CUP: Winners & Losers - Kyle Busch, Johnson Lead List

Sprint Cup

CUP: Winners & Losers - Kyle Busch, Johnson Lead List

Who was hot and who was not at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600...

Jeff Owens | http://www.scenedaily.com | Posted May 31, 2010 Charlotte, NC

Chad Knaus (Right), crew chief for the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, watches as crew members work on damage after the car was involved in an incident during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Photo: Getty Images)

Some big-name drivers found themselves on pit road early in the Coca-Cola 600 with some big-time problems.

One of them (Jimmie Johnson) never recovered. Another (Denny Hamlin) also suffered the consequences while his teammate (Kyle Busch) rallied for an outstanding finish.

They head our list of Winners and Losers at Charlotte.

WINNERS

Kyle Busch – Went from Losers list to here with a spectacular comeback. He had a 6-second lead when Jimmie Johnson spun, bringing out a caution flag on lap 166. Busch then slammed into the side of Brad Keselowski’s car on pit road. His team made major repairs and Busch rallied for a huge third-place finish to shave 40 points off Kevin Harvick’s lead.

Jamie McMurray – Impressive performance by McMurray, who has now won the Daytona 500 and finished second in both the Southern 500 and Coca-Cola 600. He is NASCAR’s most improved driver and is gaining on a spot in the Chase. As Kurt Busch said, Chip Ganassi needs to give the guy a raise.

Mark Martin – Was not a factor until he gambled on a two-tire change during the last round of pit stops. It paid off with a fourth-place finish.

David Reutimann – Looked for a while like he might win at Charlotte again – this time under clear skies. Still, the fifth-place finish was his second straight and third of the season.

Jeff Gordon – Employed the same strategy as Martin and wound up with the lead. He couldn’t hold it, but came away with a sixth-place finish on a night when he wasn’t in the hunt. He also gained two spots in points, to fourth.

Paul Menard – Remember when he kept running in the top 15 and top 20 early in the season? This time he finished eighth for his second top-10 of the season.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Owens

SceneDaily.com

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