Kurt Busch’s (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge) dominant win at Pocono last Sunday has elevated him to 12th place in the standings, seven points ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet). Busch delivered a perfect (150.0) Driver Rating at Pocono and also set a track record by leading 174 laps.
Over the last eight races, Busch has picked up five spots and 95 points to move into 12th place. Following the race at Dover and a subsequent penalty that cost him 100 points, Busch had fallen to 17th place, 88 points behind Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt Jr. had been in the top 12 for six straight weeks and seven overall this season before slipping out last week at Pocono, despite a season-best second-place finish.
Ryan Newman (No. 12 Kodak Dodge) finished seventh at Pocono and is currently 14th-place, 90 points behind teammate Kurt Busch. Mark Martin (No. 01 U. S. Army Chevrolet), who is driving a limited schedule this year, is 15th and 216 points out of 12th, while Greg Biffle (No. 16 Dish Network Ford) is 16th and likewise 216 points behind Busch.
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