Bank of America 500 2012 Results: Reaction, Leaders and Post Race Analysis

Clint Bowyer took home the Bank of America 500 in Charlotte, finishing ahead of Danny Hamlin when the checkered flag waved after 334 laps.

The win marks Bowyer’s third victory of the season in his Five Hour Energy car. He moves into fourth place in the Sprint Cup standings, hopping Kasey Kahne and only 28 points behind of the lead.

"

CLINT BOWYER WINS THE BANK OF AMERICA 400!!!!!

— Bowyer Nation (@BowyerNation) October 14, 2012"

Think Bowyer fans are a bit excited after Saturday’s result?

All in all, it was not a race to the finish, but a race to be fuel-efficient as the night went on.

Danny Hamlin had a chance to challenge Bowyer in the final laps, but claimed to have trouble managing his fuel on the TV broadcast. He would not be the only one.

Sprint Cup leader Brad Keselowski held the lead for 147 laps, more than any other driver, but surrendered it with less than 100 laps to go.

He then would run out of gas on lap 276, kicking himself out of contention. ESPN’s Marty Smith tells the story:

"

Yes. Brad Keselowski ran out of gas but coasted around the track and into the pits. Lap-276. They packed it full on pit lane.

— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) October 14, 2012"

Keselowski finished 11^th on the day, his worst finish of the Chase season. He still holds a Sprint Cup lead, though, seven points ahead of Jimmie Johnson.

Jimmy Johnson had a JJ-like night in Charlotte, finishing third. It was his 16^th Top-5 finish on the season, tops among all drivers in the field. He’s currently in 2^nd place in the Sprint Cup Standings, only seven points out of the lead.

Five races left for the Sprint Cup Championship. Don’t hold your breath folks, this race is coming down to the wire.

Check out tonight’s results and the new Sprint Cup Championship Standings below:

Bank of America 500 Results (via ESPN)

Leaderboard - Final		Points
1	Clint Bowyer #15 - Toyota	47
2	Denny Hamlin #11 - Toyota	43
3	Jimmie Johnson #48 - Chevrolet	42
4	Greg Biffle #16 - Ford	41
5	Kyle Busch #18 - Toyota	39
6	Mark Martin #55 - Toyota	39
7	Carl Edwards #99 - Ford	37
8	Kasey Kahne #5 - Chevrolet	36
9	Joey Logano #20 - Toyota	35
10	Martin Truex Jr. #56 - Toyota	34
11	Brad Keselowski #2 - Dodge	35
12	Aric Almirola #43 - Ford	32
13	Tony Stewart #14 - Chevrolet	31
14	Matt Kenseth #17 - Ford	30
15	Sam Hornish Jr. #22 - Dodge	0

2012 Sprint Cup Standings (via FOX Sports)

Driver- Car		Points	Behind
1	Brad Keselowski #2 - Dodge	2,214	‒
2	Jimmie Johnson #48 - Chevrolet	2,207	7
3	Denny Hamlin #11 - Toyota	2,199	15
4	Clint Bowyer #15 - Toyota	2,186	28
5	Kasey Kahne #5 - Chevrolet	2,179	35
6	Greg Biffle #16 - Ford	2,171	43
7	Martin Truex Jr. #56 - Toyota	2,165	49
8	Tony Stewart #14 - Chevrolet	2,164	50
9	Jeff Gordon #24 - Chevrolet	2,164	50
10	Kevin Harvick #29 - Chevrolet	2,158	56
11	Matt Kenseth #17 - Ford	2,147	67
12	Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 - Chevrolet	2,128	86