NASCAR Chase Race #4 - Talladega

NASCAR Chase Race #4 - Talladega what can you say. Talladega never disappoints. Racing at its, sitting on the edge of your seat and nail biting best. I love Tallageda it is not short of drama. The big one didn't come until the last lap and what a big one it was. Tony Steward took the blame for it coming down to block the #55 Michael Waltrip and not having enough room, causing a multi-car pile up, taking out many of the Chase contenders. I do not understand how NASCAR is deciding who finished where when the big one happened. How did Jimmie Johnson finish 4 positions ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. when Jr. drove Jimmie to pit road. I hope they explain it some where and if someone out there knows where to find that I would be appreciate the link to the website. The drivers avoided the big one even though a few cars got loose and spun around, they didn't collect up anyone. The green, white, checker proved to be the beginning of the big one, with the drivers racing 4 wide all the way around the check after they took the green and still 4 wide when they took the white, it was inevitable that the big one would happen. The Chase Contenders involved were Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer and Kasey Kahne.

Congratulations Matt Kenseth!!! Making through a few squirrely incidents and saving your car twice to come home with the win, being up front when it counted in front of the wreck. Still an up hill climb to win the Championship, but winning is the way to do it.  Restrictor plate racing seems to be agreeing with you this year, winning at both Daytona and now Talladega.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Matt Kenseth - started 15 - remains in 12th
2. Jeff Gordon - started 6 - up 4 positions to 6th
3. Kyle Busch - started 13 - remains in 13th
4. David Ragan - started 25 - up 2 positions to 27th
5. Greg Biffle - started 5 - up 2 positions to 9th
6. Regan Smith - started 28 - remains in 23rd
7. Brad Keslowski - started 22 - remains in 1st
8. Travis Kvapil - started 36 - remains in 30th
9. Ryan Newman - started 2 - up 1 position to 14th
10 Jeff Burton - started 26 - remains in 19th

Race for Championship
1. Brad Keslowski - finished 7th
2. Jimmie Johnson - finished 17th
3. Denny Hamlin - finished 11th
4. Kasey Kahne - finished 13th - up 2 positions
5. Clint Bowyer - finished 23rd - down 1 position
6. Jeff Gordon - finished 2nd - up 4 positions
7. Tony Stewart - finished 22nd - down 2 positions
8. Martin Truex Jr. - finished 12th
9. Greg Biffle - finished 5th - up 2 positions
10. Kevin Harvick - finished 14th - down 1 position
11. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 21st - down 4 positions
12. Matt Kenseth - WINNER

Lot of change ups in the Chase - Dale Jr. dropping 4 positions with teammate Jeff Gordon gaining 4 positions - how quickly things happen. In contention one week and almost out of it the next.
I took my results off the NASCAR website right after the race, so if they happen to be wrong I will check tomorrow to make sure they haven't changed their minds where everyone finished.

Next Race - Charlotte Motor Speedway - Bank of America 500 - Saturday October 13, 2012 - 7pm
Any other year I would be there but this year my youngest son is getting married to a wonderful girl that day at 4pm and I couldn't talk them into getting married at the track LOL, so I will have to watch the race on TV that night.
Best wishes Joe and Amanda - love you

Have a Wonderful Week All!!!
Take Care
\Barbara