Way to go, Gordo!
Guess I should have followed my original hunch and picked Jeff Gordon to win Martinsville. In getting the sweep of this year's races there -- his 7th victory there overall -- he did all the things that he could have and should have done the rest of the season that would have gotten him a spot in the Chase.
This was a fun race, despite its record 19 cautions, as short track races usually are. Most of my picks finished on the lead lap and I feel good about that.
GLENN’S TEN (6-for-10):
* Jimmie Johnson (winner) -- 3rd, Jimmie held his best stuff until the finish, but he never got to lead a lap and got passed by points leader Tony Stewart near the end of the race. Now trails Stewart by 15 points.
* Jeff Gordon -- 1st, Jeff had a winning sort of day, making slow but steady progress to the front from his 15th-place starting spot. The car never looked dominant, even when it finally got out front after staying out on a caution when everyone else came in to take tires. First win with new crew chief Steve Letarte. Fourth win of the season and 73rd overall, just three shy of Earnhardt Sr.
* Tony Stewart -- 2nd, From the pole, Tony led the most laps and appeared to have the car to beat all day -- until Gordon got the lead. He had a chance on the final restart with three laps to go, but he couldn't get underneath the #24 for the pass.
* Ryan Newman -- 10th, This is something like his 5th straight top 10 at this track. Keeps him third in the points.
* Rusty Wallace -- 19th, Rusty got screwed yet again in the final laps. He was running in the top 5 when he got booted from behind by Jeff Burton. It wasn't really Burton's fault, as Rusty inadvisably tried to go three wide in a spot where only two cars fit.
* Bobby Labonte -- 4th, Quietly had a good day. This is one of his best tracks, so that sort of figures.
* Kurt Busch -- 6th, Despite a one-lap penalty for rough driving after spinning out Michael Waltrip, Kurt worked his way back to a decent finish. But he loses more ground on Stewart, so I can't feel too bad.
* Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- 18th, Little E had a decent run going until he got caught up in a wreck. He stayed on the lead lap but wasn't able to get back up front.
* Greg Biffle -- 20th, A long day for The Biff. He got caught a lap down and then proceeded to interfere with the race leaders for several laps while trying to make it up. Tony Stewart after the race called biffle an "idiot. Now I know why Kevin Harvick wanted to kill him."
* Ricky Rudd -- 11th, Just got edged out of a top 10. He was running second, easily the only guy who could have challenged Stewart for the lead at that point, when he became the innocent victim in a wreck that put him deep in the field. The car wasn't as good after that, but he did manage a respectable finish.
REST OF THE TOP 10:
* Jeff Burton -- 5th, I came very close to picking him. Guess I should have taken him over Rusty Wallace.
* Jamie McMurray -- 7th, Should have known he would do well here. He's still vying for the 11th spot in the points.
* Denny Hamlin -- 8th, Another top 10 for the FedEd car and this hot young driver. Take note, this may be your rookie of the year in 2006.
* Kyle Busch -- 9th, And this will be your ROTY for 2005. Nice run.
OTHER NOTABLES:
* Matt Kenseth -- 12th, Still clinging to life in the Chase, but fading.
* Kyle Petty -- 14th, Got as far forward as 8th. Looked strong most of the day, which is becoming less rare.
* Carl Edwards -- 26th, Average to awful day for the Roush drivers.
* Jeremy Mayfield -- 28th, Stick a fork in it, Jeremy. Your Chase is about over.
* Mark Martin -- 34th, Ditto.
Next week: We get to see how Atlanta Motor Speedway has recovered from tornado damage suffered over the summer.
ALSO WATCHING: Denny Hamlin (Qualified 5th in the FedEx car. This kid’s proving himself for next season, and he loves this track.)... Carl Edwards (Got stopped for speeding on his way to the Busch race Saturday. At least he wasn’t flagged for driving too slow in the fast lane!)... Matt Kenseth (Starts a Kenseth-like 25th. Could sneak his way in.)... Mark Martin (Will starting in a backup car at the rear of the field be a hindrance to Victory Lane? My guess: yes.)
