Jimmie Johnson Outduels Stewart
Johnson runs Stewart into the wall, Montoya miffed with Gordon
Defending Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson chased down two-time champion Tony Stewart and completed the race-winning pass on lap 322 of the 325-lap event.
The Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway featured a classic duel between two of NASCAR’s top drivers. Defending Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson chased down two-time champion Tony Stewart and completed the race-winning pass on lap 322 of the 325-lap event. However, the pass was not as clean as either driver would have preferred.
Coming off turn 2, Johnson thought that he had Stewart cleared when he slid up the track. Unfortunately, Stewart was still there and because of the contact, Johnson forced Stewart into the outside wall, purging any chance at a second consecutive victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Though Johnson’s race-winning move was unintentional, it left a bad taste in Stewart’s mouth.
"I wish he had given me a little more room," Stewart said. "I don't think I ever pinched him or kept him from having room on the racetrack to race…He had a faster car. He was probably going to get around us anyway. But I'd like to see him at least give me room to race him for it."
Johnson was contrite regarding the incident. "I drove it in further than I should have into Turn 1 and the car stuck," he said. "I got to the gas, and at that point I was clear and focused on the exit where I was going to drift the car out to Turn 2 and pick the throttle up to wide open."
Rather it was calculated or not, it was a subtly aggressive way to clinch his 25th career NASCAR Nextel Cup victory.
Matt Kenseth finished third, Jeff Burton finished fourth, and Juan Pablo Montoya rounded out the top five. Speaking of Montoya— there a couple of things about the Bogota, Colombia native that stands out. Firstly, he is an incredibly gifted racecar driver. On the other hand, he still has a lot to learn about NASCAR.
Just a week ago, he was the guy that was a lap down, and he had no problem racing with the guys on the lead lap. In fact, he raced Carl Edwards, who was on the lead lap, tooth and nail for several laps. His frustration led to a surly hand signal directed towards Edwards. However, this week, he was clearly peeved with Jeff Gordon, who was the car a lap down.
Jeff Gordon visibly had the faster car of the two, as he was racing to become the Lucky Dog and earn the free pass. I fail to see why Montoya grew aggravated with the four-time champion for racing with a little added vigor, just as he did with Edwards last weekend at Las Vegas.
“I wasn't too impressed with that (Jeff Gordon) because I was starting to get to (Kenseth) and as soon as he started getting to my car I started getting really loose and I started losing momentum," Montoya expressed. "I couldn't believe that he did it. I don't have anything against him.”
Gordon’s retort regarding the incident was rather concise. “I think that one thing he'll learn over time is that when you have a lapped car that eager, you give it up."
Dale Earnhardt Jr spent the majority of the afternoon among the top five and ten, but his car’s handling diminished and he faded to a 14th place finish. The mid-pack finish chagrined Earnhardt Jr.
"We ran pretty good until the end," Earnhardt said. "Then I don't know what Tony (Eury) Jr. and the guys did to the car, but it was terrible. I'm not complaining, but I'm pretty frustrated we didn't do a better job of getting our car to handle.”
Subject to change— Mark Martin will relinquish his lead in the NASCAR Nextel Cup championship standings next week at Bristol Motor Speedway. Keep in mind; this would have been Martin’s second season after retiring from NASCAR in 2005, which was the original plan.
Top five in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Standings
1. Mark Martin, 629
2. Jeff Gordon, 621
3. Jeff Burton, 618
4. Jimmie Johnson, 601
5. Matt Kenseth, 567
In cruise control- Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Burton, and Jeff Gordon
On the rise- Juan Pablo Montoya, Clint Bowyer, Martin Truex Jr, Reed Sorenson
On the hot seat-All Toyota Drivers, Kasey Kahne, Scott Riggs, Casey Mears, Greg Biffle
Quote of the week
Greg Biffle on David Reutimman
"The 00 (Reutimann) right-reared me at the end of the backstretch and turned me in the fence…I guess it's payback from California, I don't know.”
Next race- Food City 500, at Bristol Motor Speedway
Last year’s winner- Kurt Busch
This years projected winner- Jeff Burton
