Tony Stewart led the most laps (five times for 288 circuits), then held off Jeff Gordon for a three lap sprint (after a late red flag) to take today’s DIRECTV 500 at Martinsville Speedway. In a caution filled race (we had 16 of ’em) Stewart grabs his second win at this half-miler, the 25th of his career (he’s tied for 22nd on the all-time win list with Jim Paschal & Joe Weatherly), and the 48th for Joe Gibbs Racing. The win was worth $220,786 from the over $5.4M in posted awards.
The Chevy domination was certainly a story today. The Top-5 spots and seven of the top eight were members of the bow-tie brigade.
Jeff Gordon (2nd) had his best finish since he was runner-up at Atlanta last October.
Scott Riggs (10th) had his best finish since he was runner-up at Michigan last August.
Sterling Marlin (14th) had his best finish since he was 13th at Kansas last October.
Tony Raines (21st) had his best finish since he was 13th at Homestead in November of 2003 (only 13 races).
Chad Chaffin (36th) had his career-best finish today. His previous best was 39th when we were here in October of 2004.
STREAKIN….Jimmie Johnson has 5 Top-10’s in the last 6 races.
Kyle Busch has 4 Top-10’s in the last 5 races.
The Rookie Report: Reed Sorenson (12th) is the top-finishing first year driver for the second time this season. He was followed by Martin Truex Jr (19th), J. J. Yeley (20th), Clint Bowyer (22nd), Denny Hamlin (37th), and David Stremme (38th). Sorenson & Hamlin have each topped this category twice this season….Brent Sherman was replaced by Jimmy Spencer for this event and that team was a dnq this weekend.
This Week’s Elevator….UP: Operator of the Week is Dale Earnhardt Jr (+25) followed by Clint Bowyer (+20). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Kasey Kahne (-30), followed by Greg Biffle (-21) and Ken Schrader (-21).
In that ever shifting battle to gain an exempt spot in the Top-35 in Owner Points, Sterling Marlin in now in and Bobby Labonte may have to rely on the Champions Provisional (if needed) next week. Jimmie Johnson regains the points lead today (he’s led five of the six weeks) as Matt Kenseth’s late race problem dropped him to third in the standings. Jamie McMurray (24th to 17th) made the best move forward today while Robby Gordon (20th to 27th) fell the same number of spots.(Stock Car Fans)(4-2-2006)
