Kevin Harvick dominated most of the race but wasn't able to pull out the win. He left the door open for Dale Earnhardt Jr. who had what it took at the end to hold off the challengers and take the win.
Qualifying
Roush Racing swept the front row during Richmond qualifying. Greg Biffle averaged 127.395 MPH around the 3/4 mile D-shaped oval to take the pole. His teammate Mark Martin started beside him on the outside of the front row. Casey Mears rolled off third in his Chip Ganassi Dodge. Hendrick Motorsports teammates Brian Vickers and Jimmie Johnson rounded out the top five.
Drop The Green Flag
Greg Biffle and Mark Martin got in line quickly going into turn one as the two Roush teammates worked well together. Each driver lead in order to get those valuable five points for leading.
The race was off to a bit of a slow start as there were five cautions in the first 100 laps. Kevin Harvick was the class of the field during this early part of the race.
Storylines
Drivers at the top of the points had a lot of troubles tonight. Point leader Jimmie Johnson just couldn't get it going for most of the race but salvaged a decent finish. Jimmie finished twelfth.
Second place Matt Kenseth broke a brake rotor that damaged his oil tank. Fourth place Kasey Kahne thought he had an engine problem early and lost five laps. Finally Sixth place Jeff Gordon lost the engine and finished 41st.
Chasing The Checkers
Kevin Harvick had dominated most of the race but a questionable strategy call relegated him to third on the final restart. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin lead them to the final green flag with just eight to go.
Denny Hamlin haunted Dale Jr. all the way to the checkers but Junior just had too much. Hamlin could get to him, but not past. Dale Jr. took the win as the top three didn't change over the final eight laps.
Top Ten
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Denny Hamlin
- Kevin Harvick
- Greg Biffle
- Kyle Busch
- Tony Stewart
- Carl Edwards
- Ryan Newman
- Sterling Marlin
- Clint Bowyer
The Points
Jimmie Johnson rebounded from his bad start and maintained his point lead. Ever other spot in the top ten changed.
The top ten in points are now:
- Jimmie Johnson -0
- Tony Stewart -55
- Matt Kenseth -94
- Mark Martin -176
- Kevin Harvick -208
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. -216
- Kasey Kahne -247
- Kyle Busch -284
- Jeff Gordon -305
- Casey Mears -353
Next Week
Next week Darlington hosts another Saturday night shootout as NASCAR traditionally avoids racing on Mother's Day. Darlington is a tough old lady and tire management will be key to having a good night.
