The Asphalt Crucible
An in-depth academic analysis of the 2012 AAA Texas 500, a pivotal event in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
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Race Overview
Event Context
The 2012 AAA Texas 500 was a significant stock car race within the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, held on November 4, 2012. This event represented the 34th race of the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season and was the eighth of ten races in the critical Chase for the Sprint Cup, which determines the season champion. The race was contested over 334 laps, covering a total distance of 502.5 miles (808.695 km) on the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) asphalt quad-oval at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas.[1][4]
The Victor
The race concluded with Jimmie Johnson of Hendrick Motorsports securing his fifth victory of the 2012 season. This triumph was particularly impactful given its position late in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Brad Keselowski, a key championship contender, finished in second place, with Kyle Busch taking third. The average speed maintained throughout the race was 136.117 miles per hour (219.059 km/h).[4]
Conditions
The race day experienced scattered showers, with temperatures around 71 °F (22 °C). Winds were reported out of the NWN at 9 miles per hour (14 km/h). These weather conditions could have introduced additional variables for drivers and teams in terms of car setup and race strategy.[2]
The Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway
The 2012 AAA Texas 500 was hosted at the Texas Motor Speedway, a prominent permanent racing facility located in Fort Worth, Texas. This track is categorized as one of the ten intermediate tracks within the NASCAR circuit, known for its distinctive quad-oval configuration. Intermediate tracks are a crucial part of the NASCAR schedule, offering a balance of speed and technical driving challenges.[5]
Course Specifications
The standard track at Texas Motor Speedway measures 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in length and features four distinct turns. A key characteristic of the track's design is its banking: the turns are banked at 24 degrees, facilitating high-speed cornering. Both the front stretch, where the finish line is located, and the back stretch, opposite the front, feature a five-degree banking. This design influences vehicle dynamics and racing lines significantly. The facility boasts a substantial seating capacity, accommodating 191,122 spectators, underscoring its status as a major motorsport venue.[6]
Championship Context
Driver Standings Pre-Race
Entering the 2012 AAA Texas 500, the Drivers' Championship was intensely competitive. Jimmie Johnson held a narrow lead with 2,291 points, closely followed by Brad Keselowski with 2,289 points. Clint Bowyer was in third with 2,265 points, just three points ahead of Kasey Kahne and 23 points clear of Denny Hamlin. Jeff Gordon, Martin Truex Jr., Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, and Tony Stewart were also in close contention. Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounded out the top twelve, highlighting the high stakes of this late-season race.[7]
Manufacturer Standings Pre-Race
In the Manufacturers' Championship, Chevrolet held a significant lead with 222 points. Toyota was in second place with 197 points, 25 points behind Chevrolet. Ford occupied third position with 164 points, maintaining a 21-point advantage over Dodge, which was in fourth. These standings reflected the competitive landscape among the automotive brands in NASCAR.[8]
Defending Champion
Tony Stewart entered the 2012 AAA Texas 500 as the defending race winner, having claimed victory in the 2011 edition of the event. His previous success at this track added another layer of anticipation to his performance in the current race.[9]
Practice & Qualify
Practice Sessions
The race weekend included three practice sessions. The initial session on Friday lasted 90 minutes. Martin Truex Jr. recorded the fastest time at 28.310 seconds, closely followed by Mark Martin. Brad Keselowski, Clint Bowyer, Tony Stewart, and Aric Almirola also demonstrated strong pace, with Matt Kenseth remaining within half a second of Truex Jr.'s leading time.[10][11]
The second and third practice sessions were held on Saturday, lasting 50 and 60 minutes, respectively. In the second session, Keselowski was fastest with 28.888 seconds, marginally quicker than Jimmie Johnson. Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, and Clint Bowyer also posted competitive times. Keselowski maintained his speed in the final practice, leading with a time of 29.300 seconds, followed by Bowyer, Kenseth, and Johnson.[14][15]
Qualifying Procedure
A total of 46 cars were entered for qualifying, but due to NASCAR's established qualifying procedure, only 43 could advance to the main race. Jimmie Johnson secured his 29th career pole position and his fourth of the 2012 season with a time of 28.261 seconds. He was joined on the front row by Greg Biffle. Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, and Martin Truex Jr. completed the top five qualifiers. Notably, Stephen Leicht, Kelly Bires, and David Stremme were the three drivers who did not qualify for the race.[3][12][13]>
Official Results
Race Outcome
The 2012 AAA Texas 500 culminated in a decisive victory for Jimmie Johnson, who led a significant portion of the race. The final standings reflect a highly competitive event, with several drivers earning valuable championship points. The table below provides a comprehensive overview of the official race results, detailing each driver's finishing position, starting grid, car number, team, manufacturer, laps completed, and points awarded.[4]
Post-Race Standings
Driver Championship
Following the 2012 AAA Texas 500, the Drivers' Championship standings saw Jimmie Johnson extend his lead, now holding 2,339 points. Brad Keselowski remained in second place with 2,332 points, a deficit of 7 points. Clint Bowyer held third with 2,303 points. The race significantly impacted the championship battle, with only two races remaining in the season. The table below details the top twelve positions in the Drivers' Championship after this pivotal event.[16]
Manufacturer Championship
The Manufacturers' Championship also saw shifts following the Texas 500. Chevrolet maintained its lead, increasing its total to 231 points. Toyota remained in second place with 201 points, now 30 points behind Chevrolet. Ford held third position with 167 points, while Dodge was in fourth with 149 points. These standings are crucial for manufacturers vying for season-long recognition.[8]>
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not official race documentation or professional analysis. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for official NASCAR records, motorsport statistics, or expert commentary. Always refer to official sources for definitive race results, standings, and historical data. Never disregard official information because of something you have read on this website.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.