How about that? Brad Keseowski won at Dover.
Or rather, his fuel tank won at Dover…
The push for position in the latter half of the race combined with pit stop strategy from other teams not quite working to the end put Keselowski in the front spot at the checkers.
A win is a win, right…? Yes… Fans want to see the drag race finish but it doesn’t always work that way. Hamlin and Busch had good cars and were in position but the fuel wasn’t. Rather than push and risk an empty tank and possible fall back deeper in points they went in for a “splash and dash” allowing others to take the front.
This win for the #2 Miller Lite Dodge is the second in the “Chase” and fifth for the entire season. Ironic that a Dodge is running well while making a manufacturer exit for the next season(s)…
Harvick, Kahne, Biffle, Earnhardt, Jr., and Stewart finished 2 to 3 laps down spread through the 11th through 20th positions. Kenseth had a worse day with rear suspension issues and a later spin putting him deep in the field at 35th.
With two wins in the “Chase”, Keselowski is on top of the points but not by much. Johnson is 5 points back followed by Hamlin who is 16 down. Clint Bowyer climbed 2 spots from Dover to 4th at 25 points back. Despite a 3 lap finish, Stewart is hanging on to the top 5 at 32 points back.
Seven races remain with the next stop being somewhat of a dark cloud hanging over the “Chase”. Talladega is fast but the “Chase” drivers are wary of what is commonly referred to as the “Big One”. It is a multi-car crash that can catch anybody in the mix so “Chase” contenders see it as a bit of a roll of the dice. If one or more get caught in a crash such as that it could signal a race ending episode leaving those points in the garage and a possible end to a championship run.
Another possible game changer is the only short track in the “Chase”. Martinsville offers challenges unique to the mix with close racing and a lot of technical aspects that push every point. Brakes and tempers can go hot in an instant and those walls are really close…
The 2012 Chase is fleshing out and there is still time for even those deep in position to rally forward. However, every weekend cuts those chances so the push is on at every track. Let’s hope that push doesn’t break it up too much if we do see a Big One at Talladega.