In his post-race interview, Kyle Busch said what I was thinking prior to this race: that the car was o.k., but not at it’s winning best. Busch was quick to credit crew chief Steve Addington for smart pit calls and the driver celebrating his 24th birthday completes a birthday sweep of Richmond with his 15th career Cup victory.
Heartbreak for Hamlin. Denny Hamlin wants to win near his hometown of Cherterfield so bad, and for a while it looked like the “11″ would get his wish. After outside pole sitter Jeff Gordon had lead much of the early race, Hamlin jumped out front around lap 80. He was racy throughout much of the contest, having enough car to re-take leads before a problematic tire change on the right front took the wind out of his sails.
Jeff Burton gets the Rocky Balboa Award for a lot of fight. Typically, you think a start
near the front for the racer not known for his qualifying would mean a brilliant run. “The Mayor” ran into big time trouble, or should I say trouble ran into him when Dale Earnhardt Jr. got together with Burton to bring out the 7th caution of the race. Providing a textbook tale for perseverance, Burton fought his way back, if you sure can’t help but think if he hadn’t run out of laps that Burton may have had a little something for Shrub at the end.
It’s a proud night for the Twin Hoosiers at Stewart- Haas Racing. Though he didn’t think much of his car, Tony Stewart willed his way to a runner-up finish. In spite of being around a lot of contact, Stewart managed to keep his car relatively clean and keeping himself in a prime position to capitalize on a Busch bobble should it occur. Teammate Ryan Newman spent a lot of time out front, and looked like a winner for a while. For the “39″- the 4th place finish represents a vastly improved effort on their part in recent weeks. Newman also breaks the top 12 in season points.
Ordinarily- you expect to see a name less familiar at front at the plate tracks, but not at Richmond. Kudos to Sam Hornish Jr. for hanging in with a 6th place finish. Jamie Mc Murray proved a pleasant surprise with a 7th place run. Casey Mears ran 9th and Juan Pablo Montoya took 10th. All of these guys can use the shot of confidence this night will provide as Jamie Mac may be looking for a new ride next year when Jack Roush has to downsize his team. Mears may have found a little magic with the team switch. Certainly Hornish is continuing to prove he belongs in covered wheel racing and JPM gets a result more reflective of how well he’s actually improving.
It wasn’t a great night for HMS. Mark Martin did get a nice bounce back effort with a 5th place finish and Gordon hung on for an 8th place run. Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were fighting bad cars all night. With his top 10, Gordon re-takes the lead over Kurt Busch- another driver who was very good early but faded away.
The story of the night was Kyle Busch. At the same track where he no doubt made many enemies in 2008, he no doubt earned at least some respect with his sweep in 2009. Long green flag runs might have proven his undoing, which wasn’t happening with a rash of late race caution flags. The “18″ was stout on re-starts and his team just didn’t beat themselves.
My old message board buddy Trego Steevo said he never was a fan of restrictor plate racing, preferring places like Richmond. He may be on to something, because this race was a thriller of a different kind. No flights of fancy into catch fences, but still plenty of contact, green flag passes and loads of fun under the lights local track style.
PHOTO CREDITS- Busch w/ Same by s54901. Burton car and Jamie Mac by amanda480743. To see more from these fin photographers, visit flickr.com, or click on the hyperlinks.
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