Martin Truex Jr made it back-to-back firsters today at Dover International Speedway as he took the rain-delayed Autism Speaks 400 present by Visa in a romp. Martin pretty much dominated the race (leading 216 circuits) and went on to a convincing 7.355 second victory. He becomes the 8th different winner this season, the 174th different driver to win a NASCAR top-division race, and he’s tied for 115th on the all-time win list. Win #24 for DEI was worth $295,045 from the over $5.7M in posted awards. And, he’s the first non-Hendrick Motorsports driver to win a COT event! I guess it’s only fitting that we lost Bill France Jr during a race. We are where we are in this sport because of that man, and tho he passed the torch a couple years ago, we can only hope the new generation of leadership remembers what Bill Jr knew to be true….it’s the racing! Both he and his father before him knew it all came down to putting the fans in the seats, and our series today is a testament to that fact. Bill Jr took us up to the big leagues and we feel his loss today. Bill France Jr dead at the age of 74. Ryan Newman (2nd) had his best finish since he was runner-up at Infineon Raceway last June. Carl Edwards (3rd) had his best finish since he was runner-up here last September. Robby Gordon (10th) had his best finish since he was 10th at Atlanta last October. We’ve now had 36 drivers score a Top-10 this season….last year that number was 38. Kasey Kahne (11th) had his best finish since he was 7th at Daytona in Febraury. David Ragan (14th) had his best finish since he was 5th in the 500 in February. Michael Waltrip (28th) had his best finish since he was 14th at Talladega last October (only seven races). STREAKIN….Jeff Gordon has 8 Top-10’s in the last 9 races. Denny Hamlin has 7 Top-10’s in the last 8 races. Ryan Newman has 4 Top-10’s in the last 5 races. Gonna be interesting to see if Kurt Busch’s little escapade on Pit Road gets him any additional penalties (besides getting parked today). NASCAR’s been comin’ down on drivers for antics like that, especially in the pit lane. With the spread from 11th to 13th only 12 markers, point deductions at this time could make or break your year. This Week’s Elevator…UP: Operator of the Week is Casey Mears (+28 ), followed by Martin Truex Jr (+25), Denny Hamlin (+25), Robby Gordon (+23), and Sterling Marlin (+21). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Kurt Busch (-30), followed by Ward Burton (-28 ), Bill Elliott (-21), and Dale Earnhardt Jr (-20). Johnny Sauter led a lap today for the first time since he led one lap at Texas Motor Speedway in April of 2004. He’s the 42nd driver to lead a lap this year….last season we had 48 different leaders. No change in the Top-35 in Owner Points after today. The #10 car of Scott Riggs is still in 36th….now 70 points behind the #70 of Johnny Sauter. Four Drivers in the Top-30 (Martin Truex Jr, Sterling Marlin, Kasey Kahne, and Robby Gordon) advanced three spots today, while J. J. Yeley (15th to 19th) and Kyle Petty (26th to 30th) fell four spots.(Stock Car Fans)(6-4-2007)
