NASCAR - Kentucky

NASCAR - Kentucky... Some overall good racing at Kentucky today... Love Saturday night racing but the rains forced the race to be on a Sunday afternoon. Long green flag runs made for some good pit strategy. Matt Kenseths crew chief, Jason Ratliff, may a gutsy call of fuel only leaving Matt to race on 4 old tires. Using a little restart strategy to keep his car out front proved to be the moves of the day. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole for the race, setting a new qualifying record at Kentucky, but ran into trouble when the skin of Denny Hamlins tire roiled up in front of him causing damage to the left front side and splitter of his car, which took most to the race to correct, rendering him a 12th place finish. Jimmie Johnson led the most laps today, but on the next to the last restart just couldn't get going and spun out, having a fast car, he made his way back up into the top ten, finishing 9th. Brad Keslowski was tapped by Kurt Busch early in the race as Busch came back up the track from the apron, causing him to crash, taking Greg Biffle and 5 other drivers with in. Having a 33rd place finish, dropped the defending champion 4 position, down to 13th.

Congratulations Matt Kenseth!!! Good pit strategy, Great race!!! Your restart strategy to keep Jimmie Johnson at bay was excellent. I believe the drivers have found Jimmie's Achilles heal. Restarting in 2nd place is not Johnsons strong point. The leader know matter who it was seemed to love the clean air. Even on old tires, once Matt got out front on the restarts he pulled away. Jamie McMurray had a strong car at the end of the race today also and needed just a couple more laps to give Matt a run for the win. This win gives Matt 4 wins so far this season, leading Johnson by 1 win now.
Top Ten Recap:
1. Matt Kenseth - started 16 - remains in 5th
2. Jamie McMurray - started 23 - up 2 positions to 19th
3. Clint Bowyer - started 15- remains in 3rd
4. Joey Lagano - started 11 - up 4 positions to 10th
5. Kyle Busch - started 4 - up 1 position to 7th
6. Kurt Busch - started 27 - up 3 positions to 14th
7. Martin Truex Jr. - started 19 - up 2 positions to 8th
8. Jeff Gordon - started 12 - up 1 position to 12th
9. Jimmie Johnson - started 3 - remains in 1st
10. Kevin Harvick - started 22 - remains in 4th

Race for the Chase:
1. Jimmie Johnson - finished 9th
2. Carl Edwards - finished 21st
3. Clint Bowyer - finished 3rd
4. Kevin Harvick - finished 10th
5. Matt Kenseth - WINNER
6. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 12th - up 1 position
7. Kyle Busch - finished 5th - up 1 position
8. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 7th - up 2 positions
9. Greg Biffle - finished 34th - down 3 positions
10. Joey Lagano - finished 4th - up 4 positions
11. Kasey Kahne - finished 11th
12. Jeff Gordon - finished 8th - up 1 position

Tony Stewart with a 20th finish dropped 1 position to 16th, but with a win he will take over the second wild card position.

Next race - Daytona - Coke Zero 400 - Saturday, July 6, 2013 - 7:30 pm est.

Have a Wonderful Week
Take Care
Barbara