Dale Jr. totally had a chance to...?

contend for the win today if the fuel milage stratagey had played out. Am I right? And also, who else was shocked when Dale Jr. took second today about half way through the race? I know he qualified third, but when Dale Jr qualifies well, its normal for him to slip back a little. But today he held his own. Yeah..didn't get the results though..but 13th is good.