We had an early melee (a 13 car job on Lap 10), green flag pit stop mishaps (missing lugs…..catch can making laps), 56 lead changes and 22 different leaders. That can only mean one thing…..we’re at Talladega Superspeedway. Jimmie Johnson survived a wild 9-lap shootout to the finish today (one day late) to take the Aaron’s 499 over Tony Stewart. The lead only changed hands 5 times in that last green flag run….but don’t think it calmed down any. It was your typical wild plate race with four and five wide most of the day (and these guys just haven’t figured out that don’t work too often).
JJ’s win was his third of the season (he’s taken both plate events) and the 21st of his NEXTEL Cup career (he’s now tied for 27th on the all-time win list with Benny Parsons, Jack Smith, and Bobby Labonte). Win #143 for Hendrick Motorsports was worth $326,061 from the over $5.9M in posted awards.
Brian Vickers (3rd) had his best finish since he was 3rd at California last September.
Jeff Burton (4th) had his best finish since he was runner-up at Bristol last August.
Jamie McMurray (5th) had his best finish since he was runner-up at Daytona last July.
Robby Gordon (10th) had his best finish since he was 8th at Phoenix last November. Robby’s Top-10 gives us 30 drivers at that mark this season…. last year we had 43 of ’em.
Jeremy Mayfield (13th) had his best finish since he was 10th at Homestead last November.
Jeff Green (14th) had his best finish since he was 11th at Lowe’s last May.
Travis Kvapil (19th) had his best finish since he was 10th at Phoenix last November.
Chad Chaffin (30th) had his career-best finish today. His previous best was 36th at Martinsville last month.
STREAKIN….Tony Stewart has 5 Top-5’s in the last 6 races.
Matt Kenseth has 4 Top-10’s in the last 5 races.
This Week’s Elevator….UP: Operator of the week (for the second time this season) was Jeff Burton (+36), followed by Brian Vickers (+30), Jeff Green (+25), Scott Riggs (+23), Jeremy Mayfield (+23), and Scott Wimmer (+22). DOWN: The Big Dropper (for the third time this season….and that tells you how his year has gone) was Greg Biffle (-31), followed by Sterling Marlin (-28 ), Mark Martin (-25), Clint Bowyer (-25), and Joe Nemechek (-21). It was a typical Talladega day in the “Shaft” as well.
We had five drivers lead a lap today for the first time this season (with 22 different leaders today that was real unexpected, huh?). Robby Gordon led for the first time since he led one lap at New Hampshire last September, Jeremy Mayfield led for the first time since he led one lap at Lowe’s last October, Casey Mears led for the first time since he led twice for 75 laps at Homestead last November, Scott Wimmer led for the first time since he led once for 15 circuits at Phoenix last November, and Joe Nemechek led for the first time since he led once for two laps at Homestead last November. That gives us 38 different leaders this season….last year we had 51 different drivers to lead a lap.
Jimmie Johnson regains the points lead as the “Stayin’ Alive” line moves all the way up to 12th! They can talk all they want about the close points race, but last year at this time we had 18 drivers still above the mark of insignificance…. Three drivers moved forward four spots today (Brian Vickers, J. J. Yeley, and Scott Riggs) while Clint Bowyer & Kenny Schrader both fell six spots.(Stock Car Fans)(5-1-2006)
