington on Friday night. However, a funny thing happened as they were bringing out the dustpan. Matt Kenseth chased down the dominant car of the night, passed him with relative ease and then strolled away to a 3.165 second victory. Kenseth led the final 13 laps after Busch had held the point for 265 of the 354 laps leading up to Kenseth’s race winning pass. After Kenseth worked around Busch, the No. 18 slid rapidly backwards over the final eight laps to fall from second to sixth place. Joe Gibbs Racing did manage a 1-2 finish after sweeping the podium in Friday night’s Nationwide tilt. Denny Hamlin, in his first full race back in the car since his vertebrae fracture at California, soldiered through the pain of his arms, neck and shoulders more than his recovered back to wrestle a second place finish away from the Lady in Black. Coming home in third was Jeff Gordon, who turned his 700th career start into a top 3 finish. Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top 5 in the Bojangles Southern 500. Kurt Busch started the race on the pole and led the first 51 laps before coming to the pits for a green flag stop. After the stops cycled through Busch was back at the point for 18 more laps before his brother began his domination. The race went green for the first 302 laps save a seven lap caution stint from lap 125 to lap 131. The final 65 laps saw four more cautions that flew for accidents involving Regan Smith, Brad Keselowski, Casey Mears, Kurt Busch, Josh Wise, David Reutimann and Kasey Kahne. The race saw four leaders including Jeff Gordon in addition to the Busch brothers and Kenseth. The win is Kenseth’s 27th of his career and breaks a tie between himself and his teammate Kyle Busch. The win is Kenseth’s third this season which is the most among all of the competitors in the Cup series. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was the Rookie of the Race. Jeff Gordon’s top 5 finish was his 300th of his career. He joins Richard Petty, David Pearson and Bobby Allison as the only four drivers in the history of the sport to accomplish such a feat.
Busch Dominates at Darlington as JGR Sets Nationwide Series Record
posted by Amy Henderson
Friday May 10, 2013
Kyle Busch dominated the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 on Friday night en route to his 56th career Nationwide Series victory and fifth series win of 2013. Joe Gibbs Racing in general was the class of the field all night at Darlington Raceway, claiming four of the top 5 finishing spots, with only fourth-place Joey Logano keeping them from sweeping the top four spots. It was a historic night for JGR, as no team has ever before placed four cars in the top 5. Elliott Sadler finished second to Busch and Brian Vickers third, with Logano and Matt Kenseth rounding out the top 5. Busch led 107 of 147 laps on the way to the win. Sadler was the best among the Nationwide Regulars, finishing second despite an early spin in Turn 2, and gained points on leader Regan Smith, who finished seventh. Kyle Larson continued to impress at the Lady in Black, posting a sixth-place finish in his first Darlington start as he runs for rookie honors. Sam Hornish, Jr., who remained second in points, finished eighth while Kasey Kahne and Justin Allgaier filled the top 10. Smith now leads Nationwide Series points by 28 over Hornish. Sadler jumps two spots to third on his second-place run as Justin Allgaier fell one place to fourth. Vickers gained three sports and is now fifth, 49 behind Smith. Austin Dillon, Parker Kligerman, Brian Scott, Alex Bowman, and Kyle Larson round out the top 10.
Joe Gibbs Racing Penalties Reduced Following Appeal
posted by Summer Bedgood
Wednesday May 8, 2013
Joe Gibbs Racing had many of their penalties for the No. 20 team reduced during the appeal process on Wednesday. Driver Matt Kenseth and owner Joe Gibbs had their points penalties reduced from 50 to 12 points. Crew chief Jason Ratcliff’s suspension has also been dropped from seven races to one, though he will still be forced to pay the $200,000 fine. Not all of the penalties were reduced, however. Toyota Racing’s manufacturer points penalty was increased from five points to seven. All other penalties were dropped, including the suspension of Joe Gibbs’ owners license, the loss of bonus points for the Chase earned at Kansas Speedway, and the loss of eligibility into the Sprint Unlimited garnered from the pole at Kansas Speedway. JGR has accepted the penalties and will not appeal further. Following a dominant win at Kansas Speedway a few weeks ago, Kenseth’s car failed post-race inspection when it was found that a connecting rod was 2.7 grams below the minimum weight. Toyota Racing Development accepted the blame for the incident. The reduction moves Kenseth up to fourth in points, 66 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson. JGR has not announced who will replace Ratcliff this weekend in Darlington. The appeal was heard by Mark Arute, Dennis McGlynn, and Jack Housby. NASCAR cannot appeal the revised penalties.
