There was plenty of drama last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.
For starters, a two-hour rain delay prolonged the start of the race. Once the race began, the action was fast and furious as drivers like Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Jimmie Johnson traded the top spot.
But then another rain shower hit the track after drivers completed only 125 laps.
Unfortunately, the second rain delay turned out to be anything but a quick rinse as the race was delayed by more than three hours.
As a result, the two separate rain delays turned the 500-lap race into a twilight marathon.
But after the weather cleared and the track dried up just after 7 p.m. Eastern Time, the final 375 laps of the Food City 500 provided plenty of action.
Multiple lead changes, side-by-side action, long green-flag runs and plenty of crashes were on display throughout the evening. But when the dust was cleared and the contenders were washed aside, no pun intended, only one driver stood tall — Carl Edwards.
The Roush Fenway driver scored his first win of the season and his first at the track since the 2008 August race.
But Edwards’ No.99 Cheez-It Ford was not alone at the finish. Edwards was accompanied by teammate Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Richard Petty Motorsports driver Aric Almirola who came in 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Add Almirola’s teammate Marcos Ambrose who finished 5th and the Fords can say they had a pretty stout outing.
But with the strong showing, where will the Fords stand in this week’s Power Rankings?
Let’s take a look:
1. Brad Keselowski — +1
After leading 40 laps early in the race, Keselowski looked like he would be able contend for the win. That changed for Keselowski when Kevin Harvick lost an engine with about 50 to go. As Harvick’s engine let go in turn 1, Keselowski plowed into the rear of Jamie McMurray’s car in the accordion while the two were running 5th and 6th. Despite losing the car’s hood due to its immense damage, Keselowski was able to nurse the car to a 14th place finish and take the points lead in the process.
At California: The two mile speedway has not been kind to Keselowski in his career. In five starts, Keselowski has no wins, top 5s or top 10s with an average finish of 22.8. Time will tell if BK can changes his fortunes in Hollywood.
2. Jeff Gordon — +2
Sunday’s race at Bristol was anything but uneventful for Gordon. After starting 6th, Gordon moved to 3rd by the time the competition caution waved on lap 50. But while exiting his pit stall, Gordon collided with David Ragan as he was coming to his pits. The collision damaged the right front of Gordon’s car and forced him back to pit road for repairs. After restarting 35th, Gordon would work his way back to 17th by lap 125. However, Gordon fell to 29th shortly after the race resumed due to his tires forming blisters. Gordon would use his car’s strength on the long run to charge from 30th to 10th in just over 100 laps. He would remain in the top 10 for the final 200 laps and finished 7th. The top 10 made it the first time in Gordon’s career that he started a season with four consecutive top 10s.
At California: Few drivers have been better than Gordon at California Speedway. In 24 starts, Gordon has three wins, 10 top 5s and 11 top 10s with an average finish of 11th. With the way Gordon and his team have started the season, don’t be surprised if he gets a fourth victory at the track on Sunday.
3. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. — -2
After a magical start to the season, Earnhardt, Jr. experienced his first setback of the year at Bristol. After running strong in the first 125 laps of the race, Earnhardt’s car experienced major handling issues when the track went dark. The handle of the No.88 Chevrolet was so bad that Earnhardt, Jr. went a lap down shortly after halfway and was eventually forced to pit road after believing his car broke a shock. Earnhardt, Jr. would eventually finish four laps down in 24th place.
At California: Earnhardt, Jr. has had lack-luster success at California Speedway. In 21 starts, Earnhardt has no wins, five top 5s and six top 10s with an average finish of 19.9. But he has finished 2nd and 3rd in his last two trips there, so there is optimism this weekend.
4. Carl Edwards — +5
Rain would not dampen Edward’s day last Sunday. After starting 12th, Edwards ran in the top 10 for most of the first half of the race. He asserted himself in the top 5 after halfway and would eventually take the lead in the final 150 laps. Once the strong contenders fell by way side, Edwards asserted himself as the car to beat. Edwards led 78 laps and fended of Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Aric Almirola en route to his first victory of the season — making him the fourth driver to clinch a Chase birth.
At California: Fontana has been a strong track for Edwards. He won in 2008 and finished in 4th last year. Expect Edwards to contend this year.
5. Jimmie Johnson — -1
Jimmie Johnson’s day at Bristol was doomed after lap 50. After pitting with the rest of the field during the competition caution, Johnson’s crew chief Chad Knaus opted for two left side tires instead of four for track position. The decision put Johnson in 1st where he would lead 44 laps. But the decision to not put four tires after racing on a “green” track burned up Johnson’s right front tire. The flat right front forced Johnson to pit road road during green-flag conditions just passed 100 laps. Johnson lost three laps on pit road and would only make one up the rest of the way. He would finish in 19th place, mostly due to attrition.
