Fighting hard for a berth in the Chase for the championship, Busch drove a steady and smooth race at one of the toughest tracks in NASCAR to climb off the ropes and keep his title hopes alive. His fourth win of the season—tied with Martin for most in the Sprint Cup Series—jumped him two spots in the standings to 13th.
Martin likewise gained two spots to 10th, 60 points ahead of Busch. The top 12 drivers after the Sept. 12 race at Richmond qualify for the Chase.
Tony Stewart had a frustrating night at Bristol, as he encountered issues with his radio in the early going, followed by a pit-road speeding penalty before his car later stalled on the track due to electrical problems. Stewart wound up finishing 11 laps down in 33rd.
Stewart’s lead shrank to 220 points over Johnson, while Jeff Gordon fell to third in points after a 23rd-place run. Gordon had a tire rub during the mid- stages that put him one lap behind. Auto Racing Daily
Below is a look at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series top 12, along with other notable drivers, going into the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sept. 6. (Note: Drivers listed below who are outside the top 12 are chosen based on past performances at the upcoming track and/or are within striking distance of the top 12.)
1 – Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 103.2
2009 Rundown
• Three wins, 13 top fives, 18 top 10s
• Average finish of 8.7
• Led 14 races for 275 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
• Two wins, eight top fives, 13 top 10s
• Average finish of 12.0
• Finished eighth in March’s Atlanta race
• Led 12 of 21 races for 790 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Series-best Pass Differential of 286 (passes minus times passed)
2 – Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 111.3
2009 Rundown
• Three wins, nine top fives, 15 top 10s
• Average finish of 11.8
• Led 20 races for 1,235 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
• Three wins, nine top fives, 11 top 10s
• Average finish of 9.1
• Finished ninth in March
• Led nine of 16 races for 386 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Series-best Average Running Position of 8.1
3 – Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 98.8
2009 Rundown
• One win, 11 top fives, 16 top 10s
• Average finish of 11.4
• Led 12 races for 571 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
• Four wins, 14 fives, 22 top 10s; two poles
• Average finish of 12.4
• Finished second in March
• Led 21 of 34 races for 1,098 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• 407 Fastest Laps Run, third-most
4 – Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 98.7
2009 Rundown
• One win, eight top fives, 12 top 10s
• Average finish of 13.1
• Led 10 races for 670 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
• One top five, two top 10s
• Average finish of 16.5
• Finished 13th in March
• Led three of eight races for 74 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 12.5, sixth-best
5 – Carl Edwards (No. 99 Aflac Ford)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 92.7
2009 Rundown
• Seven top fives, 11 top 10s
• Average finish of 13.0
• Led nine races for 159 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
• Three wins, six top fives, eight top 10s
• Average finish of 10.7
• Finished third in March
• Led seven of 10 races for 299 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 13.0, seventh-best
6 – Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 100.1
2009 Rundown
• One win, six top fives, 13 top 10s
• Average finish of 13.5
• Led 13 races for 391 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
• Two wins, six top 10s
• Average finish of 18.6
• Won March’s Atlanta race
• Led eight of 17 races for 526 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 10.8, third-best
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