Penske Has Suspensions Reduced On Appeal
posted by Thomas Bowles
Wednesday May 8, 2013
Roger Penske’s team got some relief Tuesday from NASCAR’s Chief Appellate Officer John Middlebrook, as he chose to reduce penalties assessed to that organization at Texas Motor Speedway in early April. Middlebrook, after hearing the evidence from both sides Tuesday chose to reduce all suspensions in the case from six to two weeks, plus NASCAR’s All-Star Race on May 18th. That means the final consequences for both teams are the following: No. 2 car No. 22 car Other Middlebrook’s official statement was short, simply stating, “After looking at all the facts, data, and interpretations from the rule book, I have decided to uphold the original fines and points penalties. However, I have decided to reduce the suspensions of the seven team members involved from six points races and the All-Star race to two points races and the All-Star Race.” However, it seemed both sides, after presenting their cases were far more pleased with how the case was handled during this portion of the appeal. “We were able to talk about areas we worked in,” said Roger Penske, referring to the “gray area” of the NASCAR rulebook officials ultimately felt stepped over the line. “I’m very happy with the outcome. This sport has been built on innovation. All of us have tried to innovate in areas not defined in the rulebook. We were in that area.” In conversations with the parties involved, it was clear the controversy surrounded parts designed to increase the rear-end angle at the back of both cars. In past years, with innovation limited through the Car of Tomorrow templates teams have played around with suspension systems designed to make the rear end of the car easier to “move.” The more the car skews in the corner, the easier it can be to handle and gain extra speed. However, NASCAR had made rules designed to curb those types of innovations this year and made the determination Penske parts to build the rear suspension were unapproved. Why they had gone undetected in previous inspections was never addressed, along with claims someone else in the garage had alerted officials to possible inappropriate car construction. One thing Penske did admit, though is had this decision been issued by the initial appeals panel, he would not have pressed his luck with Middlebrook. “All of us,” he said. “Have lost points for certain infractions over the years. The key thing is to have people back at the racetrack operating in full control.” The end results leave Logano 18th in points, 146 behind championship leader Jimmie Johnson and 43 outside a Chase position. Keselowski is far more stable; fifth in points, he’s 69 behind and 45 ahead of 11th-place Matt Kenseth. Neither of the Penske cars have won a race this season. “Moved on from last few weeks,” Keselowski tweeted Wednesday morning. “And ready to focus on @TooToughToTame (Darlington Raceway).” The next round of NASCAR penalty appeals, focusing on Joe Gibbs Racing and Matt Kenseth will be heard on Wednesday morning. Connect with Tom!
Penske Racing LOSES Penalty Case, Will Appeal To NSCRC John Middlebrook
posted by Thomas Bowles
Wednesday May 1, 2013
A three-member panel Wednesday unanimously upheld penalties assessed to Penske Racing after pre-race inspection at Texas Motor Speedway. Comprised of Pocono President Brandon Igdalsky, Bowman-Gray President Dale Pinilis and former NASCAR VP Paul Brooks, the trio determined the sanctioning body’s evidence was enough to “convict” Penske to the tune of points lost, suspensions given and $200,000 in fines. Roger Penske, in response has pledged to send a final appeal to National Stock Car Racing Commissioner John Middlebrook. That hearing will occur Tuesday, May 7th at NASCAR’s Research and Development Center. Here’s a quick list of what penalties are pending (everything but the points deductions will be deferred, pending Middlebrook’s approval until after the final appeal): No. 2 team No. 22 team Both teams NASCAR’s representation included Sprint Cup Director John Darby but not Vice President Robin Pemberton, who was whisked away to Florida on jury duty. Owner Roger Penske was in attendance to defend the allegations along with Team Manager Travis Geisler, Tim Cindric, Walt Czarnecki, Joey Logano’s crew chief Todd Gordon along with several other key principles. UPDATE: The National Stock Car Racing Commission issued a brief statement, reviewing the penalties and then explaining the following. “Upon hearing the testimony and carefully reviewing the facts, it was a unanimous decision by the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR.” “The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the rule book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer.” Connect with Tom!
