BACK TO GALLERIES
Key Takeaways: Dover Chase race
By Holly Cain | Published: October 2, 2016 5
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The Pits
Jimmie Johnson's pit road issues continue. 'Six-Time' led 90 laps Sunday before he was penalized during a late-race pit stop. A No. 48 crew member was over the wall too soon, forcing Johnson back to pit road to serve a penalty. He finished a respectable seventh place. Johnson was caught speeding on pit road late at Chicago as well in the Chase opener where he led 118 laps.
Jimmie Johnson's pit road issues continue. 'Six-Time' led 90 laps Sunday before he was penalized during a late-race pit stop. A No. 48 crew member was over the wall too soon, forcing Johnson back to pit road to serve a penalty. He finished a respectable seventh place. Johnson was caught speeding on pit road late at Chicago as well in the Chase opener where he led 118 laps.
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Quiet Success
Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano are not under-the-radar racers, but that's been their story thus far. Keselowski, the 2012 champion, is ranked seventh, with three top-five finishes including fourth at Dover. Logano finished sixth at Dover after a runner-up at Chicago and 11th place at Loudon.
'Uneventful, which is what we had to do in this round,' Logano said of his day at Dover as he enters the Round of 12 ranked fifth.
Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano are not under-the-radar racers, but that's been their story thus far. Keselowski, the 2012 champion, is ranked seventh, with three top-five finishes including fourth at Dover. Logano finished sixth at Dover after a runner-up at Chicago and 11th place at Loudon.
'Uneventful, which is what we had to do in this round,' Logano said of his day at Dover as he enters the Round of 12 ranked fifth.
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Un-happy Harvick
Kevin Harvick's Loudon win became even more vital at Dover as he experienced problems early. His 37th-place finish -- worst among the Chase drivers to advance to the Round of 12 -- marked only the third time all season he has finished worse than 20th.
Next week's venue, Charlotte, has been a good place for Harvick, however. He has three career wins there.
Kevin Harvick's Loudon win became even more vital at Dover as he experienced problems early. His 37th-place finish -- worst among the Chase drivers to advance to the Round of 12 -- marked only the third time all season he has finished worse than 20th.
Next week's venue, Charlotte, has been a good place for Harvick, however. He has three career wins there.
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By the Numbers
Martin Truex Jr.'s Dover win was impressive in and of itself. But the driver is putting up career firsts this season. The win was his fourth of 2016; he had just three wins coming into the year. He has led more laps in the last six races (588) than he has led in any previous entire season. His 1,594 total laps out front in '16 is nearly three times the total of any other year. And, interestingly, Truex has won three races when qualifying sessions were rained out.
Martin Truex Jr.'s Dover win was impressive in and of itself. But the driver is putting up career firsts this season. The win was his fourth of 2016; he had just three wins coming into the year. He has led more laps in the last six races (588) than he has led in any previous entire season. His 1,594 total laps out front in '16 is nearly three times the total of any other year. And, interestingly, Truex has won three races when qualifying sessions were rained out.
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Back on Track
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. turned in his best showing -- 11th place -- since a runner-up finish at Bristol in August, six races ago. Only 10th place Jeff Gordon was better than Stenhouse among the non-Chase drivers at Dover. Sunday proved to be a long day for those even close to the lead with only six drivers finishing on the lead lap -- the fewest of any race this year.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. turned in his best showing -- 11th place -- since a runner-up finish at Bristol in August, six races ago. Only 10th place Jeff Gordon was better than Stenhouse among the non-Chase drivers at Dover. Sunday proved to be a long day for those even close to the lead with only six drivers finishing on the lead lap -- the fewest of any race this year.