AAA 400 2012 Results: Reaction, Leaders and Post Race Analysis

Brad Keselowski regained the lead in the Sprint Cup Series with a big win at the AAA 400.

Amazingly, the eventual winner only led for 14 laps. Jimmie Johnson was in front of the pack for a good portion of the race, but tailed off towards the end as he was unable to win at Dover for the second time this year.

Johnson was forced to slow down late due to fuel concerns. ESPN's Marty Jones responded to a question in the affirmative when asked if the change was intentional:

"

Yep. Sure is. Good call. RT @dawnwilliams48: @martysmithespn I feel it's strategy by #lowes48 team

— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) September 30, 2012"

This seemed to be a more useful response than one Jones provided earlier in the race:

"

A very fast car RT @mbottom48: @martysmithespn Wthout cautions, whats it going to take to get lap back, anything? #ESPNinRace

— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) September 30, 2012"

Keselowski now has two victories in the past three races for the Chase for the Cup. He put himself in great position to win his first championship with only seven races remaining. 

He also tweeted this little nugget before the race began. I am sure he does not disagree five hours later.

"

Spoiler alert- whoever wins the race today will be the new media favorite to win championship.Lol

— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) September 30, 2012"

It was also a big day for Jeff Gordon. The veteran was the runner-up on Sunday as he attempted to get back in contention in the Chase.

Kyle Busch, who led for 302 laps, will earn two bonus points in addition to the 39 he earned for a seventh-place finish.

Pole winner Denny Hamlin continued his struggles on this track. He finished outside the top 15 three times in the last two years and an eighth-place finish did not do much to help him this year.

AAA 400 Results (via ESPN)

Pos.	Driver	Car	Manufacturer
1	Brad Keselowski	2	Dodge
2	Jeff Gordon	24	Chevrolet
3	Mark Martin	55	Toyota
4	Jimmie Johnson	48	Chevrolet
5	Carl Edwards	99	Ford
6	Martin Truex Jr.	56	Toyota
7	Kyle Busch	18	Toyota
8	Denny Hamlin	11	Toyota
9	Clint Bowyer	15	Toyota
10	Joey Logano	20	Toyota
11	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	88	Chevrolet
12	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	6	Ford
13	Kevin Harvick	29	Chevrolet
14	Bobby Labonte	47	Toyota
15	Kasey Kahne	5	Chevrolet

Sprint Cup Standings (via FOX Sports)

Pos.	Driver	Points
1	Brad Keselowski	2138
2	Jimmie Johnson	2136
3	Denny Hamlin	2125
4	Clint Bowyer	2116
5	Tony Stewart	2110
6	Kasey Kahne	2110
7	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	2103
8	Martin Truex Jr.	2100
9	Kevin Harvick	2096
10	Jeff Gordon	2093
11	Greg Biffle	2091
12	Matt Kenseth	2070