Grading the top 12 after Richmond

This Article Is Sponsored By:
www.MotorCityAutoParts.com
dale earnhardt jr - dale earnhardt - jimmie johnson - jeff gordon - kyle busch
Here's our weekly grading of the top 12 drivers in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series points standings. All race and performance references are from Saturday's Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. Standings reflect reset points for the 12 drivers in the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup.

1. Jimmie Johnson, A, 5,060. Johnson sent an emphatic message to the Chase field with his second win in a row.

2. Jeff Gordon, A, 5,040. Gordon led the most laps, 191, and finished fourth. He was the only driver to turn all 400 laps in the top five. Now, for the first time since the fourth race of the season, Gordon no longer is No. 1.

3. Tony Stewart, A, 5,030. Stewart finished second for his seventh top 10 (fifth top five) in eight races since the Debacle at Daytona.

4. Carl Edwards, D, 5,020. Edwards was running in first when his engine expired on Lap 182. It was his second DNF of the season, both for engine problems. He finished 42nd.

5. Kurt Busch, A, 5,020. Even with a smashed-up rear bumper, Busch finished ninth. The wreck wasn't his fault, and he drove a smart race all night to qualify for the Chase.

6. Denny Hamlin, A, 5,010. Hamlin is killing me on these grades. He finished sixth and made a terrific save after making contact with Clint Bowyer. But ... when Hamlin was handed a water bottle while pitting during a caution on Lap 235, his arm hit the switch on the steering wheel that shuts off the engine. He dropped from the top five to 23rd on the restart. That should be an automatic F under rules instituted earlier this season, but I'm feeling very generous today. Must be the weather.

7. Martin Truex Jr., B, 5,010. Truex started 40th and finished 15th. He never was higher than 10th.

8. Matt Kenseth, C, 5,010. Stop the presses: The No. 17 pit crew made a mistake. On the No. 17's final pit stop on Lap 337 during a caution, the crew failed to tighten all the lug nuts and Kenseth had to return to the pits on the next lap (still under caution). He entered the pits ninth and restarted 26th. He finished 14th.

9. Kyle Busch, C, 5,010. Busch qualified third and finished a disappointing 20th. Busch began sliding back through the field early, and Team 5 made numerous adjustments in the pits but could not hit on the right setup.

10. Jeff Burton, C, 5,010. Burton fought rear grip and handling issues and finished 18th after starting 11th.

11. Kevin Harvick, A, 5,010. Despite thousands of Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans cheering on his overheating engine during the first of the night's two red flag periods, Harvick persevered and finished seventh. He was the last driver to qualify for the Chase, and his most harrowing moment came when he missed a multicar incident on Lap 243. But his evasive actions took him through the grass, which collected in his grille and caused his water temperatures to spike. The eight-minute break allowed the engine to cool on the No. 29, and the crew cleaned off the grille during the caution.

12. Clint Bowyer, B, 5,000. Bowyer didn't get his much-desired first win, but he did provide a lot of excitement when he raced Hamlin hard for the lead before spinning out on Lap 201. He recovered to finish 12th.

This Article Is Sponsored By:
www.MotorCityOil.com
nascar news - tony stewart - nextel cup - kurt busch - kevin harvick
For More Information About This Article Please Email:
Trevor@MotorCityAutoParts.com

Article Number: 000111