At California: No one has been better at California Speedway than Johnson. In 19 starts, Johnson has five wins, 12 top 5s and 14 top 10s with an average finish of 5.7. Expect him to be a factor this weekend.
6. Joey Logano — -1
After starting 4th and leading 12 laps in the open 100 laps of last Sunday’s race, Logano’s car lost its power steering. Bristol is the last track a driver wants to drive when there is no power steering. The mechanical failure cost Logano four laps as the crew made repairs. He made one up and was able to salvage a 20th place finish by the end of the night.
At California: Logano has had moderate success in his limited starts at the 2-mile track. In seven starts, Logano has no wins, two top 5s and two top 10s with an average finish of 15.4. He did lead 41 laps last year, including the white flag, but fell to 3rd after tangling with Denny Hamlin in turns 3 and 4 which sent him into the outside wall and out of contention. Let’s see if he can close it out this year.
7. Matt Kenseth — +/-0
Bristol was a “what if” race for Kenseth. Kenseth first experienced trouble when he was leading shortly after the race restarted at dusk. While slowing down for an accident in turn 1, Kenseth’s rear end was plowed by Timmy Hill who was a lap down and could not check up fast enough. Surprisingly, Kenseth’s car was not damaged too badly and was able to remain on the lead lap. He charged his way from the rear of the field to the top spot in the middle stages of the race. Kenseth did end up leading a race-high 165 laps, but faded in the final 100 laps after nearly crashing in turn 3 all by himself. In the end, Kenseth came home with a disappointing 13th place result.
At California: Kenseth has a stout record in Fontana. In 21 starts, Kenseth has three wins, eight top 5s and 14 top 10s with an average finish of 10.1. Like Johnson and Gordon, Kenseth will be a player this weekend.
8. Denny Hamlin — +2
Bristol was a solid race for Hamlin. He started on pole and led four laps. He ran in the top 10 for the majority of the day/evening and avoided calamity. Hamlin was rewarded with a 6th place result after fending off Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne in the final laps.
At California: Fontana has to leave a sour taste in Hamlin’s mouth. Statistically, Hamlin has no wins, one top 5 and four top 10s with an average finish of 19th in 13 starts at the track. But this was the race that sidelined Hamlin for four races and ruined the remainder of his 2013 season. After starting on pole, Hamlin ran in the top 10 throughout the day and closed in on then-rival Logano in the final laps. When the white flag waived, Hamlin was running in 2nd and tried to take the lead from Logano as they entered turns 3 on the outside lane. Logano did not give an inch, as he refused to let his rival best him for the win, and the two made contact. The contact sent Hamlin spinning and crashing head-on into an inside, concrete wall which caused him to suffer an L1 Compression Fracture. Now that the feud is apparently over and done with, let’s see how Hamlin runs this time around Logano.
9. Kasey Kahne — +2
After a slow start at Daytona, Kahne has begun to pick up the pace. After finishing 8th at Las Vegas, Kahne led 16 laps in mid stages of last Sunday’s race and finished in 8th for the second consecutive week. Let’s see if the recent momentum carries over to this weekend.
At California: California has been a good track for Kahne. In 17 starts, Kahne has one win, four top 5s and 10 top 10s with an average finish of 14.5. Expect a solid finish for Kahne this weekend.
10. Kevin Harvick — -4
If it wasn’t for misfortune, Harvick could be looking at three consecutive victories. After leading 28 laps last Sunday, Harvick was running in 4th and moving forward with about 50 laps to go when his engine grenaded in turn 1 and collected Jamie McMurray and Brad Keselowski in the process. It was the second straight week that a part failure cost Harvick a potential victory. With the 39th place finish, Harvick has dropped to 21st in the standings. But don’t expect him to stay there too long — his team has speed. The luck will turn around.
At California: Harvick has had decent success at Fontana. In 20 starts, Harvick has one win, four top 5s and nine top 10s with an average finish of 15.4. If the car does not break down, expect Harvick to be a factor once again.
11. Kyle Busch — -3
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the weekend was how much Busch struggled at Bristol. He first crashed his primary car in practice. And after leading 73 laps in the race’s first half, he then struggled with the car’s handling and quickly fell a lap down. To make matters worse, Busch spun on his own late in the race and collected his brother. Busch would eventually finish seven laps down in 29th.
