Hamlin Takes A Wild One at Texas

Hamlin is new points leader after Texas victory
Written By: Matt "Night" Rider

FORT WORTH, TX.- Joe Gibbs racer Denny Hamlin (Pictured Left) passed Roush-Fenway racer Matt Kenseth to seel up a big victory at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this afternoon. After the big win, Hamlin holds a thirty-three point advantage over Hendrick driver Jimmie Johnson, and a fifty-ninety point lead over third place Childress racer Kevin Harvick.

Hamlin had a solid day, staying up front despite the downfalls of his Gibbs teammate Kyle Busch. Busch spun out then used an inappropriate hand gesture to relay how he felt to NASCAR officials. NASCAR called Busch to his pits for a two lap penalty. This penalty set Busch back for the remainder of the day.

On the seventh caution flag (Lap 192), the action turned into a free for all between title contenders Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon (Pictured Right). After Martin Truex Jr. brought out the caution flag, Burton crashed hard into the side of Gordan's DuPont Chevy. The damage was done, as far as the race cars were concerned. After the pile up, a very upset Gordan confronted Burton. The two had an altercation, which the safety officials finally got under control. Then they were both taken into the ambulence for observation. It was another frustrating day for Burton. This time he collected Gordan in the maylay.

Johnson's crew chief Chad Knaus (Pictured Left) made the careful decision to replace the 48 crew with his Hendrick teammate the 24 pit crew for the remainder of the race. Personally, I think is a stupid move. A pit crew may make a few bad pit stops, but a pit crew chief should never replace his original pit crew with another pit crew team. I think it was a bad call by Knaus that ultimately costed the 48 team, as well as Johnson the Championship points lead.

In the late stages of the race, Hamlin had too much for Johnson and Harvick to handle. Hamlin took the checkered flag, while Harvick finished the day with a solid sixth place finish. Johnson was a little off on the restarts and came home nineth. Hamlin carries the Championship lead into the nineth race of the Championship Series (Kobalt Tools 500)  next Sunday, November 14th at Phoenix Raceway.

Race Results credited to:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2010/34/data/results_unofficial.html
Points Standing credited to:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2010/data/standings_unofficial.html
Schedule credited to:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/
Denny Hamlin picture credited to:
http://www.nascar.com/2010/news/headlines/cup/04/19/dhamlin.wins.texas.1/index.html
Jeff Gordan picture credited to:
http://www.seattlepi.com/motorsports/3010ap_car_nascar_gordon_burton_fight.html
Chad Knaus picture credited to:
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/columns/story?columnist=blount_terry&id=4375301