Jimmie Johnson won his third race during the 2009 Chase and his 17th Chase race of his career in the NASCAR Banking 500 to pad his points' lead.
Our View It's too soon to give the championship to Johnson, but in order to beat him, it's becoming apparent that the other Chasers are going to have to win.
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October 17, 2009
Lowe's Pit stall selections
Jayski has posted the pit stall selections for the NASCAR Banking 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway and, as expected pole sitter Jimmie Johnson has the last box exiting pit road.
Our View Mark Martin, Kasey Kahne and Matt Kenseth are the other drivers with an opening in front of them. Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon and Mike Bliss in the No. 71 this week have openings behind them.
As well as he qualified and as strong as he ran in the Nationwide race, Bliss should try to run the distance. If he "starts and parks," however, Bobby Labonte inherits an opening as he is immediately ahead.
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Our View Mark Martin, Kasey Kahne and Matt Kenseth are the other drivers with an opening in front of them. Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon and Mike Bliss in the No. 71 this week have openings behind them.
As well as he qualified and as strong as he ran in the Nationwide race, Bliss should try to run the distance. If he "starts and parks," however, Bobby Labonte inherits an opening as he is immediately ahead.
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Top-10 Quality Passers: Lowe's #NASCAR
Passing a car running in the Top 15 while under a green flag.
Number of Races: 9
NASCAR Banking 500 Pre-Race
For point-paying races in current and past four years, at this track.
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Number of Races: 9
NASCAR Banking 500 Pre-Race
For point-paying races in current and past four years, at this track.
Lowe's Motor Speedway
| Rank | Driver | Avg. Fin | Avg. Quality Passes | Total |
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 9.8 | 50.7 | 456 |
| 2 | Kyle Busch | 17.1 | 46.7 | 420 |
| 3 | Kasey Kahne | 10.2 | 39.6 | 356 |
| 4 | Mark Martin | 15.0 | 35.9 | 323 |
| 5 | Jeff Burton | 11.7 | 35.1 | 316 |
| 6 | Joey Logano | 9.0 | 34.0 | 34 |
| 7 | Carl Edwards | 10.0 | 33.0 | 297 |
| 8 | Brian Vickers | 20.0 | 32.9 | 263 |
| 9 | Denny Hamlin | 15.6 | 32.5 | 260 |
| 10 | Greg Biffle | 16.9 | 30.8 | 277 |
Top-10 Avg. Running Position: Lowe's
Average Running Position
Sum of driver position on each lap - divided by the laps run in the race.
Number of Races: 9
NASCAR Banking 500 Pre-Race
For point-paying races in current and past four years, at this track.
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Sum of driver position on each lap - divided by the laps run in the race.
Number of Races: 9
NASCAR Banking 500 Pre-Race
For point-paying races in current and past four years, at this track.
Lowe's Motor Speedway
| Rank | Driver | Avg. Fin | Running Position |
| 1 | Joey Logano | 9.0 | 6.9 |
| 2 | Jimmie Johnson | 9.8 | 7.0 |
| 3 | Kyle Busch | 17.1 | 11.0 |
| 4 | Kasey Kahne | 10.2 | 12.0 |
| 5 | Mark Martin | 15.0 | 12.1 |
| 6 | Jeff Burton | 11.7 | 14.8 |
| 7 | Denny Hamlin | 15.6 | 15.4 |
| 8 | Carl Edwards | 10.0 | 15.8 |
| 9 | Brian Vickers | 20.0 | 16.0 |
| 10 | Greg Biffle | 16.9 | 16.5 |
Top-10 Driver Ratings: Lowe's
Formula combining the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.
Number of Races: 9
NASCAR Banking 500 Pre-Race
For point-paying races in current and past four years, at this track.Lowe's Motor Speedway
| Rank | Driver | Avg. Fin | Best Rating | Avg. |
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 9.8 | 128.8 | 116.6 |
| 2 | Joey Logano | 9.0 | 106.0 | 106.0 |
| 3 | Kyle Busch | 17.1 | 139.4 | 104.7 |
| 4 | Kasey Kahne | 10.2 | 143.6 | 99.5 |
| 5 | Mark Martin | 15.0 | 114.0 | 91.7 |
| 6 | Brian Vickers | 20.0 | 121.6 | 91.7 |
| 7 | Carl Edwards | 10.0 | 104.0 | 90.7 |
| 8 | Greg Biffle | 16.9 | 116.5 | 88.8 |
| 9 | Jeff Burton | 11.7 | 127.7 | 88.4 |
| 10 | Jeff Gordon | 21.8 | 128.2 | 85.6 |