Busch Gets Whacked; Edwards and Johnson Take the Lead; Biffle Wins Race and Moves Way Up
Race Results - Top 12
1. Greg Biffle, (16) Ford
2. Jimmie Johnson, (48) Chevy
3. Carl Edwards, (99) Ford
4. Jeff Burton, (31) Chevy
5. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., (88) Chevy
6. Kurt Busch, (2) Dodge
7. Martin Truex, Jr., (1) Chevy
8. Tony Stewart, (20) Toyota
9. Denny Hamlin, (11) Toyota
10. Kevin Harvick, (29) Chevy
11. Kasey Kahne, (9) Dodge
12. Clint Bowyer, (07) Chevy
Chase Standings
1. Carl Edwards (leader)
2. Jimmie Johnson (leader)
3. Greg Biffle (-30)
4. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (-50)
5. Jeff Burton (-50)
6. Denny Hamlin (-72)
7. Tony Stewart (-73)
8. Kyle Busch (-74)
9. Clint Bowyer (-83)
10. Kevin Harvick (-86)
11. Jeff Gordon (-99)
12. Matt Kenseth (-177)
For fans expecting a sigh of relief as the Sprint Cup season transitions into the final Chase, the Loudin race was an awakening. Early on, trouble developed quickly as a broken bolt messed up handling causing some mighty rough riding and whacks pushing him way back in the field. The other driver in the chase who by virtue of being in the third pack to begin with, his misfortune most likely finished his chance for the championship was Matt Kenseth who has a 177 points deficit to overcome. Likewise, Jeff Gordon's season of futility continues as a 14th place finish put him 99 points from the top.
The real beneficiary of the Sylvania 300 was Roush driver, Greg Biffle, who slid by Jimmie Johnson for the race's lead to win the race convincingly moving to 3rd place in the standings 30 points behind Edwards and Johnson. Dale Earnhardt Jr. held his ground in 4th with Jeff Burton surpassing him by one spot on the track tying them both at a comfortable 50 points back of the lead.
How Busch fell deep into the "also ran" category and Kenseth was blasted to rock bottom of the chase, their misfortunes show just how much a bad race can make a quick shambles of a driver's championship prospects. Eight of the top ten drivers were Chase contenders and given the way the field spreads out, the premium is on winning more than ever. Ask Greg Biffle about that!
There are no secret messages in the tea leaves as far as what one race into the chase means other than what has been documented above. All drivers are advised to jump for every opportunity to snag bonus points at every opportunity. Look what leading a lap did for Junior. First, it's premature to count Kyle Busch out of anything. He's a driver who can easily put together a string of wins and top three finishes which would make him well in a hurry. Greg Biffle's performance underscores the value of winning. If he grabs a couple more and avoids any notable stumbles, he'll be in the hunt in Homestead. If Earnhardt Jr. avoids the mistakes that frustrated him so much during much of the summer, he's there. Still, what's looking more and more evident, come December, there could certainly be another driver matching Cale Yarborough for winning three consecutive championships, Jimmie Johnson. Johnson was the most dominant driver for most of the race and the five bonus points for leading the most laps helped offset his second place finish.
The show moves on to Dover's high banked, concrete "Monster Mile," next weekend, a track that functions as a trash compactor for race cars and drivers' dreams. All the champion skill in the world cannot save a driver from others who aren't as focused. Deep in the pack, the mule chase continues for securing a 35th or better position for owner's points. It's at that level in the standings and on the track where many of the big crashes develop.
There's no secret to taming the Monster, but the chase contenders would be well advised to qualify high. Stay out in front, and stay away from lap traffic and others' dare devil stunts. As sure as a couple of the fellows in the lead will have much to cheer for next Sunday evening, there will also be haulers full of broken cars and steaming tempers heading back to Charlotte headquarters to prepare for racing in the cornfields of Kansas.
Phenom, Joey Logano, finished three laps down in 32nd place, a rather ho-hum but competent start -- still running, car intact.
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