NASCAR - Martinsville

Martinsville - Short track racing is always fun to watch. Who is going to "tap" who is the name of the game. There was plenty of that going around today. No one really pissed anyone off, just hard racing. Jimmie Johnson was strong all day long. He was the dominate factor of the race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. started the race strong and seemed to be Johnson's biggest competitor, coming through the pack up into the top 5, but after being banged up, they just couldn't get the car right, rendering him to a 24th place finishing dropping 2 positions in the points. This was the first race Dale Jr. finished out of the top ten. Mark Martin took over the 11 car for Denny Hamlin this race, finishing in 10th today. Brian Vickers will take over the 11 car next week.   Danica Patrick posted a 12th place finish her first time on the Martinsville track. Going down a lap after Joe Nemechek spun her out, she made her was back on the lead lap and even though she a couple more run ins she held her own.

Congratulations Jimmie Johnson!!! Eighth win at Martinsville seems you just might have this track mastered. Dominating the race, taking the pole, leading 346 laps and winning. Being a Dale Jr. I have one question for you... You couldn't just let Dale Jr. go instead of going by him after he cut a tire and spun out, The rest of the field was courteous even to let him go, except you putting him down 2 laps instead... He is your teammate, or does that not mean anything to you, after he pushed you to 2 wins on super speedway tracks.
Top Ten Recap:
1. Jimmie Johnson - started 1 - up 2 positions to Leader
2. Clint Bowyer - started 15 - up 6 positions to 8th
3. Jeff Gordon - started 6 - up 6 positions to 12th
4. Kasey Kahne - started 5 - up 2 positions to 5th
5. Kyle Busch - started 11 - up 2 positions to 4th
6. Brad Keslowski - started 7 - remains in 2nd
7. Jamie McMurray - started 13 - up 3 positions to 13
8. Marcos Ambrose - started 2 - up 3 positions to 20th
9. Greg Biffle - started 22 - down 1 position to 6th
10. Mark Martin - started 35 - up 4 positions to 21st

Race for the Chase:
1. Jimmie Johnson - WINNER - up 2 positions
2. Brad Keslowski - finished 6th
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 24th - down 2 positions
4. Kyle Busch - finished 5th - up 2 positions
5. Kasey Kahne - finished 4th - up 2 positions
6. Greg Biffle - finished 9th - down 1 position
7. Carl Edwards - finished 15th - down 3 positions
8. Clint Bowyer - finished 2nd - up 6 positions
9. Paul Menard - finished 19th - down 1 position
10. Matt Kenseth - finished 14th - up 1 position
11. Joey Lagano - finished 23rd - down 2 positions
12. Jeff Gordon - finished 3rd - up 6 positions

Clint Bowyer and Jeff Gordon were the biggest movers up - both up 6 positions to 8th and 12th respectfully. Kurt Busch lost the most positions, 6 also after a fire under his hood ended his race with just 13 laps left giving him a 37th place finish. 22 cars finished on the lead lap...with only 8 cars actually off the track

Next race: Texas Motor Speedway - NRA 500 - Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 7:30pm est Night Racing Yeah!!!

Have a Wonderful Week
Take Care
Barbara

NASCAR - Race Chase #7 - Martinsville

Martinsville Speedway the 7th race in the chase. I was actually there watching the race today and am just getting home. I will recap it all for you tomorrow. I have listed my weekly list of winners and who is where in the points. Thank you for reading.

Had a good time at the race yesterday in Martinsville, right up to the last lap, when Jimmie Johnson won the race LOL... Seats were at the start/finish line, 2 rows up and only about 15 feet, yes 15 feet off the track, up close a personal and my favorite place to sit. The closer I am to the track the better, I love the smells, the wind, the sounds and the rubber off the tires literally flying at you. My son bought me the tickets for my birthday. The only down fall was because of the haulers in the infield we could not see the backstretch, but there was a big TV right in front of us, so we didn't miss much and there is nothing like watching the cars come down the front stretch straight at you and then watching them dive into turn 1 as they disappear out of sight. NASCAR racing is the best.
Congratulations Jimmie Johnson!!! started first, finished first. Dominate car all day. Very pushy all day long, nearly putting out three different cars. Putting you in the lead for the Chase at the moment, but watch your back because Brad Keslowski is very, very hungry for a Championship. Every Chase driver changed positions this week, with the exception of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and they thought Talladega was going to change up things. Martinsville proved to be a dilemma for 5 of the Chase drivers, Denny Hamlin, finishing in 33rd, had issues with his car, stopping in the middle of the track right at the start/finish, luckily everyone drove around him. Kevin Harvick, finishing 32nd, (as Darrell Waltrip would say ) blowed up. Tony Stewart, finishing 27th,  just couldn't get the car to handle the way he wanted. Martin Truex Jr., finishing 23rd,  never recovered from a pit road penalty and Dale Earnhardt Jr., finishing 21st, after a late race spin.

Top Ten Recap:
1. Jimmie Johnson - started on pole - up 1 position to Leader
2. Kyle Busch - started 3 - remains in 13th
3. Kasey Kahne - started 15 - up 1 position to 4th
4. Aric Almirola - started 10 - remains in 21st
5.Clint Bowyer - started 8 - up 1 position to 3rd
6. Brad Keslowski - started 32 - down 1 position to 2nd
7. Jeff Gordon - started 11 - up 2 positions to 6th
8. Brian Vickers - started 2 - up 1 position to 35th
9. Bobby Labonte - started 17 - remains in 24th/
10. Greg Biffle - started 30 - up 2 position in 9th

Race for the Championship:
1. Jimmie Johnson - WINNER - up 1 position
2. Brad Keslowski - finished 6th - down 1 position
3. Clint Bowyer - finished 5th - up 1 position
4. Kasey Kahne - finished 3rd - up 1 position
5. Denny Hamlin - finished 33rd - down 2 positions
6. Jeff Gordon - finished 7th - up 2 positions
7. Martin Truex, Jr. - finished 23rd - down 1 position
8. Matt Kenseth - finished 14th - up 1 position
9. Greg Biffle - finished 10th - up 2 positions
10. Tony Stewart - finished 27th - down 3 positions
11. Kevin Harvick - finished 32nd - down 1 position
12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - finished 21st -

Next Race - Texas Motor Speedway - AAA Texas 500 - Sunday, November 4, 2012, 2pm.

Have a Wonderful Week!!!
Take Care
Barbara