Johnson Wins Indy, Kahne Stumbles
Jimmie Johnson wins his first All-State (Brickyard 400) at Indianapolis, while Kasey Kahne drops out of the top ten in the standings.
Aug 7, 2006
Early in Sunday's All-State 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Johnson vanished from the front of the pack when he cut down a tire on lap 39. He was bogged down in 38th position and magically worked his way back to front and into the lead on lap 116 by passing Matt Kenseth.
Johnson would take the lead for the final time on lap 152 when he blew by Dale Earnhardt Jr, who did not pit during the final caution flag. Johnson is the first driver since Dale Jarrett to win the Daytona 500 and All-State (Brickyard) 400 in the same season. And for those of you new-school fans, Jarrett went on to win the Winston Cup Championship that season.
Jarrett also swept the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 in 1996.
"Pucker up and get ready to kiss those bricks!' Johnson said exultantly while celebrating his first win at the storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Matt Kenseth finished second, Kevin Harvick finished third, and Clint Bowyer and Mark Martin rounded out the top five.
Four-time winner Kasey Kahne fell out of the top ten in the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings for the first time since the Daytona 500 after he was involved in a last lap crash. Kahne was trying to pass Tony Stewart on the inside lane when he lost control of his #9 Dodge.
Despite the brutal lick, Kahne walked away from the wreckage.
"It's just normal these last two months. We're good in practice, have a chance to win every race after practice, then get in the race and can't do anything."
Kahne and team owner Ray Evernham were none to pleased with NASCAR, as they felt that a caution should have already been thrown for the wreck that occurred between Greg Biffle and Robby Gordon earlier the same lap.
As a result of Kahne's calamity, Dodge Motorsports is without a representative in the top ten. Kahne is Dodge's only hope right now to circumvent the embarrassment of an absence in this season's 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship. Kurt Busch is still alive, but is a long shot.
The Evernham/Jeremy Mayfield saga has lingered on, and now it's reported that Mayfield may move on to Bill Davis Racing in 2006 to pilot the Toyota Camry. And rumor has it that Evernham may replace Mayfield as early as this weekend at Watkins Glen as the #19 car has dwindled outside of the top 35 in NASCAR Nextel Cup owner's points.
Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr spent most of the day outside of the top 25, but both drivers were able to salvage solid finishes. Earnhardt Jr gambled on the final caution on lap 141 by staying out while most of the lead lap cars pitted. He was able to finish in the 6th position, and climb back into 10th in the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings.
Gordon overcame a broken bolt on the left front sway bar and rallied to finish 16th on the lead lap. At one point during the race, Gordon was three laps off the pace. Gordon is eighth in the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings.
Quote of the week
Jeff Gordon's dissatisfaction after finishing behind Dale Earnhardt Jr
"Junior lucked out that that strategy worked out for him because he was horrible all day. The next five weeks will be real hard and none of us can have the same kind of problems we had today."
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