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By Kenny Bruce
SPEEDWAY, Ind. – The low-downforce package was a hit in its debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. If you happened to be Kyle Busch, that is. The defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and defending race winner dominated for his fourth victory of the season and has now swept the last two NASCAR weekends at the legendary 2.5-mile venue. With Pocono on the horizon and the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drawing closer, what else did we learn from the 23rd annual race at IMS?
SPEEDWAY, Ind. – The low-downforce package was a hit in its debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. If you happened to be Kyle Busch, that is. The defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and defending race winner dominated for his fourth victory of the season and has now swept the last two NASCAR weekends at the legendary 2.5-mile venue. With Pocono on the horizon and the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drawing closer, what else did we learn from the 23rd annual race at IMS?
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Earnhardt Jr. Out, Gordon In
Jeff Gordon, who ended his full-time racing career at the end of 2015, filled in admirably for former teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr., racing his way to a 13th-place finish with the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports team. Earnhardt, who is the series' most popular driver, fell out of the provisional Chase Grid and the top 16 in points after missing his second straight race while recovering from concussion-like symptoms. Gordon is slated to drive again this week at Pocono. Earnhardt might or might not be back for Watkins Glen on Aug. 7 -- giving him at most five races to either score a victory or climb back inside the points cutoff line to make the Chase.
Jeff Gordon, who ended his full-time racing career at the end of 2015, filled in admirably for former teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr., racing his way to a 13th-place finish with the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports team. Earnhardt, who is the series' most popular driver, fell out of the provisional Chase Grid and the top 16 in points after missing his second straight race while recovering from concussion-like symptoms. Gordon is slated to drive again this week at Pocono. Earnhardt might or might not be back for Watkins Glen on Aug. 7 -- giving him at most five races to either score a victory or climb back inside the points cutoff line to make the Chase.
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Still Chasing Indy
Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski came up short in their attempts to bring home a Brickyard trophy for team owner Roger Penske, who remains winless in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition there. On the plus side, Keselowski has officially clinched his Chase spot, and a win has Logano pretty much in the playoff field.
'I hate that we finished seventh,' Logano said, 'but it's probably where we deserved to finish from a speed point of view.'
Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski came up short in their attempts to bring home a Brickyard trophy for team owner Roger Penske, who remains winless in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition there. On the plus side, Keselowski has officially clinched his Chase spot, and a win has Logano pretty much in the playoff field.
'I hate that we finished seventh,' Logano said, 'but it's probably where we deserved to finish from a speed point of view.'
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Toyota takedown
For the second consecutive week, Toyota teams were dominant. Three drivers finished in the top five, and four in the top 10. That's bad news for Chevrolet and Ford teams, who are likely burning the midnight oil in an attempt to close the competitive gap. A week ago, Toyota teams led all but two laps at Loudon. Sunday, Busch led all but 21 of 170. If there's a bright side for Chevy and Ford, it's that there's nothing remotely similar to Indy awaiting their teams in the Chase later this season.
For the second consecutive week, Toyota teams were dominant. Three drivers finished in the top five, and four in the top 10. That's bad news for Chevrolet and Ford teams, who are likely burning the midnight oil in an attempt to close the competitive gap. A week ago, Toyota teams led all but two laps at Loudon. Sunday, Busch led all but 21 of 170. If there's a bright side for Chevy and Ford, it's that there's nothing remotely similar to Indy awaiting their teams in the Chase later this season.
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Attention: Jimmie Johnson Sighting
Six-time series champion Jimmie Johnson finished third and it is noteworthy that it is, well, noteworthy. It's the Hendrick Motorsports driver's first top 10 since Charlotte in May, and while he does have a pair of wins this year, recent results have been disappointing. Was Indy a sign of better things to come for the No. 48 team?
'We've been working really hard to get our cars where there need to be,' he said. 'We're still not happy, but we're getting closer.'
Six-time series champion Jimmie Johnson finished third and it is noteworthy that it is, well, noteworthy. It's the Hendrick Motorsports driver's first top 10 since Charlotte in May, and while he does have a pair of wins this year, recent results have been disappointing. Was Indy a sign of better things to come for the No. 48 team?
'We've been working really hard to get our cars where there need to be,' he said. 'We're still not happy, but we're getting closer.'
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Split Decision for RCR
Richard Childress Racing placed two drivers in the top 10 at Indy, with Austin Dillon ninth and Paul Menard 10th. While Dillon further solidified his Chase hopes and moved up to 12th in points, the driver he passed was teammate Ryan Newman, who finished 31st after being involved in a pair of late-race accidents. RCR drivers are still winless, although making the Chase via points looks attainable for Dillon and Newman.
Richard Childress Racing placed two drivers in the top 10 at Indy, with Austin Dillon ninth and Paul Menard 10th. While Dillon further solidified his Chase hopes and moved up to 12th in points, the driver he passed was teammate Ryan Newman, who finished 31st after being involved in a pair of late-race accidents. RCR drivers are still winless, although making the Chase via points looks attainable for Dillon and Newman.
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Ganassi Duo Chasing Chase
Thanks to a fifth-place finish, Kyle Larson is now 15th in points, and with Jamie McMurray in 14th, the two Chip Ganassi Racing teammates could race their way into the Chase. It's the first time all season that both have been in the top 15 in the standings, the likely the cutoff point for the 16-driver field with Tony Stewart outside the top 16 but holding a win. Two drivers in the Chase would be a first for Ganassi.
Thanks to a fifth-place finish, Kyle Larson is now 15th in points, and with Jamie McMurray in 14th, the two Chip Ganassi Racing teammates could race their way into the Chase. It's the first time all season that both have been in the top 15 in the standings, the likely the cutoff point for the 16-driver field with Tony Stewart outside the top 16 but holding a win. Two drivers in the Chase would be a first for Ganassi.