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September 05, 2005
Kyle Busch gets his first win and race for the Chase tightens up
Kyle Busch became the youngest driver to win NASCAR Cup race with his win on Sunday night. Busch had a strong car, the only ones that could challenge him were Kenseth and Edwards at times. Kenseth's car was real strong at the end but had a hard time passing Brian Vickers, then the caution came out setting up a green-white-checkered finish, where Busch just pulled away on the restart.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s very slim chance of making the Chase went up in smoke, literally, on lap 211. He had been complaining about the car and it's performance all race long. When asked about how he felt about being out of the Chase with the engine blowup, he said his chance at making the championship had been over with for at least 80 laps. It was obvious is was very frustrated with how his car ran.
Matt Kenseth vaulted two more spots in the standings, up to 9th and Jamie McMurray also jumped two spots to 10th. Both Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon, with sub-par performances, fell two spots and out of the top ten by the end of the race.
Next week, they go to Richmond, where is appears there will be five drivers fighting for the last two spots for the Chase. This is how it looks going into next weeks race in Richmond.
- (9th) Matt Kenseth 2939
- (10th) Jamie McMurray 2929
- (11th) Ryan Newman 2928
- (12th) Jeff Gordon 2899
- (13th) Elliott Sadler 2877
As you can see, it's fairly close and any of those drivers could put themselves in the Chase depending on how they do at Richmond. One thing for sure is that there will be a race within a race next week, the regular race and then the race between these five guy. This should make Richmond even more interesting than it usually is.
September 5, 2005 in NASCAR | Permalink
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Kyle Busch became the youngest driver to win NASCAR Cup race with his win on Sunday night. Busch had a strong car, the only ones that could challenge him were Kenseth and Edwards at times. Kenseth's car was real strong at the end but had a hard time ... [Read More]
Tracked on Sep 5, 2005 11:10:08 PM
Comments
When I said my two favorite drivers are again well out of the chase, I didn't mean that I don't care about any others or what happens in the chase. I'd love to see Martin win it all. (I bet if you asked the other 9 chasers, "If you don't win the Cup, who would you like to see win it?" the answer would be Mark Martin, unanimously. OK, they'd all vote for their teammates, but ...) Why we like particular drivers is really subjective - maybe an ad we saw, a piece on TV, a post-race interview. Performance may or may not have anything to do with it. I'm not a huge Gordon fan, but admire him and his team immensly. I admire every one of those guys.
But maybe it's time for me to pick a new favorite who wins every so often!
Posted by: Doug | Sep 9, 2005 2:50:46 PM
I don't think anyone should rethink their choice of favorites based on performance, Buddy, but I do agree that, when your favorites are out of contention, either for a given race or the Championship its much for fun to choose a contender to cheer for in addition to your normal root for roster.
Posted by: MBVoelker | Sep 9, 2005 12:29:40 PM
Maybe it's time to re-think your favorite drivers. I used to be a Bill Elliot fanatic, but through the years he's become an also-ran. It happens to all drivers unless they should die in their prime. There are enough interesting stories in the chase that I hope you find at least one of those drivers compelling enough to make you cheer. Personally, I want to see either Mark or Rusty retire with the Cup in their hands... one great victory for the geezer squad (I'm not saying how old I am).
Posted by: Buddynoel | Sep 8, 2005 4:22:51 PM
My two favorite drivers are, once again, well out of the chase, so I am now thinking how ironic it would be if Waltrip finished ahead of Junior at the end of the year.
Posted by: Doug | Sep 8, 2005 1:36:33 PM
Jay - I've got my fingers crossed!!! I was at the race last year when Mayfield won - it was crazy! The people I was sitting near were Mayfield fans and they went nuts! Hopefully I'll get to do the same this year, LOL :)
And 48fan, I think you are right - the people who know that they aren't in the chase are definitely going to start stepping it up to get to that 11th position!
Posted by: Christina | Sep 6, 2005 10:57:07 PM
It looks like the jockeying for the 11th position has already begun, or why would both mikey and Jr stay out to lead a lap when the rest of the field pitted?
Posted by: 48fan | Sep 6, 2005 5:03:55 PM
Christina,
That's cool that you're thinking positively about Sadler's chances. I'm a Mayfield fan and last year I was in your shoes, I thought he had no hope. He led the most laps and won and entered the chase. Sadler could do the same this year.
Posted by: 19Jay12 | Sep 6, 2005 3:11:58 PM
I agree as well about donating their winnings, that was a really respectful move... Even though it hurts me to say that because I can't stand either one of those two drivers!!!
I'll be sitting on the edge of my seat at Richmond hoping, hoping, hoping that a miracle happens and Sadler wins the race and clinches a spot in the Chase... Sound a little far-fetched? I know, but I HAVE to think positive!!! And if he doesn't get in the Chase, I'll be following him all year hoping that he jumps into that 11th place spot!
Posted by: Christina | Sep 6, 2005 12:22:18 PM
I gotta agree with MBVoelker, donating their winnings was a class act. And I don't really care for either driver.
Posted by: Marty | Sep 6, 2005 6:38:03 AM
Yawn, another Hendrick car wins. How crushingly uninspiring.
There will be a race within a race at Richmond - uh, wait a minute, isn't the race supposed to be for the lead? I guarantee you there will be no battle for the lead worthy of the name; these guys and everyone else will just points-race like they do every week and whoever happens to be the leader will win.
Lead changes? I will be shocked if we see any serious number - no one tries anymore; they just points-race.
How about they go for the damned lead every lap for a change?
Posted by: Mike Daly | Sep 6, 2005 1:40:00 AM
Hurray for Kyle! I knew he would do it soon.
How classy of Carl and Kyle to donate their winnings to the hurricane relief. Make you proud to be a fan.
Posted by: MBVoelker | Sep 5, 2005 2:06:19 PM
Congrats to Kyle Busch on the eve of what is first of many wins. And kudos to him for donating $250,000 as well.
Posted by: 48fan | Sep 5, 2005 1:16:19 PM
Wll Jay, Newman is running as bad and as long as gordon did. Newman has been bad for the past few races, i don't remmeber the last race gordon was actually contending.
Posted by: 48fan | Sep 5, 2005 1:14:59 PM
Yeah, Newman wasn't happy at all, but he gave a much classier interview than J Gordon. Calling your effort pathetic isn't exactly encouraging for your team. Anyway i hope Newman does what J. Mayfield did last year at Richmond.
Posted by: 19jay12 | Sep 5, 2005 12:39:33 PM
I enjoyed this race mostly because it was a clean race, where the guy with the best setup and understanding of the track made it up front. It also showed that Roush Racing has done their homework. Those five Fords had the ability to get under every car (including all other Fords) and power their way through the corners. You know that guys like Stewart were driving their best to keep up, but the Roush team appears to put a better car under their drivers. I was happy to see Kyle win, but I was impressed at how Roush has created the same moment like we saw with Bill and Ernie Elliot in the 80s.
Posted by: Buddynoel | Sep 5, 2005 10:42:18 AM
Yep, the fat lady sang at Fontana for Dale Jr. and he will be fighting for the million dollar prize (11th) place at the end of the season at Homestead. Ryan Newman didn't look exactly thrilled when he got out of his car and found out that he was one point out of 10th.
Posted by: Jon | Sep 5, 2005 9:04:06 AM
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