Martinsville. It can be a turn to turn slug-fest or a lap by lap run down trading positions. The classic scenario mixes the two for moves through the field and pushing the way to the front.

This weekend we got a bit of the classic Martinsville. Twenty-two lead changes, plenty of clashing bumpers with some spins and wall-hangers to an “anyone could take it” 20 lap final.

This was the Chase from Martinsville as the track celebrated 65 years of racing with Hall Of Famers, a showing of historic memorabilia at a local museum, a points grab on the line and a return to his car by one of the top stars of NASCAR.

If that wasn’t enough to make a full day throw in a constant threat of hurricane Sandy off the eastern coast and another front pumping through from the west. As the race ran through scheduled 500 laps it was raining 80 miles west and 100 miles east. Martinsville sat between the weather for racing but 15 minutes after the checkered flag the temperatures began to plummet and the wind was kicking it.

Martinsville fans are used to dealing with a little weird weather but this may have pushed it up a notch.

The race, however, ran the course with total focus from the teams to go for the front and chase down championship points as Homestead drew closer with each lap.

Jimmie Johnson had the pole and lead it off in the #48. Jeff Gordon put the #24 in the lead by lap 72. After that exchange Johnson got it back then Gordon rolled back to the front shortly after. Brian Vickers managed to get up front. Denny Hamlin made it up and later pole sitter Johnson regained the lead. Clint Bowyer bumped his way to the top spot. Gordon got it back… Then Bowyer again… Kasey Kahne was near the front for a good bit so went ahead and took his turn in front of the train.

During all this the top 5 was switching around even faster. Included with the leaders were Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Martin Truex, Jr.

Kenseth, Montoya and Almirola even mixed in, even if it was for just a lap or two during pit cycles.

The finish was a lap on lap drag race. Kevin Harvick’s engine decided it was tired and gave up. Brad Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. stayed on track for the caution while others went through pit road. The green flag was back with Keselowski, Dale Jr’, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch.

Keselowski had been moving up in the pack all day and now was here at the front. Johnson, with better tires, got by as Keselowski could not hold. Another caution caught Dale, Jr. when Hornish and Edwards touched up pushing the #88 around. Kyle Busch gave it a run in the final few but the #48 held and by the checkered flag the #18 was in the mirror as Johnson crossed the checkers.

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Keselowski was back in sixth. Kyle finished second. Kasey Kahne, Aric Almirola and Clint Bowyer filled the spots between.

Dale, Jr., on his return to the #88, ran well all day. His car had been fast in practice but still only qualified mid-pack. He pushed to the top 5 and was well in for at least a top 10 finish until the push to the wall in the final laps.

Defending champion Tony Stewart, winning this race last year, could not hold well at all throughout the day and finished back in 27th after starting in the top 10.

The standings, after this win for Johnson and the #48, have moved Chevrolet to the front of the manufacturer standings and Johnson to the top of the Chase list. Keselowski is now 2 points back, followed by Clint Bowyer and Kasey Kahne who both moved up. Hamlin fell back two slots.

The Chase for the Sprint Cup has three more to run. Texas, Phoenix and the closer at Homestead…

Hurricane Sandy threatened the day at Martinsville and as far as we know did no real damage at Homestead in Florida.

Unfortunately, the same can not be said further north along the east coast…

Racing, however, will chase the way well beyond the storm.