NASCAR - Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen proved to be a pretty good race. Brad Keslowski certainly added to the excitement during this race. Driving as hard as he could, at times it looked like he was "drifting" his car around the corners. Showing no fear, being the young driver he is, he and Marcos Ambrose, a veteran road course racer,  drove that last lap, daring each other to drive just a little harder to slip up, Brad was the first to make that slip and Ambrose drove by and never looked back.
Tony Stewart was the strongest car out there today. Proving that there really is more than a couple of places to pass on the course. After serving a plenty putting him back in 20's he passed his way back to the top ten in about 15 laps...He ran up in 2nd until he spun out, backing into the entrance of pit road and rendering him to a 19th place finish.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. fell out of the points lead after spinning out on oil on the track and flat spotting his tires, forcing him to pit with just 5 laps left in the race and finishing 28th.

Congratulations Marcos Ambrose!!! Awesome ending to a great last lap on a road course. Or to quote Kenny Wallace "An epic ending to a road course race". Will probably not see an ending like that on a road course for a very long time. Both you and Brad ran hard that last lap, Brad made the first mistake and you grabbed hold of the lead.  Giving you the opportunity to make the Chase. Another win in the next four races is a priority to grab a spot.
Top Ten Recap:
1. Marcos Ambrose - started 5 - up 1 position to 17th
2. Brad Keslowski - started 4 - up 2 positions to 5th
3. Jimmie Johnson - started 3 - up 3 positions to 1st
4. Clint Bowyer - started 8 - up 3 positions 7th
5. Sam Hornish Jr. - started 17 - remains in 59th
6. Greg Biffle - started 15 - up 1 position to 2nd
7. Kyle Busch - started 2 - up 1 position to 14th
8. Matt Kenseth - started 24 - down 1 position to 3rd
9. Regan Smith - started 13 - up 1 position to 23rd
10. Martin Truex Jr. - started 9 - down 1 position to 6th

Race for the Chase
1. Jimmie Johnson - finished 3rd - up 3 positions
2. Greg Biffle - finished 6th - up 1 position
3. Matt Kenseth - finished 8th - down 1 position
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 28th - down 3 positions
5. Brad Keslowski - finished 2nd - up 2 positions
6. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 10th - down 1 position
7. Clint Bowyer - finished 4th - up 3 positions
8. Tony Stewart - finished 19th - down 3 positions
9. Kevin Harvick - finished 15th
10. Denny Hamlin - finished 34th - down 2 positions
11. Kasey Kahne - finished 13th
12. Carl Edwards - finished 14th

Ryan Newman has taken over the 13th position putting him in the 2nd wild card spot (12th position)
Carl Edwards is searching for that ever eluding win, or he will not make this years chase.
Denny Hamlin is sitting on the bubble after another bad finish. With 2 wins he might be safe if he drops further down, but there are 4 other contenders beside Ryan Newman, waiting for that second win. Kyle Busch in 14th just 12 points out of 12th, Jeff Gordon in 15th just 16 points away, Marcos Ambrose in 17th, 50 points back and Joey Lagano in 18th, 63 points out. One more win for any of these 5 puts them in. The next 4 races should be exciting ones with so many contending to get into the Chase.

Next Race - Michigan International Speedway - Pure Michigan 400 - Sunday, August 19, 2012, 12 pm. est.

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take Care
Barbara