All News Dale Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt Jr. Geoff Bodine Greg Biffle Jeff Green Jeremy Mayfield Jimmie Johnson John Andretti Kurt Busch Mark Martin Michael Waltrip Scott Riggs

StockCarFans.com – Rumblings – Pocono:

June 13, 2004 at 12:00 AM
  • Jimmie Johnson led early, led often (eight times for 126 laps), and led the final 28 circuits to take his first Pocono win, his third of the season, and the 9th of his Cup career (he’s now tied for 48th on the all-time win list). It was the 9th victory for Hendrick Motorsports at Pocono Raceway, their 5th of the season, and the 122nd in their history. Johnson cashed $186,950 from the over $4.7M in posted awards. With the exception of the way the race was run from the tower, it was the usual Pocono….tough on motors and tough on transmissions. Throw in a few more than the usual lug-nut troubles as well and it all added up to a weird day.
    Jeremy Mayfield (2nd) had his best finish since he was runner-up at Atlanta in March.
    Kurt Busch (5th) had his best finish since he won at Bristol in March.
    Greg Biffle (11th) had his best finish since he was 8th at Atlanta in March.
    Jeff Green (15th) had his best finish since he was 7th at Texas in the #30 car in April of 2003! This was the best finish for the #43 car since John Andretti was 8th at California in April of 2003!
    Geoffrey Bodine (28th) had his best finish since he was 10th at Daytona in July of 2002. (only 9 races)
    STREAKIN….Jimmie Johnson has 7 Top-10’s in the last 8 races.
    Dale Earnhardt Jr has 7 Top-10’s in the last 8 races.
    This Week’s Elevator….UP: Operator of the week is Scott Riggs (+24), followed by Kurt Busch (+22). DOWN: The Big Dropper was a lonely Mark Martin (-32). A slim category this week….
    P. J. Jones led today for the first time in his Cup career (only his 13th start). He’s the 40th different driver to lead a lap this season….last year’s number was 48.
    No changes in the Top-10 after this week (points-wise). Those are the only drivers currently eligible for the “Chase” at the moment, and it’s beginning to look like there will be only 10 in the post-season. In the race of consequence, Jeremy Mayfield is now only two markers out of the last transfer spot. Mayfield made the best move forward (15th to 11th) this week, while Michael Waltrip (20th to 24th) made the commensurate move in the opposite direction.(StockCarFans.Com Nextelcup Newsletter)(6-13-2004)