Coca Cola 340.5: Winners and Losers

Here is a look at the guys who either came out on top or got drenched after a long Memorial Day weekend in NASCAR's hometown at the Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Winners

David Reutimann

That final rain delay had to seem like it was lasting an eternity to Reutimann who notched his first career Sprint Cup win in his 75th start for Michael Waltrip Racing. The win was also the first Cup series win for Toyota to come from a team other than Joe Gibbs Racing.

The win improve Reutimann's chances of making this year's Chase and solidified him as a definite threat to bring home the big trophy at the end of the year.

Charlotte finish: Winner

Points: 13th, 1422 (300 behind Jeff Gordon [1st], six behind Mark Martin [12th])

Michael Waltrip Racing

What a day for MWR finally breaking through and getting their first win in their second full season of competition. This win brings a renewed sense of motivation to everyone in the Waltrip Racing shop and will help better their organization as a whole.

Not to mention this win could help make the possible Truex-MWR deal that has been rumored about for weeks a reality.

Charlotte finish: No. 00-Winner, No. 55-30th

Points: No. 00-13th, 1422 (300 behind Gordon, six behind Mark Martin)

No. 55-31st, 1095 (627 behind Gordon)

Ryan Newman

Following Reutimann and gambling with staying out on the final caution paid off for Newman, who was mired back in the pack after a pit road penalty for loose lug nuts under an earlier caution.

Newman's recent rise has turned Stewart Haas Racing into a two team threat for the 2009 championship, spurring a lot of talk and questions about the possibility of SHR expanding to a third team in 2010.

Charlotte finish: Second

Points: Seventh, 1538 (184 behind Gordon, 116 ahead of 13th place)

Brian Vickers

Red Bull Racing has been having a tough year and to have Vickers have as competitive a car as he had on Monday, and if not for the rain would have been fighting with Kyle Busch for the win at the end, had to be a reassuring day for both driver and team.

With the deadline coming on Vickers' option with Red Bull Racing the ball really is in Vickers' court, as I can't see Red Bull letting this driver go after all he has done for them.

Charlotte finish: Fifth

Points: 16th, 1348 (374 behind Gordon, 80 behind 12th place)

Joey Logano

After a very slow start to his rookie season, Logano has had a turn around of late putting forth some impressive top 10 finishes since Talladega, including a ninth place finish at Charlotte.

Logano is now solidly in the top 35 in owner points working his way towards the top 20 in driver points and holds a 15 point advantage over Scott Speed in the current rookie of the year rundown.

Charlotte finish: Ninth

Points: 25th, 1145 (577 behind Gordon, 283 behind 12th)

Losers

A little harder to pick losers for this week since most teams got bit by the rain since there were very few non-rain cautions and 26 cars still on the lead lap when the race was called official.

Clint Bowyer

Bowyer dropped four positions down the current driver points standings from 13th to 17th and lost a lot of ground on earning a spot in the 2009 Chase. Clint was one of many still stuck one lap down when the final caution came out and wound up in the 36th position.

Clint needs a good bit of help to make this year's Chase and a win would be the best thing for him and the RCR No. 33 team, but I don't see that win coming at Dover this weekend.

Charlotte finish: 36th

Points: 17th, 1319 (403 behind Gordon, 109 behind 12th)

Kevin Harvick

When it rains it really does seem to pour for Kevin Harvick and his No. 29 team as they just suffered all weekend at Charlotte.

Between dealing with the rain that plagued the race weekend, then contact with another car, a flat tire that sent him into the wall, and a pit road speeding penalty, it just wasn't Harvick's weekend.

After this weekend and falling two more spots in the points, the Chase seems almost unreachable for Harvick.

Charlotte finish: 36th

Points: 23rd, 1149 (573 behind Gordon, 279 behind 12th)

Robby Gordon

After finishing third on Monday evening Gordon got some upsetting news while going through post-race inspection as he was told that his rear end housing was being taken back to NASCAR's R&D center in Concord for further inspection.

Work came down today that Gordon would be penalized 50 driver/owner points and his crew cheif has been fined $50,000 for having a rear axle housing that exceeded the maximum toe of plus or minus one degree (violation of section 20-10.6H).

Even with the penalty Gordon still holds a 140 point advantage over the current 35th place team in owner points after the No. 34 team finished 39th.

Charlotte finish: Third

Points: 34th, 1017 (705 behind Gordon)