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Blue-oval two-fer
Early in the season, Ford has gotten a slight leg up in the manufacturer's race, winning both Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series events out of the gate.
The Dearborn, Michigan, faithful knew before the season that it would receive a boost in sheer numbers with Stewart-Haas Racing joining the fold. Sunday, SHR's Kevin Harvick and race winner Brad Keselowski spearheaded the charge to help Ford Fusions lead all but 12 of the 325 laps.
Early in the season, Ford has gotten a slight leg up in the manufacturer's race, winning both Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series events out of the gate.
The Dearborn, Michigan, faithful knew before the season that it would receive a boost in sheer numbers with Stewart-Haas Racing joining the fold. Sunday, SHR's Kevin Harvick and race winner Brad Keselowski spearheaded the charge to help Ford Fusions lead all but 12 of the 325 laps.
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Back for seconds
Two races into the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, Kyle Larson holds a curious distinction: In both events, he was the last driver to lead before the eventual winner took command.
If any consolation, Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway showed promise for both Larson, who finished second, and his Chip Ganassi Racing team. Jamie McMurray also ran in the top 10 for much of the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 before finishing 10th.
Two races into the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, Kyle Larson holds a curious distinction: In both events, he was the last driver to lead before the eventual winner took command.
If any consolation, Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway showed promise for both Larson, who finished second, and his Chip Ganassi Racing team. Jamie McMurray also ran in the top 10 for much of the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 before finishing 10th.
3 of 5
Unlucky 13
Last year's 500-miler at Atlanta had just one pit-road speeding penalty on the infraction sheet. This season, that number reached 13 -- the last of which was especially costly to Kevin Harvick, who led 292 of 325 laps and faded to a ninth-place result.
Three of Hendrick Motorsports' four drivers were dinged -- including Dale Earnhardt Jr. on two occasions -- leaving only fourth-place Kasey Kahne of HMS without a head-scratching punishment.
Last year's 500-miler at Atlanta had just one pit-road speeding penalty on the infraction sheet. This season, that number reached 13 -- the last of which was especially costly to Kevin Harvick, who led 292 of 325 laps and faded to a ninth-place result.
Three of Hendrick Motorsports' four drivers were dinged -- including Dale Earnhardt Jr. on two occasions -- leaving only fourth-place Kasey Kahne of HMS without a head-scratching punishment.
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Paving the way
A pressing issue both pre-race and post-race remained Atlanta's 1.54-mile surface, slated for an overhaul and a visit from the paving truck this year.
The gritty, tire-chewing surface -- well-worn after 20 years of use -- has endured as a drivers' favorite for its multi-groove character, leading race winner Brad Keselowski to petition Marcus Smith -- CEO of track ownership group Speedway Motorsports Inc. -- among those joining the rallying cry to leave it be. Will they? Won't they? The proof is in the paving.
A pressing issue both pre-race and post-race remained Atlanta's 1.54-mile surface, slated for an overhaul and a visit from the paving truck this year.
The gritty, tire-chewing surface -- well-worn after 20 years of use -- has endured as a drivers' favorite for its multi-groove character, leading race winner Brad Keselowski to petition Marcus Smith -- CEO of track ownership group Speedway Motorsports Inc. -- among those joining the rallying cry to leave it be. Will they? Won't they? The proof is in the paving.
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Uphill road ahead
Matt Kenseth rallied from two pit-road penalties for a stealthy third-place showing Sunday at Atlanta, but there's been little else to shout about for Joe Gibbs Racing just two races into the season.
After a rocky Daytona 500 and an uneven day at Atlanta, Kenseth sits 16th in Monster Energy Cup Series standings, with Denny Hamlin (19th), Kyle Busch (26th) and Daniel Suarez (32nd) behind him. The saving grace: It's far too early for alarm, with 34 of the 36 points-paying races remaining.
Matt Kenseth rallied from two pit-road penalties for a stealthy third-place showing Sunday at Atlanta, but there's been little else to shout about for Joe Gibbs Racing just two races into the season.
After a rocky Daytona 500 and an uneven day at Atlanta, Kenseth sits 16th in Monster Energy Cup Series standings, with Denny Hamlin (19th), Kyle Busch (26th) and Daniel Suarez (32nd) behind him. The saving grace: It's far too early for alarm, with 34 of the 36 points-paying races remaining.