Chase Race #1 - Chicagoland

Chase Race #1 - Chicagoland - Lots of green flag racing, but not a lot of racing. Jimmie Johnson was the dominate car for most of the race. Brad Keslowski was the only car that had anything near Johnson's. The last run, Keslowski seemed to have found something, winning by a comfortable margin. A couple of the chase guys had some problems. Jeff Gordon's throttle stuck sending him into the wall, leaving him a 35th finishing position. Matt Kenseth broke a shock off his left front, finishing 18th and Denny Hamlin ran out of gas on the last lap, finishing 16th. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had to start 42nd after an engine change, he had a fast car at the beginnning of the race, pushing him into the 10 ten, the last part the race his car was just average, finishing 8th, his race for the championship is just a race away.

Congratulations Brad Keslowski!!! Strong car all day. Winning the first race of Chase and becoming the Points Leader for the first time in your career. You and your pit crew were right on today, giving you the positions you needed coming off the pits, and your driving like you stole it, put you in the coveted position all 11 other Chase drivers wanted. With 9 more races still to go and 7 of the Chase drivers finishing in the top 10, one bad race could ruin it all. The next couple of race will tell, with Jeff Gordon being 47 points in the hole after his disappointing finish. Kasey Kahne on the other hand moved up the ladder more than any driver today, 6 position putting him 5th in the Chase just 15 points behind. Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin were the big losers, all 3 losing 3 positions in the points.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Brad Keslowski - started 13 - up 3 position to Leader
2. Jimmie Johnson - started 1 - remains in 2nd
3. Kasey Kahne - started 6 - up 6 positions to 5th
4. Kyle Busch - started 21 - remains in 13th
5. Ryan Newman - started 20 - up 2 positions to 14th
6. Tony Stewart - started 29 - remains in 3rd
7. Joey Lagano - started 10 - remains in 18th
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 4 (43) - remains in 7th
9. Martin Truex Jr. - started 18 - up 1 position to 9th
10. Clint Bowyer - started 9 - remains in 6th

Championship Chase 2012
1. Brad Keslowski - WINNER
2. Jimmie Johnson - finished 2nd
3. Tony Stewart - finished 6th
4. Denny Hamlin - finished 16th - down 3 positions
5. Kasey Kahne - finished 3rd - up 6 positions
6. Clint Bowyer - finished 10th
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 8th
8. Greg Biffle - finished 13th - down 3 positions
9. Martin Truex Jr - finished 9th - up 1 position
10. Kevin Harvick - finished 12th - down 1 position
11. Matt Kenseth - finished 18th - down 3 positions
12. Jeff Gordon - finished 35th

Kyle Busch remains in 13th positions for the racing between the other drivers. Ryan Newman is the closest to him still 41 points behind him. Carl Edwards in 15th 42 points behind.

Seeing this is the first year with this points system on the side bar of this block, you will see where I am keeping up with the points WITHOUT  the Chase, and how the championship would turn out without a chase. Will be interesting... Hope you keep reading.

Chase Race #2 - New Hampshire International Speedway - Sylvania 400 -Sunday - September 23, 2012 - 1pm est.

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take Care
Barbara