Martinsville showed that when given the opportunity, one is going to use the bumper to make up time.
Every car that left the track had some sort of damaged sheetmetal, or a tire rub on the side. The best part of that kind of action is that no matter how the car looks, as long as it handles right, there's a shot at a good finish.
The usual suspects led at some point in the race. The three picks of the writers all got credited for leading at least one lap.
Unfortunately, the top two drivers picked had issues late in the going. Both Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson had problems thanks to late cautions. Hamlin pitted when the last caution waved, and had to take the wave-around. It resulted in a 12th-place run. A strong rebound from the engine woes of last week.
Jimmie Johnson was a late contender, and was coming to the front...but an uncommon mistake by the champ cost the Lowe's team. Of all things, on the final round of pit stops, he sped getting to his pit box.
What it meant was the end of the longest line, and rather than a possible win, it was 11th for "Five-Time."
But, the finish of this race was one that many fans had to enjoy. Late in the running, Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the lead. The sight of the No. 88 out front brought the Virginia chapter of "Junior Nation" to their feet.
But, despite the strong run, it was "Mr. Where'd He Come From" getting the last word. It was the first repeat winner on the season as Kevin Harvick took the victory. As if that moniker didn't fit like a glove before, Harvick was at the front when it mattered the most.
Once again, no victories were accounted for by any of the writers, but it was not a bad day for them either. Here's a look at the points as the checkered flag has fallen on the Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville:
Sal Sigala Jr. (217) Jimmie Johnson finished 11th (1)
Kelly Crandall (203) Jimmie Johnson finished 11th (0)
Ryan O'Hara (194) Jeff Gordon finished fifth (1)
Rob Tiongson (189) Denny Hamlin finished 12th (1)
Billy Fellin (188) Denny Hamlin finished 12th (1)
Christopher Leone (177) Jeff Gordon finished fifth (1)
Kara Martin (175) Jimmie Johnson finished 11th (0)
Misan Ayuka (169) Denny Hamlin finished 12th (0)
Michael Hirshbein (167) Denny Hamlin finished 12th (1)
James Broomhead (160) Denny Hamlin finished 12th (0)
Dustin Parks (159) Jimmie Johnson finished 11th (0)
Summer Dreyer (152) Jimmie Johnson finished 11th (0)
NEXT RACE: At Martinsville, the one thing that was talked about more than the racing was the hot dogs. This upcoming weekend, the food won't be the talk outside of the track. However, BIG things will be discussed.
It's time to saddle up, get out the cowboy hats, and the chaps as NASCAR is going to bring on it's own version of the rodeo.
On the docket, the Texas Motor Speedway. But unlike last year, we won't have to wait for a Sunday afternoon. This Texas Stampede is coming under the lights, on a Saturday night. The first night race of 2011 is going through the Lone Star State, giving NASCAR it's first taste of the hot lights, and hotter action.
Writers, this is going to be a short week. Picks for Saturday night's Samsung Mobile 500 are due Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET.
Written by:
