That banking can’t come soon enough…. We had a race that went 270 laps today….and the only two laps that were worth watching were the two we weren’t supposed to see. Jimmie Johnson got by Matt Kenseth on the outside of turn 4 on the final lap today to win the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 405 by an eyelash…..leading all of about 50 yards of the race! The win was the second of the season for Johnson and the 20th of his NEXTEL Cup career. He’s now tied for 30th on the all-time win list with Speedy Thompson. Win #142 for Hendrick Motorsports was also their 3rd at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the second in a row for Johnson here. Matt Kenseth dominated most of the day leading five times for 146 laps, but came up short at the end.
Joe Nemechek (13th) had his best finish since he was 4th at Lowe’s last October.
STREAKIN….Jimmie Johnson has 5 Top-10’s in the last 6 races. Casey Mears has 5 Top-10’s in the last 6 races.
The Rookie Report: Three races in and three different Rookies in the top-spot. Today it was Denny Hamlin (10th), followed by Clint Bowyer (15th), J. J. Yeley (17th), Martin Truex Jr (20th), David Stremme (33rd), Brent Sherman (34th), and Reed Sorenson (40th).
This Week’s Elevator…UP: Operator of the Week is Casey Mears (+29) followed by Robby Gordon (+20). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Ryan Newman (-32). About as much action in the “Shaft” this week as there was on the track.
Three races into the season and we’ve had 23 different drivers lead a lap…..last year we had 27 in the first three events.
Every position in the Top-10 in points changed hands….except the leader. Jimmie Johnson retains the points lead (he’s been there from the start) while Matt Kenseth moves into second.
The best move forward today came from Greg Biffle (38th to 25th)….Ryan Newman went 11 spots in the opposite direction (7th to 18th).(Stockcarfans.com)(3-12-2006)
