No one was more aware of the tough mountain that the 48 team would have to climb to claim the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup championship more than they did. Jimmie Johnson and his Lowe's Chevrolet crew gave all they could to try to make up the 20 point deficit on Brad Keselowski but a failed rear gear sealed the fate for the team and any chance they had to catch Keselowski's Miller Lite Dodge crew. Adding insult to injury was a miscue in the pits, a lug nut not being installed which forced Johnson to return to add the missing nut.
Number/Driver, Lap, Infraction, Penalty
#11 Denny Hamlin, Pre-Race to the rear, tail end, backup car
#16 Greg Biffle, Pre-Race to the rear, tail end, backup car
#20 Joey Logano, Pre-Race to the rear, tail end, backup car
#51 Regan Smith, Pre-Race to the rear, tail end, backup car
#6 Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., 154, Pitting before pit road is open, tail end, garage
#36 Dave Blaney, 156, Pitting before pit road is open, tail end
#5 Kasey Kahne, 202, Speed-Entering pits, pass thru
#48 Jimmie Johnson, 213, Lug nut(s) not installed, pit