Kurt Busch Returns to the Summit at Martinsville

Six races into the Cup season and there have been 6 different winners and 6 pretty darned good races. This week saw the return of Kurt Busch to Victory Lane. It was not the way many thought the day would pan out

Returning to racing a week after missing the race at Fontana because of a piece of metal in his eye (or was it a sinus infection? I forget.), Denny Hamlin sat on the front row with the pole sitter and teammate Kyle Busch. And Denny pretty much guaranteed a win on Sunday, that is how confident he was

Well, Mother Nature had a different idea. Practice was rained out on Saturday and the weather was pretty cool by Martinsville standards. So the track was green, the skies overcast and the track was so cool that building up rubber to help with traction was going to be an issue. None of which made for an easy day for Hamlin or Kyle Busch. Once the race got underway, Hamlin started falling back and Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson (starting in the top 5) both pressured the Gibbs teammates

Even though there was a competition caution at lap 40, the drivers were not holding back in the early going. Set ups were obviously off on a lot of cars and that caused a lot of moving forward and backward throughout the day. Double file restarts at Martinsville are incredible with outside lane cars wanting to get down to the inside lane asap. Pit road is another place that requires, and tries, a lot of patience. Carl Edwards was hitting everything he could on pit road, even spinning Matt Kenseth 180 degrees into his pit box. Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne and Brad Keselowski got into a 3-way mash up that sent the 2 car into the garage area and hunting for the 41 when he came back onto the track. Keselowski deliberately went out for Kurt and did a fair amount of damage to the side of his car without spinning him. All of this prompted the ever-calm Busch to proclaim they “were done” for the day

Thank goodness no one listed to him because they kept after it and Busch was able to wear down the 48 car and get to the lead in the closing laps, clinching his victory and probable Chase position

This is the “all-new” Kurt Busch. Still challenging on the radio, he stuck with it, stayed away from the 2 car and finished the job. Gene Haas has to be one happy camper since he was the main driver behind adding Busch to the stable at Stewart-Hass Racing. Stewart got a top 20 finish but there have been too many of those for him this year. Harvick got a top 10 but was never a threat to win. Patrick started well, but fell like a rock throughout the race. SHR and Busch needed this win and SHR is the only team with 2 wins this year. In the meantime, they have no cars in the top 10 in points and only one in the top 15. Is that weird or what

The NASCAR family lost Linda Petty this past week as well. Our prayers go out the Petty family. Former driver Shawna Robinson also announced that she is battling breast cancer. Our prayers go out to her as well in her biggest challenge.

But I know what you are all waiting for. So here you go. This week’s

WINNERS

Kurt Busch (1) has returned to the summit with a win. Unfortunately, he is still 20^th in points

Jimmie Johnson (2) had no tires left and had to cede to Busch after leading 296 of 500 laps. So 6 races in and no wins for Johnson? How does that work for the conspiracy that the new Chase is designed to help the 48 team?

Joey Logano (4) continues his incredible run for 2014. It won’t be long before he gets a win.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (3) made his way to the front via driving and tire strategy and then stayed there and led 25 laps. He also takes over the points lead again.

Marcos Ambrose (5) had an awesome day and brought home a nice finish for Petty.

Aric Almirola (8) gave the Petty team both cars in the top 10. Linda would be proud.

Matt Kenseth (6) had an up and down day and finished more up than down. It could have been a lot worse.

Kevin Harvick (7) had a meh kind of day, but SHR will take the top 10 right now since he is mired at 25^th in points.

Clint Bowyer (9) looked like he had a shot at winning this race. And then fell victim to restarts and tires.

Paul Menard (10) had a strong day.

AJ Allmendinger (11) had a good race as well.

Austin Dillon (15) started deep in the field and stayed out of trouble. That is a good day for a rookie

And the LOSERS.

Denny Hamlin (19) leads all drivers after calling out his win as the weekend started.

Kyle Busch (14) led laps but blamed an aggressive set up and no practice for his bad day.

Brad Keselowski (38) had a decent starting position but then decided that pit road was the place to start hitting people. Still in the top 10 in points though.

Danica Patrick (34) started 10^th and fell like a rock the entire day. At least she stayed out of everyone’s way this week.

Carl Edwards (13) had a tough day on and off pit road.

Greg Biffle (18) actually led 18 laps. And I never even noticed.

Kasey Kahne (22) is killing my fantasy league. I thought he would rebound with a better year. So far, no luck with that.

Kyle Larson (27) was running decently when Mike Joy noted that fact. Kiss of death when the announcers point out how well you are doing. Larson then lost it all on his own and never recovered.

David Gilliland (26) seemed to have problems keeping his car pointed the right way.

Is Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (40) the new Greg Biffle? Up one week, down the next. Like a freaking roller coaster.

Jamie McMurray (42) started the day in the top 10 and then found himself on the outside lane and tried to get in front of Earnhardt. Well, that dog did not hunt.

And what are your thoughts on the season so far?

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