Johnson Wins The Allstate 400

Jimmie Johnson held off Carl Edwards on the final shootout to win the Allstate 400 from Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Because of excessive tire wear, NASCAR decided to throw competition cautions throughout the race, keeping the runs between 10 and 12 laps.

With about 10 laps to go, NASCAR threw the final competition caution setting the stage for a seven lap shootout. Johnson’s crew got him out of the pits with the lead, with Edwards on his back bumper.  Johnson held off Edwards for the final seven laps.

Top 5: Johnson, Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Elliott Sadler, and Jamie McMurray.

Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton, and AJ Allmendinger finished sixth through 10th, respectively.

Notables: Mark Martin (11th), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (12th), Ryan Newman (13th), David Ragan (14th), Kyle Busch (15th), Clint Bowyer (19th), Tony Stewart (23rd), Martin Truex Jr. (24th), Kevin Harvick (37th), and Matt Kenseth (38th).

Harvick got collected early, when Kurt Busch spun. He suffered damage and had to go to the garage for repairs. His 37th place finish dropped him to 13th in points, out of the Chase. Harvick’s problems were good for his Richard Childress Racing teammate, Clint Bowyer, he moved to 12th in the standings, putting him in the Chase.

Kenseth blew a tire early, which ripped the right rear quarter panel off his car. His 38th place finish dropped him to 11th in points.

Stewart Haas Racing To Field No. 4

SceneDaily is reporting that in addition to the No. 14 that Tony Stewart will drive for Stewart Haas Racing next season, the team will also field the No. 4.

The No. 4 was Stewart’s early number during his go kart racing days. While an announcement has not been made as to who will drive the No. 4, sources are saying that Ryan Newman is the lead candidate.

Truex Denies Report Of Extension

Martin Truex Jr. denied published reports that he has reached a deal on a two-year contract extension with Dale Earnhardt Inc. to drive the No. 1 Chevy in the Sprint Cup next season.

While he acknowledged that both sides were in talks and that things were going well, he said:

It’s [expletive]. I don’t know what the hell [the reporter] is talking about. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Busch Wins Kroger 200

Kyle Busch dominated the Kroger 200 benefiting Riley Hospital for Children from O’Reilly Raceway Park, leading 197 of 200 laps to earn his sixth Nationwide series victory on the season. Ironically enough, Busch crushed the competition after NASCAR cut Toyota’s horsepower. So much for that.

The win marks Busch’s 15th win in NASCAR’s top three series this season. (Yawn!)

Top 5: Busch, Colin Braun, Mike Bliss, Scott Wimmer, and Josh Wise.

Cale Gale, Landon Cassill, Joey Logano,  David Ragan, and Steve Wallace rounded out the top 10.

Notables: Carl Edwards (11th), David Stremme (13th), Brian Keselowski (15th), Jason Leffler (16th), Clint Bowyer (18th), Brad Keselowski (19th), David Reutimann (26th), and Kelly Bires (36th).

Give a call to Colin Braun and Josh Wise. Both of these young drivers had tremendous days running up near the front all race, and they held on to post good finishes. Brian Keselowski also posted a top 15.

Carl Edwards also deserves a nod for battling back from three laps down to rally to finish 11th.

Mike Bliss also gets a call. He spun early but battled back to finish third.