When did NASCAR become a carnival ride? Today's race at the Martinsville Speedway almost resembled a game of bumper cars, with some getting bumped around way more than others.
Just look at Brian Vickers. The only car he never hit on the day was the pace car, although if the opportunity came he probably would have done that as well. Literally every car at some point had a sing, a dent, or some piece of duck tape holding part of the body on.
Some brake duct openings lost their screening, noses were caved in, and a lot of drivers looked for payback later on in the going.
Unfortunately, the points had some major changes thanks to this short track. Matt Kenseth, who entered the race second in the standings, had a late wreck thanks in part to Vickers getting payback, and was forced to the garage for major repairs. A finish of 31st hurts the points dearly. Carl Edwards, meanwhile, holds on by eight points with three races to go.
The guy he holds the lead over was the one that wanted the win the most on this day, and that was Tony Stewart. After a year and a half of bad finishes, and bad setups, Smoke made the unlikely pass on Jimmie Johnson on the outside on the final restart.
But it was what he said in victory lane when he was made aware he was only eight points back of Edwards with three races remaining.
"He better be worried, that's all I gotta say. He's not going to have an easy three weeks," he said with one big smile.
Speaking of points, a couple bad finishes by some drivers have jumbled up the standings once again. Not only that, but the points are closer than ever, and still closer than the actual Chase itself.
Take a look at how all 11 writers did following the Tums Fast Relief 500:
Sal Sigala Jr. (2255) Kevin Harvick finished fourth (5)
Dustin Parks (2254) Kevin Harvick finished fourth (1)
James Broomhead (2253) Jeff Gordon finished third (2)
Billy Fellin (2252) Denny Hamlin finished fifth (3)
Misan Ayuka (2250) Denny Hamlin finished fifth (4)
Michael Hirshbein (2248) Jeff Gordon finished third (6)
Rob Tiongson (2241) Clint Bowyer finished 19th (3)
Kara Martin (2238) Jeff Gordon finished third (1)
Kelly Crandall (2233) Jimmie Johnson finished second (4)
Christopher Leone (2227) Matt Kenseth finished 31st (4)
Ryan O'Hara (2225) Kyle Busch finished 27th (2)
Next Race: It's on now, as Stewart has thrown down the gauntlet to Edwards. It is going to be a shootout come these last three races. How appropriate it is that the next track on the schedule is in an area that is well known to be a spot for some classic "shootout" style events.
Put on the cowboy boots, button up the Wrangler jeans, and get out the stirrups as NASCAR heads to the Lone Star State. NASCAR will do a two-step as it is the second time the series heads to Texas, and makes a Sunday night matinee at the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway.
Writers, it's time to decide who's going to fire off the six-shooters. Your picks for the AAA Texas 500 will be due by Thursday, November 3, at 10 p.m. ET.
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