Winners and Losers: Pepsi 500

(Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

For the first time in the Chase the NASCAR Sprint Cup series heads to Auto Club Speedway, for a date in the Chase. With the standings the closest they have ever been in this Chase format California takes center stage with storylines abound for Chaser and racers alike.

Check out the winners and losers for the Pepsi 500.

Winners

Jimmie Johnson

Mark Martin called Jimmie Johnson superman a few weeks back and he is just that. Johnson dominated once again on Sunday, leading the most laps.

Johnson had a fast car in practice and had an even faster car for the race.They did struggle on pit road, losing multiple positions on multiple stops. Crew chief Chad Knaus though rallied the team and on the final stops they had no issues.

It came down to a battle of the teammates between Johnson and Jeff Gordon. Johnson had a better final restart, after the long red flag for a multi-car wreck. Johnson was able to pull away.

Once again Johnson wins at California and takes over the championship lead by just 12 points over teammate Martin.

Johnson heads to what use to be his house. Can he regain his dominance in Charlotte and pad the point lead?

Points:First

Jeff Gordon

You know the saying always the bridesmaid never the bride. For second consecutive week and the eighth time this year,  Jeff Gordon comes home in second place. Once again though they took a tough handling race car and were able to work on it and were there when it counted.

Gordon started in 10th position but quickly moved forward, he was battling in the top five early in the race. The team had solid pit stops and never dropped outside the top 10 on Sunday.

Gordon got the lead late in the race but multiple cautions and a red flag had Gordon on the defensive against his teammate Johnson. Unable to take the lead Gordon came home with another solid finish in the Chase.

After finishing in 14th at New Hampshire the team has steadily climbed back into the championship picture.

Gordon and his team are running like they did earlier in the year, but are still without a victory to complete the charge for the championship.

Points: Fifth

Juan Pablo Montoya

This week I am adding one more additional winner to my list. I have to give credit to Juan Pablo Montoya. He is the only Chase driver to finish in the top five in every race so far. It’s because of that they are in the hunt for a championship.

Montoya had a strong car all day long, leading laps and staying up front battling Johnson and Gordon for the lead late. But on the final restarts they struggled and were unable to make a charge for lead.

Montoya though is thinking big picture and another strong run.Montoya is doing everything he has to, to win the championship, except the problem is all the drivers around him are Chase drivers.

Even so Montoya’s third place finish is impressive for this dark horse.

Points: Third

Casey Mears

In recent weeks Casey Mears has had some strong runs and some good finishes. He seems to really heat up late in the year. There are so many questions about his future next year,  so he needs to run well. It couldn’t have happened at a better track than his home track this weekend.

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