Qualifying
This week the top five starters were all Chevrolet drivers. Jeff Gordon put his Hendrick Motorsports Chevy on the pole. Richard Childress Racing's Kevin Harvick started along side in second. Brian Vickers and Dale Earnhardt Jr. made up row two. Finally, Joe Nemechek had a great qualifying run as Nemechek rounded out the top five starters.
Drop The Green Flag
Jeff Gordon jumped out the early lead when the race got underway. However that lead was shortlived as Kevin Harvick flexed his muscle and moved around Gordon for the lead on lap 4. Kevin Harvick went on to completely dominate the early going.
Storylines
Point leader Jimmie Johnson started deep in the field. Johnson took the green flag in 29th. That starting spot put Matt Kenseth back into the point lead temporarily. Jimmie Johnson stormed through the field and cracked the top five just 55 laps into the race.
Starting deep in the pack like that can be dangerous because you can get caught up in someone else's mistake very easily. Fortunately, this race had a very safe start and Johnson got himself clear of the pack quickly.
The Chasers in general all had good days leaving the point battle intact for next weekend's season finale in Homestead. Chasers finished in nine of the top eleven positions. Only Kyle Busch landed a bad finish as he was caught up in someone else's wreck and suffered an other terrible Chase finish.
Chasing The Checkers
Mark Martin gambled and took only two tires under caution to take over the lead with just 55 laps to go. Mark was able to hold off the faster drivers for a while but with 30 to go Kevin Harvick got past Mark and set sail for the checkers.
There was some drama as this race saw a number of late cautions which put second place Jimmie Johnson up on Harvick's bumper. The final restart came with just three laps to go but Harvick was able to hold off Johnson's challenge and take the win.
Top Ten
- Kevin Harvick
- Jimmie Johnson
- Denny Hamlin
- Jeff Gordon
- Carl Edwards
- Mark Martin
- Kasey Kahne
- Kurt Busch
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Jeff Burton
The Points
Jimmie Johnson landed his fifth straight top-two finish. Johnson extended his point lead with yet another great finish. Johnson is doing exactly what he needs to do to protect his point lead. Drivers can not cut into his point lead if he keeps finishing up front.
All drivers in the top five still have a mathematical shot at the title. Jimmie Johnson will clinch the Championship next week with a twelfth place finish or better in Homestead.
The top ten in points are now:
- Jimmie Johnson -0
- Matt Kenseth -63
- Kevin Harvick -90
- Denny Hamlin -90
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. -115
- Jeff Gordon -167
- Jeff Burton -225
- Mark Martin -273
- Kasey Kahne -319
- Kyle Busch -359
Next Week
Only Homestead remains in the 2006 season. Will Jimmie Johnson finally win his first Championship? Next Sunday is Ford Championship Weekend and the 2006 NEXTEL Cup Champion will finally be crowned.
