And then there were three
...No, not three races left in the Chase, but rather three contenders for the Nextel Cup. Tony Stewart and Jimmy Johnson we all sort of expect, but how about Carl Edwards? Back to back wins and another couple of good Roush tracks coming up. Could we be watching an upset in the making?
I fast-forwarded through most of the Texas race, watching just the final 26 laps in their uninterrupted entirety. What a thrilling finish to make up for the rest of this thing. I'm sorry, but even under the lights Texas doesn't impress me that much. It's still just another mile-an-a-half oval.
GLENN'S TEN: (5 for 10... A couple of bogus choices burned me.)
* Ryan Newman (winner) -- 25th, Not my most bogus pick, but certainly not a good one. Ryan's backup car wasn't nearly as good as his pole qualifier, and he spent all day mired in the 20s. He got lapped and had trouble making it up. Finally got in front of the leader with a few laps left to finish last on the lead lap. Title hopes? Toast.
* Jeff Gordon -- 14th, Some guys just seem to have tracks where they don't run well, and Texas is definitely one of Gordo's. The car was mediocre most of the race and it was only because other guys had more problems that he managed to finish this well.
* Matt Kenseth -- 3rd, Yes, a great day for Matt. Still has an outside shot at the championship. Needs Stewart and Johnson to have major stumbles.
* Greg Biffle -- 20th, Wow. Biffle had a miserable day, with a loose wheel that forced him into the pits early, a wild spin on the track, another spin near the pits, and some body damage suffered from contact with other cars. Through it all he still managed to finish mid-pack, but he loses a bundle of points.
* Jimmie Johnson -- 5th, Top 5, baby! Gains a whopping 5 points on Stewart. But as we've seen, every little bit counts.
* Mark Martin -- 2nd, Mark was supposed to have the car to beat Sunday. His decision to stay out on the final pit stop with 10 to go seemed a race-winning decision. But fresh tires for those who came in made the difference.
* Carl Edwards -- 1st, Watch out! This kid's getting hot at the right time. His fourth win of the season leaves him within striking distance of Johnson and Stewart. He took two tires on the final stop to restart sixth, and he blew by the competition with a little more than a lap to go. By far his best backflip. He'll get more practice soon, I suspect. 10th different winner at this track.
* Kasey Kahne -- 42nd, Easily the most bogus of my bogus pick. The engine went south and sent him to the garage. Always seems to be something for the Evernham cars.
* Ricky Rudd -- 13th, Could never quite get into the top 10.
* Elliott Sadler -- 9th, Just made it into the top 10. Never a factor in the race, so I feel good to at least have picked him correctly.
REST OF THE TOP 10:
* Casey Mears -- 4th, Is there another contract negotiation coming up? Casey's been running a bit better recently. Let's see.. can we say Reed Sorenson? Ties Casey's best career finish.
* Tony Stewart -- 6th, I underestimated Tony at this track. He roared to the front and was up there much of the day. Got some fender damage late in the race while dueling for position with Mark Martin, and the car wasn't quite as good after that. I think Johnson caught him on the final lap. Still leads the points by 38.
* Denny Hamlin -- 7th, Get used to seeing this kid's name. All these late-season "test sessions" will surely pay off if he makes the Chase next year.
* Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- 8th place finish for the #8 car.
* Kurt Busch -- 10th, Another driver I underestimated. Wish I'd picked him instead of Kahne.
OTHER NOTABLES:
* Mike Skinner -- 43rd, At least he didn't wreck anybody this week, just the car when the rear-end broke.
Next week: We're running out of opportunities for the guys chasing the top 3. More under-the-lights action from Phoenix.
