It was another wreckfest today at Talladega Superspeedway, and in a race decided somewhere around turn 3 (we think) Dale Jarrett was declared the winner of the UAW-Ford 505. In a finish under caution, DJ gets his 32nd career win and his first since he won at Rockingham (where’zat) in February of 2003. The 1999 Cup Champion is 19th on the all-time win list, and win #57 for Robert Yates Racing was worth $239,833 from the over $5.3M in posted awards. Jarrett is the 14th different winner of the season. Last year we had 13 of ’em and 17 different drivers won in 2003.
A note to Michael Waltrip…..when your rear end and drive shaft pass you on the track, it’s not gonna be a good day!
A note to Mark Martin…..evidently, you’re under the mistaken impression that somehow we as fans have some power. If we had any power, the “plate” and the “Chase” would be a complete unknown in our sport. The only power we have is _knowing_ where the power really rests!
Sterling Marlin (7th) had his best finish since he was 5th at Texas in April.
Bobby Labonte (11th) had his best finish since he was 8th at Pocono in July.
Dave Blaney (15th) had his best finish since he was 8th at Atlanta in March.
Bobby Hamilton Jr (20th) had his best finish since he was 11th at Las Vegas in March. (Not bad for a guy who couldn’t qualify on Friday, huh?)
Tony Raines (22nd) had his best finish since he was 13th at Homestead in November of 2003!
STREAKIN….Tony Stewart has 14 Top-10’s in the last 15 races.
Matt Kenseth has 6 Top-10’s in the last 7 races.
This Week’s Elevator….UP: Operator of the Week is Kevin Harvick (+32), followed by Brian Vickers (+21) and Tony Raines (+21). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Elliott Sadler (-33), followed by Scott Riggs (-29), Jeff Gordon (-25), Jimmie Johnson (-22), Kyle Busch (-20), and Dale Earnhardt Jr (-20). Sadler is now tied with Ryan Newman with three B/D’s this season.
J.J. Yeley led a lap today for the first time in his Cup career. He’s the 49th different driver to lead a lap this season….last year we had 50.
In the Owners Points battle for the 35th and final exempt spot, Mike Wallace and the #4 team have closed to just three points behind Yeley & the #11 bunch. As important as that may be for the rest of the season, it’ll carry even more weight for year-end and the Daytona 500 of ’06.
Tony Stewart regains the “Chase” lead by four markers over Ryan Newman. The Top-6 are now separated by an even hundred points….last week that margin was 23.
In “Classic” points, Kevin Harvick has claimed that 11th spot they all covet so much by 14 points over Jamie McMurray. Last week’s leader for the 10th loser (Elliott Sadler) has fallen to 13th.
Sterling Marlin (29th to 27th) made the only multi-position advance this week (in the Top-40), while Elliott Sadler (11th to 13th) and Jeff Gordon (14th to 16th) were the only drivers to fall more than one spot.(Stock Car Fans)(10-2-2005)
