Championship picture changes with Johnson’s win at Martinsville

Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Martinsville once again belongs to Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48  team. With the win today Johnson secures the series points lead from Brad Keselowski. Keselowski, who started the day seven points ahead of "Five-Time," is now two points back with only three races remaining.

The lead change wasn't the only shake up in the points. Denny Hamlin was forced into the garage midway through the race after electrical issues caused the No. 11 Toyota to lose power multiple times over the course of a green-flag run. Hamlin’s misfortune, which also included  two pit road speeding penalties, allowed for Clint Bowyer to move up in the rankings. Kasey Kahne gained one point finishing third and joked saying that at this rate he might catch up to the leaders by next year.

The Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota duo of Brian Vickers and Bowyer had solid runs with Bowyer leading a race high 151 laps. After the race Bowyer said, “I thought we had a car capable of winning. As soon as it got cool, I got a little bit tight in, but we lost track position when they beat us out of the pits there and I never could regain it.” Bowyer is now third in the points and 26 behind Johnson, still in the title hunt.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. returned to the track for the first time since a concussion post-Talladega, maintaining a top 10 car for most of the afternoon, the driver and team look refreshed all weekend. Contact from Sam Hornish Jr. and Carl Edwards derailed the hopes of finishing strong. In a typical short track deal, Hornish touched Edwards who then touched Earnhardt Jr. That contact resulted in a 21st-place finish for the No. 88 team. For Jr Nation's loyal fans, they will take it, just happy to have their driver back behind the wheel.

Final Results:

1. Johnson
2. Ky. Busch
3. Kahne
4. Almirola
5. Bowyer
6. Keselowski
7. Gordon
8. Vickers
9. Labonte
10. Biffle
11. Newman
12. Menard
13. Hornish Jr.
14. Kenseth
15. Ku. Busch
16. Logano
17. McMurray
18. Edwards
19. Cassill
20. Montoya
21. Earnhardt Jr.
22. Burton
23. Truex Jr.
24. Ambrose
25. Mears
26. Ragan
27. Stewart
28. Allemendinger
29. Schrader
30. Gilliland
31. Kvapil
32. Harvick
33. Hamlin
34. Leicht
35. Blaney
36. Reutimann
37. Speed
38. Wise
39. McDowell
40. Stremme
41. Nemechek
42. Riggs
43. Sorenson