We had a green/white/checker finish today at Talladega Superspeedway….and we didn’t make it a mile into the final five before it was over. Jeff Gordon won the Aaron’s 510 today under caution to give him his second win of the season, his 5th at Talladega, and the 77th of his Nextel Cup career (he’s now solo in 6th on the all-time win list). This was the 155th win for Hendrick Motorsports and the third time they’ve gone 1/2 this season (Jimmie Johnson was second, btw). The victory was worth $355,511 from the $6M in posted awards. Well, we were treated to another contemptible display of trash throwing today. Kinda makes you wish we had more trash talking instead….sure would be a shame to see higher fences to keep the fans out. What’s next? Are we gonna look like some of these soccer games in foreign lands where we see regular army with live weapons and german shepherds patrolling the side lines? Save those for the media center! We lost six cars to engine woes today…..four in the first 38 laps! Kurt Busch (3rd) had his best finish since he was 3rd here last October. David Gilliland (4th) had his career-best finish today. His previous best was 8th at Daytona in February. David Stremme (8th) had his career-best finish today. His previous best was 10th at Texas earlier this month. Kasey Kahne (12th) had his best finish since he was 7th at Daytona in February. Sterling Marlin (16th) had his best finish since he was 11th at Lowe’s last October. Kyle Petty (18th) had his best finish since he was 11th at Texas last October. Jeremy Mayfield (23rd) had his best finish since he was 22nd at Infineon last June. Regan Smith (24th) had his career-best finish today. His previous best was 25th at Bristol last month. STREAKIN….Jeff Gordon has 8 Top-10’s in the last 9 races. Jamie McMurray has 4 Top-10’s in the last 5 races. This Week’s Elevator….UP: Operator of the Week is Kevin Harvick (+35), followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr (+29), Martin Truex Jr (+27), Elliott Sadler (+24), Kurt Busch (+23), Jeff Green (+21), and Jamie McMurray (+20). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Casey Mears (-32), followed by Ricky Rudd (-28 ), Kyle Busch (-24), Carl Edwards (-24), Paul Menard (-24), Ward Burton (-21), and Joe Nemechek (-20). This is Op #3 for Harvick….but you sure know where you are when you see the “Shaft” this crowded. We had 8 drivers lead a lap today for the first time this season. Jamie McMurray, David Stremme, Jeff Green, David Ragan, Regan Smith, Kenny Wallace, Boris Said, and Casey Mears. In the case of Ragan and Smith, it’s the first laps they’ve led in their Cup careers. Jamie McMurray (12th to 7th) made the best move forward today, while the absent Mark Martin (10th to 17th) fell the most spots. In that race to stay in the Top-35 in Owner Points, nobody moved above the Mendoza line…..but the #10 of Scott Riggs is the new 36th place team and they’re now just 7 points behind Casey Mears.(Stock Car Fans.com)(4-29-2007)
