Johnson Back To Form After Dover Checkers

"Jimmie Johnson rebounded from last week’s 25th place finish in New Hampshire to win this week’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the Monster Mile in Dover."

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Johnson’s latest win was his sixth of the year and 53rd career which leaves him one shy of Lee Petty on the all-time list."

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A.J. Almendinger led most of the first 150 laps until a flat tire forced an unscheduled pitstop, yet the Team Petty driver managed a 10th place finish."

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Johnson led the most laps on the day after wrestling the lead late in the go from Kyle Busch."

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Jeff Burton proved to be a strong runner to capture second with Joey Logano, Kurt Busch and Carl Edwards capping the top five."

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The Monster was fairly kind by only nipping Clint Bowyer and David Reutimann in the fence with any semi-serious ramifications. Reuti’s fence plant was courtesy of Ryan Newman who is becoming somewhat of a bully on and off the track with each passing week."

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Bowyer has had a heck of a week after celebrating his win in New Hampshire on Sunday only to be informed on Wednesday the win would stand but a serious 150 point hit and other penalties has pretty much wiped out this team from any shot at a title."

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The same can be said for Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth who also suffered problems and would up mid-pack and slipped further down the list in the Chase."

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I’d also add Greg Biffle to that list of ‘stick a fork’ in their chances category.
Points leader Hamlin survived to run ninth, still sits atop the standings but only by 35 over Johnson and 45 over Kyle Busch with eight races remaining."

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Can Johnson make it five titles? I don’t rule it out. What do you think? Drop me a line.
Nationwide - OK…there was a Nationwide race at Dover on Saturday afternoon. Kyle Busch was in it. Should I say any more? Yes, the full-time Cupper took the win, the money, the glory and for a record setting 11th time in one season."

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The rest of the top five runners included Logano, Edwards, Reed Sorenson and Kevin Harvick."

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Danica Patrick didn’t exactly have a weekend to hang her hat on as the diminutive miss qualified 42nd and finished many laps down in 35th. She’ll compete in the IRL finale this weekend, then run the final six races in the Nationwide series"

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Brad Keselowski struggled to finish 17th, but still has a huge lead over Edwards with seven races to go."

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Truckin’ - Camping World Truck driver Austin Dillon racked up his second win after earning his fourth pole in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The rookie driver is quickly amassing an impressive resume in only his first full-time season."

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The grandson of Richard Childress will join his younger brother in a two-truck full-time effort next season."

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Dillon’s biggest competition were the trucks of Johnny Sauter and James Buescher who wound up second and third."

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Points leader Todd Bodine took fourth, one spot ahead of second place points runner Aric Almirola."

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Open Wheel News - The Formula One series competed at the beautiful facility in Singapore where Fernando Alonso took his Ferrari to the winner’s circle for the second consecutive week."

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Sebastien Vettel made it interesting in the closing laps, finishing a few car lengths behind at the stripe, yet in front of his teammate Mark Webber."

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Webber remains atop the standings, but only by 11 over Alonso."

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From Rumorville – After Denny Hamlin opened his mouth during a press conference about how Childress teams (more specifically Bowyer’s team car No. 33) knew they were under scrutiny from NASCAR, and that the thickness of a quarter doesn’t help the car much…Hamlin totally disagreed."

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Saturday morning’s practice found teammate Kevin Harvick bumping into Hamlin on purpose, then sideswiped the JGR driver in response the Virginia drivers comments.
The discussion continued with heated words in the pits where officials and crew broke the thing up. NASCAR says no addition penalties for either team. I think there will be more to this situation before the season is over."

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— Look for Nationwide drivers Justin Allgaier (only non-Cup winner) and Trevor Bayne to be out of their respective rides by seasons end."

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With Allgaier, it’s the departure of Verizon, plus I think they need a spot for Sam Hornish Jr and Bayne’s deal is a lack of sponsorship and the team needing room for up and comer Ryan Truex. Good thing Bayne had a five year contract with MWR. It wasn’t worth the paper it was written on. They are both very young and very talented and should land on their feet somewhere. I predict a Nat ride for both and Cup deal down the road.

That’s it for this week. Next week’s RWR will review the NASCAR Cup and Nationwide battles from Kansas, final laps of IRL action along with more racing news from around the globe."

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Questions? Comments? Contact Russ at [e-mail]
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