We had a good old-fashioned Texas Shootout today for the final 20 laps or so, and Jeff Burton prevailed over Matt Kenseth to take the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Burton passed Kenseth in turn two on the final lap (the only one he led today, btw) and held on for his first win of the season and 19th of his Nextel Cup career. He’s now tied for 32nd on the all-time win list with Davey Allison, Buddy Baker, and Fonty Flock. Burton is the fifth different winner this season, the first repeater at TMS, and this was win #85 for RCR. He also gets a tidy $526,766 from the over $7.2M in posted awards. Jamie McMurray (5th) had his best finish since he was 3rd at Watkins Glen last August. Martin Truex Jr (7th) had his best finish since he was runner-up at Homestead last November. David Stremme (10th) had his career-best finish today. He’d been 11th three times….at Daytona in February, at Homestead last November, and at Loudon last July. Tony Raines (13th) had his best finish since he was 7th at Lowe’s last October. Paul Menard (15th) had his best finish since he was 14th at Lowes last May. Dave Blaney (21st) had his best finish since he was 18th at Atlanta last October. STREAKIN….Mark Martin has 5 Top-10’s in a row. Jeff Burton has 6 Top-10’s in the last 7 races. Jeff Gordon has 6 Top-10’s in the last 7 races. Matt Kenseth has 5 Top-10’s in the last 6 races. This Week’s Elevator….UP: Operator of the Week is Paul Menard (+27), followed by Brian Vickers (+22). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Jimmie Johnson (-35), followed by Kyle Busch (-32), J. J. Yeley (-25), Dale Earnhardt Jr (-24), and David Ragan (-20). A couple of firsters at both ends of the “Shaft” this week. No changes in the Top-35 Owner Points this week, but it’s getting a little tighter. 35th to 40th is now separated by only 65 points. Jeff Gordon retains the points lead, but Jeff Burton shaved 20 markers from it….it’s now down to just 8 points. Mark Martin and David Stremme move above the “Stayin’ Alive” line while Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. drop back. Martin Truex Jr (24th to 19th) made the best move forward today, while teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr (11th to 18th) lost the most spots.(Stock Car Fans)(4-15-2007)
