Hot Start For JGR Stable
Through two races, Joe Gibbs Racing has placed all three of its drivers in the top 10 in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points. It’s been awhile since they’ve accomplished the feat. Not since after Homestead in 2008 – Tony Stewart’s last race with the organization – has all three JGR members ranked in the top 10.

At the top spot sits Denny Hamlin, winner of Sunday’s race at Phoenix International Raceway. Hamlin, who scored just one win all of last season, earned a little retribution from a Phoenix stumble that cost him the championship in 2010. It was also crew chief Darian Grubb’s first win with JGR after winning the championship with Tony Stewart and Stewart-Haas Racing last season. Grubb has now won six of the last 12 races. Another nugget: With the win, the No. 11 tied the No. 43 for most wins all time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 198.

Joey Logano nabbed his second-consecutive top-10 finish, and is one of five drivers to finish in the top 10 at both Daytona and Phoenix.

Kyle Busch picked up eight position spots, and currently sits ninth. Figure on the upward swing continuing. The Las Vegas native won at his home track in 2009.

POINT STANDINGS | CUP SERIES
10 Carl Edwards
9 Kyle Busch
8 Joey Logano
7 Mark Martin
6 Martin Truex Jr.
5 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
4 Matt Kenseth drops 3 spots
3 Kevin Harvick
2 Greg Biffle
1 Denny Hamlin takes over the points lead, by 6