So sorry I missed writing a preview for Texas. Got side tracked on Friday. Had I predicted a winner, Jimmie Johnson would have been my pick. After all, he has won the past three Fall Texas races. Due to rain on Saturday, Cup drivers got only one practice round. Brad Keslowski won the pole for the race.

As the green flag waved, people wondered what the race held in store for them. Well, they found out pretty quickly. Less than ten laps into the race, Joey Logano, who was trying to race his way back into championship contention, blew a tire. The resulting damage from the flapping tire destroyed back of Logano’s car. He ended up finishing outside the top-35, and he now has to win at Phoenix to advance in the Chase.

Logano was not the last to suffer tire problems. Multiple drivers, including Kevin Harvick, Kyle Larson, and Tony Stewart, suffered tire failures. Harvick was the only driver to rebound from his tire woes. And then he blew another tire. And rebounded, again.

While this was happening, Brad Keslowski dominated the race. He led 312 of 334 laps. Brad came into this race needing a win to have a shot to advance in the Chase. With so many lap led, it seemed he was destined to win. But does the fastest car always win? Ask Dale Earnhardt Sr.  He’ll enlighten you.

Keslowski wasn’t unchallenged, but every time a competitor approached him, the challenger had a problem. Tires, getting loose. Some even passed him, and then had problems. However, as the final 75 laps rolled around, Martin Truex Jr. suddenly challenged Brad. Truex was clearly faster, but Brad was well ahead of him. Until the final caution came out with about 20 laps to go.

All drivers went to pit road, and as they exited, here was their lineup: Keslowski, Truex, Johnson, and Harvick. They all sound some how familiar…   Anyway, Truex was now within striking distance of Keslowski. The green flag waved, and Brad and Martin raced side-by-side into turn one. The two were side by side for a couple of laps, when suddenly Brad slid up the track and bumped Truex. The contact caused Martin’s car to lose speed, and he eventually fell to eighth place. However, Brad’s car lost speed. And Johnson was right on his tail.

Lap after lap Keslowski and Johnson battled. Six time champion vs. the new champion. 48 vs. 2. Legend vs. star in the making. An epic battle between two amazing drivers. Johnson faster, but Keslowski leading. Lap after lap the two battled. When Johnson went low, Brad went low. When Jimmie went high, Keslowski went high.

Then, with five laps to go, Johnson managed to get a run off turn 2. Driving to the inside of Brad, he drove his car to the limit trying to pass Brad. For about half a lap they were side-by-side, and then Johnson managed to slide up the track in front of the two car. This gives me a sense of Deja Vu. Just look up Texas 2012. Almost an exact match too this race.

Johnson won his sixth race at Texas, his fourth Fall race in a row, and has now won at least one race in every Chase to date. While Johnson has already been eliminated from the Chase, this is a great confidence boost to end the year. Keslowski is now in a situation where, like his teammate Logano, he needs a win next week to advance in the Chase. Phoenix is going to be an exciting race.