Kyle Busch Wins Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown
posted by Thomas Bowles
Friday April 26, 2013
Who says Joe Gibbs Racing teammates don’t get along? Kyle Busch is certainly receiving gifts, from Denny Hamlin in the form of shiny trophies from winning the latter’s annual charity event. Rowdy was romping through the field again at Richmond Thursday night, taking control at the race’s midpoint and cruising during the latter stages to win the Showdown for the third time in the past six years. In a race that benefits the Denny Hamlin Foundation, created to help those with cystic fibrosis Busch had his late model hitting on all cyilnders down the stretch. Pulling away from fellow Cup driver David Ragan, in the final segment of the 75-lap race the outcome was simply never in doubt following a 5-minute break for pit stops prior to Lap 47. Ben Rhodes, Ronnie Bassett, Jr., and Garrett Campbell rounded out the top-5 finishers. Other Cup drivers, including defending race champion Tony Stewart were in the field but never a factor up front. Smoke, actually extending his slumping start to 2013 into this race got wrecked before the halfway point and wound up 28th. Matt Kenseth, still distraught after a midweek penalty virtually negated his win at Kansas was never truly competitive, either; he finished 22nd. Also on Thursday night, African-American driver Ryan Gifford won the first K&N Pro Series East race of his young career. Surviving a five-lap shootout, following a red flag he cruised home over Brandon Gdovic. Connect with Tom!
Matt Kenseth, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Penalized As Engine Fails Kansas Post-Race Inspection
posted by Thomas Bowles
Wednesday April 24, 2013
Until the end of time, Matt Kenseth can say he crossed the finish line first at Kansas Sunday. NASCAR Record Books will say the same. But after a harsh series of penalties announced on Wednesday, should they stand that’s about the only thing Kenseth can hang his hat on after a successful weekend turned sour. According to multiple reports, officials at the NASCAR R & D Center in North Carolina discovered a connecting rod on Kenseth’s engine, brought in for Kansas post-race inspection weighed three grams less than the minimum weight of 525g. The consequences, announced today are crippling for both driver and team. Kenseth, along with car owner Joe Gibbs have been docked 50 driver and owner points, actually reducing their overall totals heading into Kansas even though the No. 20 car won the race. That lost chunk of points drops Kenseth from eighth to 14th in the standings. More importantly, the win “won’t count” for either bonus points in the Chase or determine postseason eligibility; that means the driver, now in “Wild Card” position is considered to have one win so far this season instead of two. That’s just the tip of the iceberg on these consequences. Crew chief Jason Radcliffe, fined $200,000 based on the infraction has also been suspended for the next six Sprint Cup points events, along with the All-Star Race. Toyota, whose TRD engine department ultimately supplies the JGR powerplants has had five points deducted from its total in the manufacturer’s championship. And finally, Joe Gibbs himself, already docked 50 owner points has had his license suspended by NASCAR, which means he’s ineligible to accrue owner points for the No. 20 until the next six Sprint Cup Series points races are completed. Gibbs, NASCAR has clarified will still be able to travel to the racetrack despite a suspended license. In a tersely worded statement, the owner says he’ll appeal the ruling, which violated three parts of the series rulebook. The one most pertinent is Section 20-5.5.3(E) which states only magnetic steel connecting rods, with a minimum weight of 525.0 grams will be permitted. Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4J, which gives officials the right to penalize for parts they claim do not conform to NASCAR rules were also cited in the sport’s official release. Toyota Racing Development’s Lee White, in a statement released early this afternoon took responsibility for the violation. During NASCAR’s routine post-race tear down of Matt Kenseth’s race-winning car and engine from Kansas Speedway,” he stated, “One of our engine connecting rods weighed in approximately three grams under the legal minimum weight of 525 grams. None of the other seven connecting rods were found to be under the minimum weight. We take full responsibility for this issue with the engine used by the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) team this past Sunday in Kansas — JGR is not involved in the process of selecting parts or assembling the Cup Series engines. It was a simple oversight on TRD’s part and there was no intent to deceive, or to gain any type of competitive advantage. Toyota is a company that was built on integrity, and that remains one of the guiding principles of the company. The goal of TRD has always been — and will continue to be — to build high-performance engines that are reliable, durable and powerful, and within the guidelines established by NASCAR.” Kenseth, who has led 482 laps this season, two higher than his total last year has been one of the strongest competitiors on the Sprint Cup track in 2013. His engines have also passed several previous inspections.
