Qualifying
Elliott Sadler claimed the pole as Jeremy Mayfield put his Dodge on the outside of the front row. Points leader Jimmie Johnson's car failed pre-qualifying inspection and was forced to start in the back. Passing is very difficult on the flat rectangle this deficit proved too much to overcome and Johnson's qualifying problem translated into a terrible finish.
Drop The Green Flag
When the green flag flew Elliott Sadler set sail steadily stretching his lead as Jeremy Mayfield settled in to run second for the early going. Jimmie Johnson was working his way through the field and was inside the top 30 in just 15 laps.
Brian Vickers also spent time in the lead for a big chunk of the middle portion of the race.
Storylines
Once again tires were a factor in the race. Goodyear is doing its best job when you don't hear about them. So far in 2005 Goodyear has often been one of the top stories of the week. I don't know what the problem is, but Goodyear officials need to seriously re-evaluate the tires that they are bringing to the track.
Today was also important to the points, not so much for who had a good day but for who didn't. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has removed the last bit of hope that he had to make the Chase when he wrecked on a restart.
Point leader Jimmie Johnson also crashed early in the race but somehow managed to avoid hitting anything. Johnson once again had to climb back from deep in the pack. Johnson's bad luck wasn't over yet as he cut a tire with just 15 laps to go, this time he really hurt the car and himself in what he called the hardest hit of his career. Johnson finished 38th and was treated and released after being airlifted to Methodist hospital.
Chasing The Checkers
Tony Stewart got around Vickers on lap 100 and clearly had the car to beat. Then Ryan Newman got by Tony shortly after a late restart and looked like he might be able to steal the victory.
With just 11 laps to go Tony got back around Ryan on the restart after Jimmie Johnson's incident and checked out for the fairly easy win.
Top Ten
- Tony Stewart
- Kasey Kahne
- Brian Vickers
- Jeremy Mayfield
- Matt Kenseth
- Casey Mears
- Mark Martin
- Jeff Gordon
- Sterling Marlin
- Kyle Busch
The Points
Jimmie Johnson's troubles cost him the top spot as Tony Stewart took over the point lead. At the back of the top ten pole sitter Elliott Sadler's bad day dropped him back from 9th to 12th as Carl Edwards made his way into the top ten.
- Tony Stewart -0
- Jimmie Johnson -75
- Greg Biffle -111
- Rusty Wallace -218
- Kurt Busch -277
- Mark Martin -287
- Ryan Newman -355
- Jeremy Mayfield -369
- Dale Jarrett -430
- Carl Edwards -436
Next Week
Next Sunday the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers have the second and final road racing test of the season. Watkins Glen International is a winding road course in New York State that is sure to test the drivers skills and patience. Usually a fun event to watch and a very important race for those struggling to crack the top ten and the all-important race for the NEXTEL Cup.
