Jimmie Johnson only led the NASCAR race at Dover one time yesterday (5/31/15), but it was at the end of the race to capture another win on the “Monster Mile” in the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks.
The 43 NASCAR drivers took the green flag for 400 laps on the one-mile track knowing they would be racing each other and “Miles the Monster” over 400 miles to have a shot at the win.
Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. established that they would be the cars to beat as Denny had the pole position to start the race with Martin next to him on the front row. Denny powered his way to the lead on the first lap and held it for the first 41 laps. Martin was able to get past Denny for the lead on lap 42. These two cars would spend the most time leading the race with Denny out front for 118 laps and Martin leading for a race high 131 laps of race.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. had to go to the rear of the field for the start after changing a rear end gear after qualifying. He fell a lap down early in the race as a result. However, he got that lap back after the first caution of the seven that were issued during the race. He was able to then race his way into the top ten. Dale Jr. then got caught speeding as he entered pit road which resulted in him going back a lap down after his drive-through penalty which he would not be able to rebound from a second time.
Other drivers were also hit by “Miles the Monster” either with penalties on pit road or crashes on the track. It was on one of the final cautions that Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick chose to remain on the track when the rest of the lead cars pitted for either two of four tires. Jimmie was able to grab the lead on the re-start on lap 383. He and Kevin were able to hold off the drivers with fresher tires through the final scheduled laps, two more restarts following yellow flag periods and the green-white-checkered finish of the race.
Jimmie held the lead for the final 23 laps to capture his tenth win at Dover International Speedway, fourth win of the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup season and 74th career win in the Sprint Cup series. Kevin held on to claim the runner-up finish with Kyle Larson capturing third place. Kasey Kahne and Aric Almirola rounded out the top five in fourth and fifth place respectively. See the complete race results in the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks here.
Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. remain in first and second place in the pint standings with Kevin at the top. Jimmie Johnson’s win moves him up two places to third. Joey Logano and Dale Jr. each slip a spot to fourth and fifth respectively. See the complete NASCAR Sprint Cup point standings here.
Jimmie has tightened his grip on the top seed on the Chase Grid with his fourth win of the year. Kevin Harvick remains as the second driver on the grid as the only other driver with multiple wins (two) for the year. Since Dover did not produce a new 2015 Sprint Cup winner, there are still only seven more drivers on the Chase Grid with a single win and an all but locked position on the grid. See what the 2015 Chase Grid looks like following the NASCAR race at Dover here.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup series heads to Long Pond Pennsylvania next to race on the “Tricky Triangle” of Pocono Raceway in the Axalta ‘We Paint Winners’ 400 Sunday, June 7th.
By: Buck Stevens