Johnny Sauter Penalized For Fuel Cell Infraction At Kansas
posted by Thomas Bowles
Wednesday April 24, 2013
Thorsport Racing, along with former Truck Series point leader Johnny Sauter are reeling this Wednesday after a major penalty involving their No. 98 Toyota. On Wednesday, NASCAR announced the team was fined $10,000, crew chief Joel Shear has been suspended for four races and 25 owner points were taken away as a result of a faulty fuel cell, confiscated during pre-race inspection at Kansas. Driver Sauter was also hit was a loss of 25 points, completely reshaping the championship Chase heading into the next race of the season at Charlotte May 17th. According to NASCAR officials, the team violated multiple sections of the rulebook. The key ones involve Section 20B-16 and 20B-16.1B, regarding the proper size and functioning of fuel cells. “Once a fuel cell or fuel cell components have been certified,” the rules say, “Modifications of any kind will not be permitted.” The 16.1B portion refers to black safety foam, with a minimum height of eight inches that must be used as a safety mechanism when putting together the fuel cell itself. By violating that rule, NASCAR is insinuating the team modified or enhanced the cell in some way by cutting back / replacing that foam. Section 12-1, actions detrimental to stock car racing was also listed as a rules violation along with 12-4K, which gives NASCAR Officials the leeway to penalize teams when they feel previously legal equipment was modified, in any manner after being initially inspected. Thorsport, as of yet has not said whether they plan to appeal. The penalties mean Matt Crafton becomes the new Truck Series point leader, by 13 over Jeb Burton while Sauter gets pushed back into a tie for second place. |
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Matt McLaughlin · Monday November 10, 2008
The Key Moment: Jimmie Johnson held off a hungry Kurt Busch four times on restarts in the final 25 laps.
In a Nutshell: Johnson put on a clinic, showing the rest of the garage area who is going to be this year’s champion – and why.
Dramatic Moment: There was some good racing back in the pack. At the front? Not so much.
What They’ll Be Talking About Around the Water Cooler This Week
Johnny Benson leads Ron Hornaday by three points going into next week’s Truck Series finale, and Clint Bowyer leads Carl Edwards by 56 points going into next weekend’s Nationwide finale. Here’s what’s odd about that: both of those series use the “classic” points system. So, a suggestion for NASCAR’s senior brass: check Brian into rehab and announce the death of the Chase format at this year’s NYC banquet. Some would argue that the Chase is working just fine – it’s keeping everyone’s focus off of how the Car of Sorrow is ruining the racing in the Cup Series. You know what they say… a camel is a horse designed by committee.
Edwards, Johnson, and Kyle Busch have each won eight times this season. Even if none of the three take the checkers next week at Homestead, that means three drivers will have combined to win two thirds of this year’s Cup points races. Is that good for the sport?
It’s hard to call ABC/ESPN a “network partner” when they give precedence to “America’s Funniest Home Videos” over the conclusion of the penultimate championship race of NASCAR’s Chase. You think CBS will ever cutaway from an NFL playoff game to make sure “Cold Case” airs on time? After all, isn’t it the damn networks that have been forcing these late afternoon race starts on the fans?
Jeff Gordon’s chances of ending 2008 without a goose egg in the win column are slowly fading into the sunset.
Is Jeff Gordon going to be able to pull a win out of his hat next week to keep his fourteen year consecutive win streak alive? Is Gordon ever going to win a race again, for that matter?
When David Gilliland ended up with his car awkwardly parked atop another after a wreck Juan Pablo Montoya started, was that coincidence or karmic payback for last week’s outrage at Texas?
