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