This time is was Kyle Busch, getting by Greg Biffle and leading the final 38 laps today at Phoenix International Raceway to capture the Checker Auto Parts 500 for his second win of the season/career. Win #140 for Hendrick Motorsports (and the 10th of 2005) moves Busch into a tie for 92nd on the all-time win list and was worth $199,225 from the over $4.8M in posted awards.
Robby Gordon (8th) had his best finish since he was runner-up at Watkins Glen in August.
Travis Kvapil (10th) had his best finish since he was 7th at Bristol in April.
Kenny Wallace (16th) had his best finish since he was 16th at Martinsville in October of 2003 (only 13 races).
Mike Skinner (37th) had his best finish since he was 29th at the Brickyard in August (only 4 races).
STREAKIN….Carl Edwards has 7 Top-10’s in the last 8 races.
Tony Stewart has 6 Top-10’s in the last 7 races.
Jimmie Johnson has 5 Top-10’s in the last 6 races.
This Week’s Elevator….UP: Operator of the Week is a lonely Travis Kvapil (+20). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Bobby Hamilton Jr (-28 ), followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr (-21) and Brian Vickers (-20).
As we head to the final round of the “Chase” we’ve got some interesting scenarios at hand. Tony Stewart lengthened his margin over Jimmie Johnson to 52 markers today, and his “Magic Number” is 9th. If Tony finishes in that position (and Jimmie Johnson won and led the most laps….maxed out on points at 190) then they’d be in a flat-footed tie. They’d both have 5 wins, and Tony would get the Championship with the second tie-breaker….he’s have six runner-up finishes compared to two for Jimmie. The “Magic Number” is similar with Greg Biffle….if it were 25th and Biffle maxed out then Biffle would win the tie-breaker by virtue of a 6-5 margin in wins. Hence, the “Magic Number” is 24. Mark Martin will be eliminated when Tony throws the switch.
In “Classic” Points, no driver in the Top-40 advanced more than one spot. On the negative side, Kurt Busch (7th to 9th) and Dale Earnhardt Jr (18th to 20th) were the only multi-position movers.(Stock Car Fans)(11-13-2005)