Brian France acknowledged one or more of the big three Detroit automakers might not be able to keep their commitments to NASCAR race teams next year. He said, however, NASCAR would be just fine because it’s transcendent. Sorry, Brian, but stock car racing could get along just fine without NASCAR as well. It’s the sport of stock car racing that is actually transcendent, even if its main showcase is being ruined by its founder’s descendant.
In a related note to the above, I am told that later this week at Homestead, at least one of the Big Three will announce they are leaving the sport. Let the bloodbath begin! Oh, and I’m also hearing a former employer of mine might not be back next year, either.
Well that explains a lot, I suppose. ESPN’s junior analyst Brad Daugherty admitted that he loves professional wrestling. No wonder he chose to get involved with the mechanized version of made for TV wrasslin’ that NASCAR has become over the past decade.
Based on the TV ratings, these late afternoon racing start times aren’t working. Then again this year, based on TV ratings, nothing is working.
It’s late in the year and everyone is tired and frustrated (yours truly included), especially those drivers and teams who haven’t run well and face uncertain futures as a result. But it does seem this year the laps down drivers are showing an exceptional amount of discourtesy to the lead lap drivers competing for the win. About halfway through the race, I decided Reed Sorenson in the No. 41 car was going to end up punted into the wall just as someone finally lost patience with him.
While it’s being denied, rumors were rampant at Phoenix that with DEI’s future in doubt, Martin Truex might take over the seat of the No. 20 car Tony Stewart is vacating, and Joey Logano might be given another season to mature in the Nationwide Series next year. Again, J.D. Gibbs denied that plan is even being discussed; but where’s there’s smoke, there’s fire. And if Logano isn’t the next Smoke, he could end up fired. Sweet.
Other weekend rumors indicate a potential merger between DEI and Chip Gannassi Racing is off the table after the principals were unable to decide which make of car to compete in. The apparent breakdown of the GM-Chrysler talks apparently caused the failure. Maybe they should announce ownership of DEI is the grand prize in next year’s edition of Donald Trump’s Apprentice program?
How bad are things at DEI? It appears that the No. 8 team’s crew chief, Tony Gibson, is leaving the team to become Ryan Newman’s crew chief at Stewart-Haas racing next year, and will bring along the entire pit crew of that 8 team wit him. It sort of sounds like people closest to the situation over at DEI are heading for the lifeboats, doesn’t it? Of course, the team Stewart now co-owns is brand new and heavily dependent on GM to keep it afloat, even as doubts surface indicating that GM is in dire financial trouble. When boarding a lifeboat, it behooves a cautious man to make sure the draincock is in place at the stern.
Someone needs to explain this one to me. Even the mighty Hendrick organization is not immune to the current economic crises, and after next weekend’s race about a dozen employees are going to be laid off. One of them is Stevie Reeves, the spotter who helped Johnson to last year’s championship and the same guy up on the roof helping Johnson try to claim this year’s title, as well. Ain’t that a fine, “How do you do?”
He’s got a lot of respect in the garage area, but Matt Kenseth acted like a damned punk when he purposely wrecked A.J. Allmendinger on the last lap, triggering an accident that tore up about ten cars.
For anyone with twelve million dollars laying around in their Paypal account, J.J Yeley is currently auctioning off sponsorship rights for his team on E-Bay. Desperate times call for desperate measures, I suppose.
It was bittersweet to see the Texaco / Havoline colors adorning a Cup car for the final time on Sunday after twenty plus years of sponsorship in NASCAR’s top league. It makes me consider all over again how different the sport and its record books might look if Davey Allison had decided to just jump in his pickup and drive to Talladega that fateful day in 1993. And in my jaundiced view, the original white and black Havoline Thunderbird with the gold and red stripes was the best looking race car ever.
Did I miss something, or has Richard Petty been notably silent on the release of his son Kyle from the team that shares both of their last names?
Was it just me, or did it seem that NASCAR official was notably unamused by Tony Stewart’s “practical joke” pouring that bottle of water down his back?
Is it possible we’ll see team orders to have the No. 6 or 26 car from Jack Roush’s stable take out Johnson early at Homestead to give Edwards a shot at the title?
