Once is nice, but twice is even better.
With how this season has gone for NASCAR, every victory has become even more critical than the last. Through the first 13 races, there were nine different winners. Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch each got to taste victory on two occasions, while Kevin Harvick has won three different times.
All three of those drivers are in the Chase, but at the same time, the wins outside the Chase have become even more important.
That came into play on Sunday at the Pocono Raceway.
The popular picks were up front early, but faltered late. Denny Hamlin, the top pick by Victory Pool writers, had a flat tire coming off pit road that soon broke a brake line. He led the most laps, but the No. 11 Toyota finished 19th.
The Roush boys didn't fair much better, as Greg Biffle spun out of turn 3 and had to pit to get new tires. With no caution, he never caught up, finishing 27th. Meanwhile, Carl Edwards was looking great until a broken valve forced him to the garage.
A 37th-place finish cost him a lot of his point lead, and has also cost one writer the lead in the standings.
Meanwhile, if wins are becoming a bigger priority, one driver just found his security blanket. At the end of the 500-mile marathon that is Pocono, one four-time winner at the track now became a five-time winner.
It was Jeff Gordon taking the checkered flag for the second time this season. It was his first win since taking the checkered flag at Phoenix this year. More surprisingly, it was the first time that Gordon went to victory lane with DuPont as the primary sponsor on his car since Charlotte in 2007.
But, the victory felt sweet for the team and the driver. Two wins, that gives him a strong chance to be in the Chase, wild card or not.
No victories this week for the writers, but a lot of changes in the standings. Here's a look at where the points are after the 5-Hour Energy 500:
Sal Sigala Jr. (492) Kyle Busch finished third (2)
Kelly Crandall (485) Carl Edwards finished 37th (2)
Christopher Leone (461) Denny Hamlin finished 19th (2)
Billy Fellin (460) Denny Hamlin finished 19th (2)
Rob Tiongson (447) Greg Biffle finished 27th (1)
James Broomhead (441) Denny Hamlin finished 19th (1)
Misan Ayuka (436) Denny Hamlin finished 19th (2)
Kara Martin (432) Denny Hamlin finished 19th (1)
Michael Hirshbein (423) Kyle Busch finished third (2)
Ryan O'Hara (412) Tony Stewart finished 21st (1)
Dustin Parks (407) Greg Biffle finished 27th (0)
Next Race: From the mountains of Pennsylvania, NASCAR is heading west to one of the hot beds for automotive history. Just outside of Detroit, in Brooklyn, Michigan, is the 2-mile track known as the Michigan International Speedway.
One of the most popular tracks on the circuit by both drivers and fans alike, this track is fast, has multiple grooves, and has provided some incredible finishes over the years.
It's a special weekend as we honor the many fathers in this country next Sunday. Father's Day has traditionally hosted NASCAR at Michigan, and it has provided a great time for everyone involved at the speedway. More importantly, bragging rights by the auto manufacturers are on the line as well. Just outside the Motor City, everyone is bringing their best stuff.
Writers, get out the horsepower for this one. Picks for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 are due by Thursday, June 16, at 10 p.m. ET.
*UPDATE*
The points have changed slightly as a result of NASCAR's ruling on Monday. Kyle Busch, and team owner Joe Gibbs, were each penalized six points in the standings because of the left-front being too low in post-race inspection.
As is protocol, I have also penalized the writers that chose Busch to win the race those six points. The standings now reflect the results after the penalties were assessed.
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