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Jimmie Johnson wins SpongeBob SquarePants 400: 5 takeaways from Kansas

By Charles Rahrig V

May 9, 2015; Kansas City, KS, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Spongebob Squarepants 400 at Kansas Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2015; Kansas City, KS, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Spongebob Squarepants 400 at Kansas Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jimmie Johnson picked up a victory under the sea Saturday, when he won the SpongeBob SquarePants 400.

On a night where SpongeBob SquarePants was the theme of the race, it is only fitting water was the theme of the evening.

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As the drivers raced each other around the track, things ended up like SpongeBob SquarePants at boating school, everything came to a halt.

About a quarter of the way through the race, rain brought everything to a halt and gave some credence to the race being hosted by everyone’s favorite underwater character.

When the race picked back up, it was Martin Truex Jr., who was second in the points standings coming into the night, who was dominating on the track. Eventually Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick, who have been trading victories with each other lately, worked their way to the front of the race.

Johnson and Harvick once again stole the show as it was the 12th time that the duo finished No. 1 and No. 2 when the checkered flag waved. It was the 10th time that Johnson got the better of those visits. That’s almost as good of a percentage as SpongeBob’s boss Mr. Krabs has when he stops his pesky business rival Plankton from stealing the krabby patty secret formula.

On a night where SpongeBob’s face was plastered everywhere, Plankton was up to his evil schemes and mayonnaise was an instrument, Jimmie Johnson picked up his third win of the season.

Here are five takeaways from a nautical adventure in Kansas.

1. The SpongeBob SquarePants 400 has the best trophy

The Monster Mile at Dover has always been one of the best trophies in NASCAR. Stand back Dover, SpongeBob SquarePants is making his way on into the best trophy race.

The trophy was big yellow and had SpongeBob’s giant smile right on it.

Look at that giant gap-toothed smile and try to tell yourself there’s a better trophy out there. To many, the thought of a popular children’s show sponsoring a race is probably eye-roll inducing. However, NASCAR and SpongeBob SquarePants absolutely killed it with the way they sponsored this event. Whether it was the giant SpongeBob head that the drivers walked out or the giant SpongeBob and Patrick mascots walking around, everything was spot on.

Jimmie Johnson even got buried under a giant mound of yellow confetti.

2. Erik Jones is gonna be great but learning experiences are to be had right now

Erik Jones stepped into the car for Denny Hamlin a few weeks ago and drove admirably for Joe Gibbs Racing at just 18 years old.

This week he drove Kyle Busch’s No. 18 and showed off his tremendous potential and got as high as the No. 4 spot at one point.

At just 18 years old, the things Jones is doing on the track thus far are incredible, but the young driver learned Saturday night, that bad luck can strike at any time.

The good news is that he was able to get back out on the track to finish the race. Rather than calling it a night with a young driver, the team has a lot of confidence in their young driver to do everything they can to get him on the track.

Highs and lows will come for Jones, but he will get better with each race. Even more impressively was how he owned up to wrecking after the race, rather than putting the onus on the cars. He’s wise beyond his years.

3. Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick continue to dominate

This has been a talking point almost every single race this season and it doesn’t look like it’s going to change any time soon. It’s no surprise that they’re two of the best in the sport, but the way they’re hanging around the top two spots every week is ridiculous.

Harvick is currently No. 1 in the standings while Johnson sits in No. 3 just two spots off of Martin Truex Jr. With each race now, you almost expect Harvick or Johnson to win. Having already earned a spot in the chase for their wins, the two have nothing at all to lose and are playing with house money.

The real stretch of the season begins as summer approaches and some surprise car always comes in and shakes up the order of dominance. Will it be Truex to knock Harvick and Johnson off their game, or will Jeff Gordon, who has had fast cars every race but hasn’t put it together for a win yet, come in and start grabbing victories?

Don’t sleep on Paul Menard either, he’s been sneakily hanging around the top lately.

4. Denny Hamlin was a real Squidward Saturday.

Much like Squidward Tentacles, who is always upset with SpongeBob or Patrick, Denny Hamlin wasn’t happy with NASCAR Saturday night.

After cutting his tire on the car of Sam Hornish Jr., Hamlin would wreck right into the wall of Turn 1.

Even worse for Hamlin, no caution was called right away and Hamlin had to work his way around another lap to get into the pits and get four new tires.

Afterward, Hamlin was very critical of NASCAR for not throwing the caution flag right away citing that he could have been hit or worse.

Hamlin isn’t the first to call out NASCAR on their late caution this season either. Carl Edwards was very vocal after he spun out at Talladega last week.

Safe to say, just like Squidward, Hamlin was in a bad mood after the race. No word on if he can play a clarinet like Mr. Tentacles.

5. Crew Chiefs smile too!

When you’re a crew chief in NASCAR, you aren’t smiling unless your driver is in the winner circle. Every time a camera pans to a crew chief, they have a stone cold look on their face.

After watching his driver Jimmie Johnson pick up his third win of the season, his crew chief Chad Knaus was happy to say the least.

Not only was he smiling, but he was hanging out with all the characters from SpongeBob in victory lane.

Everyone in that picture was smiling except for Denny Haml…err Squidward.

It’s good to see a crew chief who works hard every week to put his driver in the best spots get rewarded, and this week he got to celebrate with some underwater friends.

Conclusion:

The SpongeBob SquarePants 400 lived up to the billing and was one of the most fun races this season. Kansas went all the way with the theme that sponsored their race and put on a show for everyone.

The creative trophies and characters, along with great racing from the best drivers made for a great showing.

Hopefully SpongeBob and pals will be back again for next year’s race when the drivers return to Kansas.

Now it’s onto the All-Star Race, where NASCAR’s best will once again shine under the lights.

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