The Hindenburg Award For Foul Fortune
You can’t help but feel bad for race fans in the east without cable that missed the end of the race when coverage got punted over to ESPN2.
Jeff Gordon was running fourth when his engine began its long process of expiring. The blown motor accounted for Gordon’s sixth DNF of the season.
Ryan Newman was running fifth when a cut tire destroyed his day.
As if DEI needed any more problems, Martin Truex, Jr. cooked an engine and finished dead last.
Tony Stewart didn’t have a dog in the fight when Allmendinger hit Kenseth or in Kenseth’s subsequent last lap payback, but he got caught up in both wrecks. It would appear Stewart’s storied tenure with Joe Gibbs Racing is going to end with a whimper, not a bang.
Casey Mears ran solidly in the Top 10 for most of the day, but got caught up in a late race wreck not of his own making.
The “Seven Come Fore Eleven” Award For Fine Fortune
During an early pit stop, Johnson’s No. 48 team discovered a deflating right rear tire.
Carl Edwards made a heads up move to avoid a pit road collision early in the race which could have ended his day. He also won the Saturday Nationwide race to keep his title chances in that series at least viable.
Kevin Harvick was on a roll this weekend, with Top 10 finishes in all three races and a win in the Craftsman Truck Series event on Friday. But then again, he’s looking for a sponsor to replace Camping World on rather short notice, too.
It was a pretty good weekend for Jamie McMurray, too, with a third place finish coming on the heels of news he’s now engaged.
Anyone still trying to adjust to this Daylight Savings Time thing had a perfect opportunity for a nap late Sunday afternoon.
Worth Noting
- Johnson has won the last three Phoenix races. His average finish in the nine Chase races run to date is about 4.5.
- Kurt Busch’s second place finish was his best since a win at Loudon earlier this year. He now has Top 10 finishes in three of the last five Cup races.
- Jamie McMurray (third) now has three straight Top 10 finishes for the first time since Bristol, Martinsville, and Texas last Spring.
- It’s not like he’s not pedaling as fast as he can. Edwards (fourth) has Top 5 finishes in seven of this year’s nine Chase races.
- Kyle Busch (eighth) now has three straight Cup Top 10 finishes.
- Jeff Burton (ninth) has Top 10 finishes in the last three Cup races.
- The Top 10 finishers at Phoenix drove four Chevys, three Fords, two Toyotas, and a Dodge.
- Regan Smith in 23rd was the top finishing Rookie of the Year candidate.
What’s the Points?
Johnson increased his points lead to 141 over Carl Edwards, meaning Johnson only needs to finish 36th or better to claim the title next week. Even if Johnson were to be a no show at Homestead, the other ten drivers in the Chase could not win the championship.
The biggest mover this week was Denny Hamlin, who rose three spots in the standings to ninth. Kevin Harvick advanced two spots to fifth, while Dale Earnhardt, Jr. moved up a single spot to tenth.
On the flip side, Tony Stewart tumbled three spots to twelfth in the standings, while Jeff Gordon fell two positions to seventh. There’s also just a 32 point gap between eighth place Matt Kenseth and twelfth place Tony Stewart, as five drivers compete to decide who had the most futile Chase run this season.
Meanwhile, David Ragan has clinched the 13th spot in the standings to claim the less than coveted “Best of the Rest” honors.
Overall Rating (On a scale of one to six beer cans, with one being a stinker and a six pack an instant classic) — We’ll give this one two cans of lukewarm stuff. Johnson handed it to the field and during long green flag runs, the cars got spaced out — but there was some decent racing back in the pack.
Next Up: With bruised ribs and broken rhythm, still bereft of Buicks but dressed just like dynamite, the lumbering ungainly monster that is the 2008 Cup season staggers towards Homestead, listing badly to port with smoke and fire bellowing from every orifice for the season finale.
Friday on the Frontstretch:
Four Burning Questions: All-Star Analysis and The New Kyle Busch
Has NASCAR’s All-Star Night Lost Its Shine?
Frontstretch Foto Funnies: Get Me A Bunny
Voices From the Cheap Seats: It’s Not Nice To Fool Mother NASCAR!
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