| Upcoming Events in the World of NASCARThere | | | | 10th place (only 90 points in front of Kasey |
| are only two more races until the Chase for | | | | Kahne). The question is not whether Mark |
| the Championship gets underway. NASCAR has to | | | | Martin will qualify for the 2006 Chase for |
| be ecstatic with the standings heading into | | | | the Championship (because I believe he will). |
| California next week. Currently, the two | | | | Instead, the question is will Mark be a |
| biggest names in NASCAR, Jeff Gordon and Dale | | | | contender for the championship come |
| Earnhardt Jr, sit in 5th and 9th place | | | | November.For much of his career, Mark has |
| respectively. As you recall, both drivers | | | | always been the best 2nd place finisher. He |
| missed the 2005 inaugural Chase for the | | | | is the Cal to the Ricky Bobby's of the NASCAR |
| Championship.Other drivers in the top 10 | | | | world. During his long career he has always |
| include previous champions Matt Kenseth (2nd | | | | been the Andy Griffith on the track. He did |
| place), Tony Stewart (8th place), and fan | | | | his part to be the driver who did things |
| favorite Mark Martin (10th). Given this | | | | right even if that meant giving up a |
| star-studded cast who has everything to lose, | | | | victory.For this final segment of the last |
| next week's Sony HD 500 is building up to be | | | | season of his long career, I want to see the |
| a can't miss race!Of all current drivers with | | | | devil in Martin come out. I want to see him |
| 2 or more career starts at California, Carl | | | | bulldoze his way to victory and to a |
| Edwards has had the most success. In 4 | | | | championship that he has long deserved! So |
| starts, Carl has an average finish of | | | | come on Mark! Stir up some stink and turn up |
| 4th.Also expect the following drivers to do | | | | the volume on your retirement tour!Last |
| well next week:Jamie McMurray - Average | | | | Week's HeadlinesI must admit last week's |
| Finish 7thJimmie Johnson - Average Finish | | | | Sharpie 500 was void of the excitement that |
| 8thKurt Busch - Average Finish 10thMatt | | | | typically is showcased at Bristol races. |
| Kenseth - Average Finish 12thNext Week's | | | | There were no last lap passes, no bump and |
| Schedule:Nextel Cup: @ California Speedway9 | | | | runs, and to our knowledge no punches thrown |
| 01/06 - 03:40pm NASCAR Nextel Cup SONY HD 500 | | | | at the end of the race. Is this a sign that |
| Qualifying9/02/06 - 02:35pm NASCAR Nextel Cup | | | | NASCAR has reigned in the drivers and their |
| SONY HD 500 Practice9/03/06 - 05:05pm NASCAR | | | | emotions too much? I think so.Bristol usually |
| Nextel Cup SONY HD 500Busch Series: @ | | | | produces a few good feuds of the same quality |
| California Speedway9/01/06 - 06:40pm NASCAR | | | | as the Jerry Springer show. The 1/2 mile, |
| Busch AMERIQUEST 300 Practice9/02/06 - | | | | high-banked track has been likened to the |
| 03:40pm NASCAR Busch AMERIQUEST 300 | | | | Coliseums of Roman times. NASCAR fans flock |
| Qualifying8/12/06 - 02:10pm NASCAR Busch | | | | to Bristol to see the carnage and the drama |
| Series AMERIQUEST 300Craftsman Truck Series | | | | on showcase. NASCAR must realize that its |
| off until September 16th at New Hampshire | | | | primary allure is the bumping and grinding |
| International SpeedwayWho's Hot?The killer | | | | and the hot tempers that are not seen in |
| bees are swarming and attacking any Nextel | | | | other top-level racing |
| Cup driver who doesn't have the #17 on his | | | | circuits.None-the-less, there was still some |
| door panel. Matt Kenseth is on a tear and | | | | good clean racing and entertainment to be had |
| peaking at the right time. Not that Mr. | | | | in the Sharpie 500. The top ten drivers |
| Consistency was ever in trouble of not making | | | | further distanced themselves from the rest of |
| the Chase. For the entire 2006 season, his | | | | the pack. Currently, there are 90 points |
| average finish is 9.6. However, his | | | | separating 10th from 11th place. This may not |
| performances over the last two weeks have | | | | seem like a big differential; but given that |
| secured his spot in the Chase and put him in | | | | there are only 3 races remaining before the |
| position to overtake Jimmie Johnson for the | | | | field for the Chase is set, it may seem |
| top spot.Not until 2006 has Matt Kenseth | | | | insurmountable to the 11th place driver, |
| excelled with the new championship format. | | | | Kasey Kahne.The smartest move of the day |
| The previous long-standing format benefited | | | | award is shared by the famous the two closest |
| consistent drivers like Kenseth more. In the | | | | friends in NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Carl |
| new format, consistent performances might get | | | | Edwards. Both started deep in the pack after |
| you into the Chase, but not necessarily win | | | | horrible qualifying attempts. In an early |
| you a championship. Let's see if the #17 | | | | sequence of pit-stops, each elected to stay |
| DeWalt team can stay in championship format | | | | out to gain track position. Despite running |
| after the driver points are re-calibrated for | | | | on old tire, both hung around in the top ten |
| the Nextel Cup Chase for the | | | | until the next caution flag when the entire |
| Championship.Who's Not?Mark Martin has been | | | | field pitted. This allowed them to stay in |
| flying low on the radar for much of the 2006 | | | | the top ten and get in pit-stop sequence with |
| season. The veteran driver has yet to win a | | | | the other leaders.Biggest mover of the day |
| race this year, but has posted 5-top 5 and | | | | was Mark Martin. Instead of securing his spot |
| 11-top 10 finishes. His average finish this | | | | in the Chase, Mark slid to 10th place in |
| year is 13.5. Despite having an average | | | | points with a 28th place finish at Bristol. |
| outside the top 10, Mark has been comfortably | | | | The veteran driver has his work cut out for |
| nestled inside the top 10 in driver's points. | | | | him if he plans on qualifying for what will |
| That is until last night.Mark's 28th place | | | | be his last Chase.This article is provided to |
| finish in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol knocked | | | | you by Everything Sports, Inc. is owned and |
| him down 6 spots in the driver standings to | | | | operated by Everything Sports, Inc. |