Martinsville Reactions & Observations

- It was a big win for Denny Hamlin after being a favorite to win at Bristol two weeks ago. He finally escaped some bad luck to get a win.

- Some rare harsh words were said by Jeff Burton about Michael McDowell, who was holding up a lot of leaders while a lap down late in the race. The race may have ended differently if this hadn't been the case. In any event, good job by Burton to finish as high as he did with less-than-fresh tires.

- It was a big rebound race for Hendrick Motorsports with their four drivers finishing in the top-7 (second, fourth, sixth, & seventh).

- Juan Montoya finished a solid 13th place in the race, which was the highest finish for a Dodge.

- Jamie McMurray drove his heart out, and for good reason. He got himself back into the top-35 and with a cushion too. Nice finish for him, and he could use some more good finishes with his place at Roush in question.

- Elliot Sadler did a great job, racing with a bad back and all yesterday. He managed a very respectable 15th place finish after not even being able to drive in practice on Saturday.

- Aric Almirola certainly didn't last long in the top-3 yesterday. From the green flag, until his engine blew, he just didn't have it in him to play with the big boys on NASCAR's shortest track.

- Race runner-up Jeff Gordon remarked afterward, "I wondered why I had no grip, until I got out of the car and saw how wet it was." It adds to my surprise that NASCAR didn't delay the race at all.

- It was a miserable day for Matt Kenseth.

Next up is Texas.

Aaron Larsen