March 31, 2010
By Chuck Abrams
It was just a matter of time.
Bad luck, torn ACL, whatever the reason, Denny Hamlin has been lackluster this season after being a preseason media favorite to be the guy to stop the Jimmie Johnson 'Drive for Five'' Show. I have been calling Johnson 'The Anointed One'.
But just hours away from ACL surgery and starting deep in the field due to a qualifying rain out, Hamlin charged to the front and not only held his own, but came from the fourth row to beat Jeff Gordon in two late restarts. Hamlin and Kyle Busch were running 1-2 when they both pitted for tires during a late caution with 16 laps to go.
Fox announcers Mike Joy, DW, and Larry Mac wondered what the heck they were doing pitting while firmly in the lead with so few laps left to go.
And had the race remained green, they would have been right.
Jeff Gordon took over first place and seemed to be on his way to another Martinsville win. But Kyle Busch got into three-wide trouble and smacked the wall. I guess pitting was not quite the right call for him.
The final yellow flag created another opportunity for Hamlin to have a go at Gordon -- and he did. So did Matt Kenseth, Ryan newman and Joey Logano. Hamlin shoved Newman out of the way and Kenseth slid up to the wall in a tree-wide race for the lead.
I am sure Gordon was not happy with the situation and the outcome, but gosh darn it, this was the best race of the year hands down.
Mark Martin was looking great but a pit road error and a flat tire cost him dearly.
Martin Truex Jr. showed up for this race, making up 20 spots at a track that is not easy to pass at. In fact, Newman, Logano and Hamlin all had mid-pack starting positions.
Johnson started third but finished ninth. While that is not a bad day for a lot of drivers, the booth guys were lamenting his ho-hum day. OK guys, wait 'till Phoenix. He is also awesome there and you can continue your JJ love fest. Oh, and JJ did take over the points lead.
The biggest loser for the day was Kevin Harvick who started on the pole, had nothing but problems with a right rear brake caliper and now sits fourth in points.
The next biggest loser was Kyle Busch, who fell six places to 16th in points. OUCH!
Hamlin and Logano are now back within striking distance of the top 12. Guys like Brian Vickers, Paul Menard and Dale Earnhardt Jr. need to get up on the wheel and put some distance between them and Hamlin and Logano before it is too late. Of course a lot depends on Hamlin’s recuperative powers after ACL surgery.
Starting eighth and finishing 15th at a track you are supposed to be good at (Dale Jr.) is not the way to make inroads into the top 12 when many other drivers in front of you has struggled.
Consider this, Marcos Ambrose who spun twice and started 31st -- finished 11th. And he has far fewer assets available to him to stay in the top 12 and contend for a title.
Let me know your thoughts.
Drive fast, turn left and keep the shiny side up.
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