NASCAR - Atlanta

Night Racing is awesome... All races should be night racing, night time just adds so much more excitement. Let's face it stock car racing was born and raised on Saturday nights. Denny Hamlin had a very dominate car all race. Martin Truex Jr. hated seeing that last caution in which Jamie McMurray hit the wall cutting down a tire and at the same time erasing the lead Truex had over second place. Coming out of the pits in second and spinning his tires on the restart of the Green, white, checkered,  Truex posted a 4th place finish.

Congratulations Denny Hamlin!!! Second win in as many weeks, putting you at the top of the heap when starting the Chase in two weeks, the only two drivers that can take that coveted position from you with a win next week at Richmond would be Jimmie Johnson or Brad Keslowski.
Plenty of racing and passing this race. Long green flag runs at the beginning took a lot of cars off the lead lap, down to 10 cars at one point in the race but with 3 cautions within in 28 laps 22 cars finished on the lead lap.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Denny Hamlin - started 7 - up 1 position to 7th
2. Jeff Gordon - started 5 - up 1 position to 13th
3. Brad Keslowski - started 21 - up 1 position to 6th
4. Martin Truex Jr. - started 28 - remains in 5th
5. Kevin Harvick - started 24 - remains in 9th
6. Kyle Busch - started 3 - up 1 position to 12th
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - started 35 - up 1 position to 2nd
8. Paul Menard - started 18 - up 2 positions to 15th
9. Matt Kenseth - started 4 - up 1 position to 3rd
10. Mark Martin - started 6th - up 2 positions to 26th

Race for the Chase:
1. (5) Greg Biffle - finished 15th
2. (6)Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 7th - up 1 position
3. (7)Matt Kenseth - finished 9th - up 1 position
4. (2)Jimmie Johnson - finished 34th - down 2 positions
5. (9)Martin Truex Jr. - finished 4th
6. (3)Brad Keslowski  - finished 3rd - up 1 position
7. (1)Denny Hamlin - WINNER - up 1 position
8. (8)Clint Bowyer - finished 27th - down 2 position
9. (10)Kevin Harvick - finished 5th
10. (4)Tony Stewart - finished 22nd
11. Kasey Kahne - finished 23rd
12. Kyle Busch - finished 6th - up 1 position

The number in ( ) is where they will start the Chase
With just Richmond left before the Chase the top 9 have secured a position in the chase on points. Tony Stewart has a position in the Chase but must finished 13th or better in Richmond to have a top ten position instead of a Wild Card.
Jeff Gordon, 13th, Marcos Ambrose, 16th, Ryan Newman, 17th and Joey Lagano 18th will be running for the win next week in Richmond anything less will not put them in the Chase. Jeff Gordon the only driver with the outside chance of finishing far enough of Kyle Busch to take over the 12th position..
GOING TO BE AN EXCITING RACE NEXT WEEK. Lots going to be happening all night...

Next Race - Richmond International Speedway - Federated Auto Parts 400 - Saturday, September 8, 2012 - 7pm

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take Care
Barbara