Nextel, Atlanta: Chad Knaus regala il successo a Johnson

Jimmie Johnson had a strong green-white-checkered finish at Atlanta, finalizing the two-tire call by crew-chief Chad Knaus that sent him out in front of all race leaders at the final pit sequence. Denny Hamin, who tried to gamble by staying out, suddenly lost pressure at the re-start, triggering a multi-car pileup that involved most laps leader Martin Truex Jr and Kyle Busch. By winning at AMS, Johnson cut his gap to Jeff Gordon, who ended up in 7th after pacing to the end a bad car, down to just 11 points, while fellow chaser Clint Bowyer kept himself into play with 5th place. Carl Edwards, who recovered from a poor weekend start ended up in 2nd, followed by Reed Sorenson, team-mate Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton. Lap leaders Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne and Red Bull's Brian Vickers rounded out the top-10.

The Toyotas driven by Michael Waltrip Waltrip entered the top-20 too, like the Dodge of Kyle Petty, scoring a positive result in his quest for the top-35, while Dave Blaney his position jeopardized due to engine problems. Several wrecks and problems were caused by tires, involving, among others, Dale Earnhardt Jr, who hit the wall hard at last lap, and Juan Pablo Montoya, who was stopped twice by his right-front. Two separate wrecks also involved David Gilliland, who was collected by Mark Martin after hitting the wall hard, and Jeremy Mayfield, rear-ended at his first race forr Haas Racing by David Ragan. The Chase For The Nextel Cup now enters in the last 3 race-shootout, hosted at Texas, Phoenix and Homestead.

Reports of Villeneuve-Davis deal continue
Despite the denials by Jacques Villeneuve, sources continue to talk about a possible done deal between the Canadian and Bill Davis Racing for a stake in the team. Announcements about the future of the top Toyota outfit are expected soon.

Marco Cortesi

Nascar Nextel Cup Race Results - Atlanta

1 - Jimmie Johnson (Chevy) - Hendrick - 329
2 - Carl Edwards (Ford) - Roush - 329
3 - Reed Sorenson (Dodge) - Ganassi - 329
4 - Matt Kenseth (Ford) - Kenseth - 329
5 - Jeff Burton (Chevy) - Childress - 329
6 - Clint Bowyer (Chevy) - Childress - 329
7 - Jeff Gordon (Chevy) - Hendrick - 329
8 - Kurt Busch (Dodge) - Penske - 329
9 - Kasey Kahne (Dodge) - Evernham - 329
10 - Brian Vickers (Toyota) - Red Bull - 329
11 - Michael Waltrip (Toyota) - Waltrip - 329
12 - Casey Mears (Chevy) - Hendrick - 329
13 - Kyle Petty (Dodge) - Petty - 329
14 - Elliott Sadler (Dodge) - Evernham - 329
15 - Kevin Harvick (Chevy) - Childress - 329
16 - AJ Allmendinger (Toyota) - Red Bull - 329
17 - Ricky Rudd (Ford) - Yates - 329
18 - Bill Elliott (Ford) - Wood - 329
19 - Dale Jarrett (Toyota) - Waltrip - 329
20 - Kyle Busch (Chevy) - Hendrick - 329
21 - Robby Gordon (Ford) - Gordon - 328
22 - Greg Biffle (Ford) - Roush - 328
23 - Tony Raines (Chevy) - HOF - 328
24 - Denny Hamlin (Chevy) - Gibbs - 328
25 - Dale Earnhardt Jr (Chevy) - DEI - 327
26 - Jamie McMurray (Ford) - Roush - 327
27 - Paul Menard (Chevy) - DEI - 327
28 - John Andretti (Dodge) - BAM - 327
29 - Scott Riggs (Dodge) - Evernham - 327
30 - Tony Stewart (Chevy) - Gibbs - 323
31 - Martin Truex Jr (Chevy) - DEI - 322
32 - Johnny Sauter (Chevy) - Haas - 321
33 - David Ragan (Ford) - Roush - 320
34 - Juan Montoya (Dodge) - Ganassi - 283
35 - JJ Yeley (Chevy) - Gibbs - 275
36 - Joe Nemechek (Chevy) - Furniture Row - 268
37 - Ryan Newman (Dodge) - Penske - 267
38 - Dave Blaney (Toyota) - Davis - 263
39 - David Stremme (Dodge) - Ganassi - 250
40 - Jeremy Mayfield (Chevy) - Haas - 250
41 - Bobby Labonte (Dodge) - Petty - 238
42 - David Gilliland (Ford) - Yates - 64
43 - Mark Martin (Chevy) - DEI - 64

Il campionato/Drivers standings'
1. Jeff Gordon 6201; 2. Johnson 6192; 3. Bowyer 6090; 4. Edwards 5940;
5. Stewart 5879; 6. Kyle Busch 5873; 7. Harvick 5801; 8. Jeff Burton
5801; 9. Kurt Busch 5782; 10. Hamlin 5777; 11. Kenseth 5753; 12. Truex
5688.