Lowe's once again Johnsonville
Well, I said it was time for Jimmie Johnson to have a breakthrough race and he did just that Saturday evening at Lowe's Motor Speedway. While everyone else was battling tire issues, Jimmie overcame his own series of troubles to hold off Kurt Busch in a green-white-checkered shootout.
This race was marred by tire problems. Seemed like about every 20 laps someone else was smacking the wall, including the leader on at least two occasions. Despite the fact that some of my picks were caught up in the evening's disasters I still managed to have a decent night.
GLENN'S TEN (6-for-10... plus the winner!):
* Jimmie Johnson (winner) -- Winner! Let's not forget that the #48 had to start at the back of the pack because of engine work following qualifying. He also suffered a punctured tire -- under caution -- and crunched his front left fender after making contact with Ricky Rudd late in the race. That and the two-lap shootout at the finish could easily have sunk this team, but when you've won three straight at a track you consider your home, it gives you added incentive. Now you can make it four straight wins and five of the past six -- and a tie for the points lead.
REST OF THE TOP 10 (in no particular order):
* Ryan Newman -- 7th, Ryan overcame his early-laps flat tire and used two-tire pit strategy to get up to the front. Still managed to lose two spots in the points standings, but now he is just 17 points back, thanks to...
* Tony Stewart -- 25th, A hugely disappointing night for a driver who quite possibly could have won. Stewart was leading mid-race when the back end of the car came around and he smacked the wall. It looked as though he might lose a bundle more points than he did, but he limped the car to the finish and capitalized on high attrition to remain tied for the points lead.
* Kyle Busch -- 39th, This was looking like a great pick until he crashed just after grabbing the lead. Flat right-side tire.
* Carl Edwards -- 10th, Didn't hear much from Carl all night. Then he quietly made his way into the top 10 and stayed there.
* Greg Biffle -- 3rd, Told you he wouldn't stay in the back long. One of the three best cars on the track much of the night.
* Mark Martin -- 5th, These picks almost make me look like a genius. Well, Mark did his job anyway by finishing in the top 5 as predicted. He's right back in the hunt for the championship.
Rusty Wallace -- 24th, Shouldn't have been this low. He had a top 15 going until he wrecked going three-wide late in the race. The car wasn't severely damaged, but his chances for a good night were. Speeding on pit road during a stop for tires didn't help.
* Kurt Busch -- 2nd, Ack, phooey! Only thing worse than seeing Busch get a good finish is having to listen to him explain it. I always cringe when the NBC reporters corner Kurt with their microphones.
* Matt Kenseth -- 26th, Tore up the fender with a flat tire, wound up 10 laps down.
REST OF THE TOP 10:
* Joe Nemechek -- 4th, Only Joe's mom thought he had a legit chance at winning. Good finish nonetheless.
* Casey Mears -- 6th, Just can't seem to get over the the top-5 hump. Must be that ugly pink breast cancer awareness paint scheme.
* Denny Hamlin -- 8th, Who? Don't worry, you'll have time to get to know him better next season if this performance is any indicator. One of the rotating FedEx team drivers, Denny succeeded in getting what I believe is the #11's first top 10 of the year -- and in just his second start.
* Ricky Rudd -- 9th, Got to lead a few laps late in the race. Still doesn't have the winning equipment, but Fatback's crewing has made the Iron Man competitive again.
OTHER NOTABLES:
* Kyle Petty -- 15th, Man, Kyle's starting to make a habit of this.
* Elliott Sadler -- 27th, led the most laps from the pole. Didn't lead the last one.
* Jamie McMurray -- 29th, I almost picked him. Now I'm glad I didn't. Got tied up with Michael Waltrip.
* Michael Waltrip -- 30th, A terrible shame that Mikey crashed out after leading for a bit. This looked like he might be headed for at least a top 5 if not his first win at a non-restrictor track.
* Jeff Gordon -- 38th, King of Bad Luck finds it again, scraping the wall early in the race and being retired well before he should have been.
Next week: A track where Jeff Gordon can win if the car doesn't crap out early... Martinsville.
