Jimmie Johnson Takes Las Vegas With Pit Strategy

The 2010 Shelby American at Las Vegas Motor Speedway saw Jeff Gordon dominate. Gordon lead most of the way as drivers spent more time battling the slick track surface than each other. At the end this one was decided by pit strategy as Jimmie Johnson's four tires proved quicker than Jeff Gordon's two tires and Johnson took the checkers over Kevin Harvick while Gordon settled for third.

Qualifying

Las Vegas native Kurt Busch was fastest in qualifying and put his Dodge on the pole for the 2010 Shelby American. Jeff Gordon started along side in second.

Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt Jr. made up row number two. Kyle, the other Busch brother and defending race winner from 2009 rounded out the top five.

Drop Of The Green

Polesitter Kurt Busch picked the outside of row one for the start and beat Jeff Gordon off of turn two to lead down the backstretch. Jeff Gordon got under Busch in turn four and completed the pass to lead lap one.

An early caution reset the front row with Jeff Gordon choosing the outside lane for the lap six restart. Gordon, Kurt Busch and hard-charging Kyle Busch settled into the top three single-file spots.

The track was hot and slick putting the race in the drivers' hands and putting a premium on handling. Patience ruled the early going as teams were looking to click off laps and get a feel for their cars.

Storylines

Most of the 2010 Shelby American at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was a story of domination. Jeff Gordon lead 216 of the 267 laps race. Most of that time he had no challenger in sight.

The first 230 laps or so were a good time to catch a nap and rest up for the finish. Jeff Gordon wouldn't get all the way to the checkers unchallenged.

Chasing The Checkers

A late race caution set up some pit strategy With 34 laps to go. Clint Bowyer stayed out and took over the lead for the late race restart. Jeff Gordon restarted second with two fresh tires and Jimmie Johnson in third had four.

Bowyer quickly got shuffled back. This left the race to the two Hendrick Motorsports teammates. Jeff Gordon still held the lead but Johnson was hot on his heels.

With sixteen laps to go Jimmie Johnson was finally able to take advantage of the two extra tires. He got under Jeff Gordon and made the car stick for the lead.

Jimmie Johnson stretched out his lead sa four tires proved to be the right decision instead of Gordon's two. Gordon lost another spot before the end as Kevin Harvick passed him for second.

Top Ten

1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Mark Martin
5. Matt Kenseth
6. Joey Logano
7. Tony Stewart
8. Clint Bowyer
9. Kasey Kahne
10. Greg Biffle

The Points

Kevin Harvick's second place effort allowed him to stretch his point lead over Clint Bowyer. At the back end of the top twelve Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch both moved into a Chase qualifying spot replacing Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray and today's polesitter Kurt Busch.

The top twelve are now:

1. Kevin Harvick
2. Clint Bowyer -47
3. Mark Martin -49
4. Matt Kenseth -58
5. Jimmie Johnson -63
6. Greg Biffle -63
7. Jeff Burton -76
8. Joey Logano -93
9. David Reutimann -109
10. Carl Edwards -117
11. Tony Stewart -120
12. Kyle Busch -131