At California: Like his teammate Kenseth, Busch has been stout at Fontana. In 16 starts, Busch has two wins, seven top 5s and 11 top 10s with an average finish of 10.7. He led 125 laps last year and won after Logano and Hamlin tangled on the final lap. His last three finishes at the track have been: 3rd, 2nd and 1st, respectively. Expect Busch to contend this weekend.
12. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. — +8
One of the feel-good stories last Sunday was Stenhouse, Jr. and his performance. After starting 21st, Stenhouse methodically worked his way to the front with a strong car on the long run. After working his way to the top 10 before halfway, Stenhouse moved into the top 5 for the final 200 laps where he would contend for the win. Stenhouse ultimately finished in 2nd — his career best — but it was still a great night for the second-year driver.
At California: Stenhouse has only one start at Fontana. He finished 20th in last year’s race. Let’s see if Stenhouse can improve on that.
13. Ryan Newman — +/-0
While he wasn’t spectacular last Sunday, Newman wasn’t terrible either. After starting 9th at Bristol, Newman hovered around the top 20 most of the night and that’s pretty much where he ended up, with a 16th place result. Not a bad finish.
At California: Newman has had decent success at California. In 19 starts, Newman has no wins, four top 5s and eight top 10s with an average finish of 17.2. However, his last four finishes at the track are: 5th, 5th, 7th and 10th, respectively. Don’t be surprised if he pulls a similar result on Sunday.
14. Brian Vickers — +2
After two tough races to start the season, Vickers has recovered nicely. After finishing 13th at Las Vegas, Vickers came home in 9th a Bristol after charging from 38th starting spot. The top 10 moved Vickers to 17th in the standings and has given the No.55 team solid momentum.
At California: Vickers has run decently at Fontana. In 14 starts, Vickers has no wins, one top 5 and five top 10s with an average finish of 16.1. Let’s see what he can muster this weekend.
15. Austin Dillon — +/-0
After starting 26th at Bristol, Dillon had quiet but solid night at “Thunder Valley.” Dillon avoided all the mayhem, stayed on the lead lap and came home with a solid 11th place finish. Good night for the rookie.
At California: N/A
16. Jamie McMurray — -4
The hard luck award at Bristol went to McMurray. After leading 10 laps, McMurray was running 5th when Harvick blew up with 50 laps to go. McMurray ran into Harvick’s oil and slid up into the outside wall when he was later rear-ended by Keselowski, thus ending his night. McMurray finished in 38th. Ouch.
At California: Fontana has been an okay track for McMurray. In 18 starts, McMurray has no wins, two top 5s and five top 10s with an average finish of 17.8. Let’s see if he can bounce back from the disappointment at Bristol.
17. Paul Menard — -3
After an awesome 3rd place finish at Las Vegas, Menard surprisingly struggled at Bristol. After starting from the rear, Menard struggled with the handling and could never get to the front. He would finish three laps down in 21st place.
At California: Menard has been dismal at Fontana. In 11 starts, Menard has no wins or top 5s and has only one top 10 which was an 8th place finish last year. His average finish is 23.2. Don’t expect much from Menard on Sunday.
18. Greg Biffle — +/-0
Biffle was one of those drivers that followed the traditional Bristol notion: If you stay out of trouble, you will get a decent finish. After struggling most of the night with handling issues, Biffle kept his car clean when many could not and salvaged a solid 12th place finish.
At California: Biffle has had decent success in his last three trips here with finishes of 11th, 6th and 6th, respectively. Despite a lack of a victory, expect a solid outing from Biffle on Sunday.
19. Tony Stewart — NEW
Another nice surprise Sunday evening was Stewart’s charge through the field. After starting 37th, Stewart slowly worked his way to the front, avoided calamity and snuck in for a top 5 finish by the end of the night. A great night for “Smoke” as he tries to get to back to 100 percent.
At California: Stewart won the 2012 race at Fontana and led 18 laps last year before a late tangle with Logano shuffled him back to 23rd at the finish. Where will Stewart finish this year? Time will tell.
20. Aric Almirola — NEW
Another wonderful surprise was Almirola who finished in 3rd for his career-best finish. Like Stenhouse, Almirola was able to move towards the front with a strong long-run car in the mid stages of the race. And once he got to the top 5, he basically stayed there the remainder of the race. Great to see the Petty No.43 back at the front once again.
At California: Almirola has only four starts at Fontana and they resulted with finishes of 35th, 43rd, 25th and 14th, respectively. Too soon to know if he will run strong this weekend.
Notables: Dropped Out — Clint Bowyer and Casey Mears.
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