Controvery reigns and Jeff Gordon’s in Victory Lane! Pick your story….Matt Kenseth slowed down, Kenseth got loose, Gordon slammed Kenseth. In any event, Kenseth went for a ride on lap 164 today at Chicagoland Speedway and Jeff Gordon won the USG Sheetrock 405 for his second win of the season, second in three weeks, and the 75th of his NEXTEL Cup career….inching him closer to Dale Earnhardt on the all-time win list. His next victory will bring him into a tie with The Intimidator at 6th on the lifetime list. Win #145 for Hendrick Motorsports was worth $327,761 from the over $6M in posted awards. There are gonna be more than a couple upset drivers today….that little three laps of overtime meant a few cars couldn’t make the end on fuel. Kenseth sure went from the penthouse to the junk heap in a couple laps….
Jeff Burton (2nd) had his best finish since he was runner-up at Bristol last August.
Clint Bowyer (9th) had his best finish since he was 5th at Phoenix in April.
J. J. Yeley (10th) had his best finish since he was 8th at California in February.
Dave Blaney (17th) had his best finish since he was 17th at Martinsville in April.
STREAKIN….Kurt Busch has 5 Top-10’s in a row. Jimmie Johnson has 7 Top-10’s in the last 8 races.
This Week’s Elevator….UP: Operator of the Week is Clint Bowyer (+29), followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr (+20). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Ryan Newman (-24), followed by Kasey Kahne (-20). A very slow day in the Shaft.
Jeff Gordon rides his win into the Top-10 (that all-important “Chase” position). Jimmie Johnson’s lead over Matt Kenseth is now at 51 markers. Jeff Burton (7th to 4th), Reed Sorenson (24th to 21st), and Dave Blaney (33rd to 30th) all made the best move forward today. Dale Jarrett (21st to 24th) fell three spots.(Stock Car Fans)(7-9-2006)
