by Stefen Anderson

After the turmoil left by Kurt Busch's exit from Penske Racing's 22 car last year, speculation was wild as to who was going to fill his shoes. Then Penske hired rising star A.J. Allmendinger and he failed a drug test earlier this season and was released. In the meantime, Sam Hornish Jr. filled in admirably (he arrived at Daytona for the July night race with only minutes to spare before the green flag waived) in the 22, but was obviously not the long term solution.

Matt Kenseth had also announced earlier this year that he would not be back with Roush Fenway Racing, leading to rumors of an impending deal with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Matt Kenseth will drive the 20 car for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2013 (photo: Jared C. Tilton)

Jeff Gluck of sbnation.com has reported that the long driver search for these three teams has finally come to an end. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will slide into the 17 car next year for Roush Fenway as Matt Kenseth will leave for Joe Gibbs' team and the 20 car. Joey Loganao, who Gibbs had offered a part-time Sprint Cup ride for 2013, will move to Roger Penske's team and drive the 22 full-time.

Joey Loganao will drive the 22 car for Roger Penske in 2013(photo: Jared C. Tilton)

Want more on the moves? Check out Jeff Gluck's piece on sbnation.com

by Stefen Anderson

With his grip on tenth place in the Sprint Cup points standings tenuous at best, Tony Stewart started the AdvoCare 500 from the pole position and promptly fell back... and back. Stewart was never a factor as the stronger cars from Hendrick Racing, Joe Gibbs racing and others freight-trained by. Smoke would finish in 22nd.

Early on in the race, teammates Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin traded the lead as they outclassed the rest of the field. As the track changed and the sun set, temperatures cooled. Drivers like Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. started to make their presence felt.

Just past halfway, Chase for the Cup hopeful Carl Edwards suffered a mechanical failure, effectively ending his championship aspirations. Then, with 54 laps remaining, Sprint Cup contender Jimmie Johnson was racing his way up among the top 10 when he wrecked, taking Ryan Newman and Sam Hornish Jr. with him.

With a big lead and a fast car under him, Martin Truex Jr. was leading until, with only 5 laps remaining, Jamie McMurray hit the wall. All the leaders pitted and as they had done all night long, Denny Hamlin's crew got their driver out of the pits quicker than anyone else. Hamlin did the rest, driving away from Jeff Gordon on the restart and holdiong on for the win. Gordon finished second, Brad Keselowski third, Martin Truex Jr. slipped to fourth and Kevin Harvick finished fifth.

Denny Hamlin wins the Atlanta night race. (photo: Kevin C. Cox)

This was Hamlin's fourth win of the season and his second in a row. The top 9 drivers in contention for the Chase for the Sprint Cup all clinched their spots. Tony Stewart, however, must place thirteenth or better to soldify his postion and the final two wildcard postions are still up for grabs.

Here's the rest of the final results.

Finish | Start | Car | Driver

1 7 11 Denny Hamlin
2 5 24 Jeff Gordon
3 21 2 Brad Keselowski
4 28 56 Martin Truex Jr.
5 24 29 Kevin Harvick
6 3 18 Kyle Busch
7 35 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
8 18 27 Paul Menard
9 4 17 Matt Kenseth
10 6 55 Mark Martin
11 15 22 Sam Hornish Jr.
12 26 31 Jeff Burton
13 16 51 Kurt Busch
14 27 78 Regan Smith
15 2 16 Greg Biffle
16 32 21 Trevor Bayne
17 10 9 Marcos Ambrose
18 9 20 Joey Logano
19 25 47 Bobby Labonte
20 40 83 Landon Cassill
21 33 42 Juan Montoya
22 1 14 Tony Stewart
23 11 5 Kasey Kahne
24 20 1 Jamie McMurray
25 22 36 Dave Blaney
26 41 93 Travis Kvapil
27 30 15 Clint Bowyer
28 14 34 David Ragan
29 23 10 Danica Patrick
30 42 32 T.J. Bell
31 29 38 David Gilliland
32 13 43 Aric Almirola
33 19 13 Casey Mears
34 8 48 Jimmie Johnson
35 17 39 Ryan Newman
36 12 99 Carl Edwards
37 36 195 Scott Speed
38 34 49 Jason Leffler
39 31 30 David Stremme
40 39 23 Scott Riggs
41 43 37 J.J. Yeley
42 38 191 Reed Sorenson
43 37 87 Joe Nemechek