Qualifying
Roush-Fenway Racing drivers Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle swept the front row in qualifying. The second row was claimed by a couple of surprises in Chevrolets as Regan Smith and Paul Menard started third and fourth.
Roush-Fenway Racing put a third driver in the top five with David Ragan rolling off fifth.
Drop Of The Green
Carl Edwards got a massive jump on the green flag annd pullled away to lead lap one by three carlengths. The leaders quickly settled down with Edwards leading the first 18 laps over Paul Menard and Jimmie Johnson.
Menard moved into the top spot on lap 19 and continued to rule the rest of the early going.
Storylines
Bristol Motor Speedway has a new monarch. Kyle Busch is the undisputed King of Bristol. Kyle won four of the last five Cup series races on the fast half-mile and, if you include the Camping World Truck series and the Nationwide Series, Kyle has won the last five races in-a-row at Bristol. (2 Cup, 2 Nationwide, 1 Truck)
Chasing The Checkers
The three best cars were at the front at the end. Kyle Busch was in the lead when the final green flag flew with 38 laps to go. Carl Edwards restarted second and Jimmie Johnson was third.
Carl was able to keep the heat on for a few laps but Kyle Busch was able to pull away steadily and claim the win.
Top Ten
- Kyle Busch
- Carl Edwards
- Jimmie Johnson
- Matt Kenseth
- Paul Menard
- Kevin Harvick
- Kurt Busch
- Greg Biffle
- Kasey Kahne
- Ryan Newman
The Points
Kurt Busch was tied for the point lead coming into Bristol but he leaves with sole posession of the top spot. Tony Stewart falls from the lead to a tie for third with Carl Edwards in between the two in second.
The Unofficial 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings:
- Kurt Busch
- Carl Edwards -1
- Tony Stewart -12
- Ryan Newman -12
- Paul Menard -14
- Kyle Busch -17
- Jimmie Johnson -20
- Juan Pablo Montoya -24
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. -26
- Martin Truex Jr. -27
- Mark Martin -27
