Stock Car Insider - June 19th Issue

Upcoming Events in the World of NASCARNextby lap 90, Kahne had rocketed back up into the top
week, the NASCAR Nextel Cup teams head west to10 for good. In the end, the race was determined on
the golden state of California to race in the Dodgepit road as Kasey edged out Carl Edwards by a foot
Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway. Infineonfor the win.Yesterdays performance is an indication
Raceway is one of two road courses on thethat not only Kasey Kahne has arrived but so has
NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit that helps add anotherEvernham Motorsports. Finally, Evernham Motorsports
dimension to an already challenging schedule. NASCARhas a driver in the top 3 who poses a serious threat
is the only American series that offers upevery weekend.
superspeedway, short track, and road courseShop for Kasey Kahne MerchandiseWho's Not?I hate
racing.The grueling 1.99 mile road course of Infineon isto pick on the wounded, but Tony Stewart is being
a challenge to both drivers and cars alike. The tracktagged this week in the Who's Not section. Through
offers up 12 turns and varrying elevetaion changes.no fault of his own, Tony was spun into the turn 3
Often times, even the most skilled road-coursewall on lap 22 in a race-ending wreck. The wreck
drivers suffer setbacks due to transmission or otherraises several serious questions, 1) Did the wreck
mechanical failures. Expect to see drivers lose gearsfurther irritate the already injured shoulder of Tony
as they down and up shift their 3000lb, 8502) is Tony feeling somewhat gun shy after having
horsepower rockets around the track.Next week atmultiple hard wrecks in the last several races and 3)
Infineon, expect Jeff Gordon & Tony Stewart tois Tony's, as well as his team's, confidence at a level
battle it out. Of the current drivers, both Gordon andwhere it needs at this point in the season?With only
Stewart rank in the top 5 for career finishes at road10 races left before the Nextel Cup Championship
course events.Also expect the following drivers to dofield is set, the competition from positions 6-13 is
well next week:Other drivers to note:Mark Martin -heating up. It is critical for the drivers currently in the
Average Finish 9thtop 10 to perform consistently. That means no more
Kevin Harvick - Average Finish 13th30+ place finishes for Tony. Ever since the All-Star
Robby Gordon - Average Finish 14thNext Week'sbreak, Smoke has slowly begun slipping down the
Schedule:Nextel Cup: @ Infineon Raceway (all times inpoints standings. He currently is in 6th place with only
EST)a 132 point cushion between him and the 11th place
6/24/06 - 2:10pm NASCAR Nextel Cup Dodge/Savedriver, Jeff Gordon.If Tony doesn't start finishing like
Mart 350 Practicethe Tony of old, he may end up on the outside
6/23/06 - 07:05pm NASCAR Nextel Cup Dodgelooking in when the Nextel Cup Chase for the
Save Mart 350 QualifyingChampionship begins.
6/25/06 - 03:40pm NASCAR Nextel Dodge/SaveShop for Tony Stewart merchandiseLast Week's
Mart 350Busch Series: @ The Milwaukee Mile (all timesHeadlinesYesterday's win at Michigan in the 3M
in Central)Performance 400 proved that Kasey Kahne is the
6/24/06 - 12:00pm NASCAR Busch Series AT&Tman when starting out front, and that he's not
250 PracticeWicked Witch of the West. While everyone was
6/24/06 - 05:05pm NASCAR Busch Series AT&Trunning for cover as the rain-ending downpour
250 Qualifyingstarted, Kasey strolled happily down pit-road soaking
6/24/06 - 08:05pm NASCAR Busch Series AT&Tup every last drop. To Kasey, after narrowly beating
250Craftsman Truck Series: @ The Milwaukee Mile (allCarl Edwards off of pit-road, I'm sure the rain felt like
times in Central)sun shining on a perfect day.Yesterday was also a
6/23/06 - 01:00pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Seriesstrong day for two drivers looking to qualify for the
TOYOTA TUNDRA MILWAUKEE 200 PracticeChase for the Championship, Greg Biffle and Carl
6/23/06 - 05:30pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesEdwards. Both finished in the top 5 boosting Greg
TOYOTA TUNDRA MILWAUKEE 200 QualifyingBiffle into the top 10, and Carl within 85 points of
6/23/06 - 08:15pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series10th.Another big mover of the day was Dale
TOYOTA TUNDRA MILWAUKEE 200Earnhardt Jr. Jr had one of the strongest cars of the
See complete 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Seriesrace, and at some points the strongest. In the end,
Race ScheduleWho's Hot?If you're a gambling junkie,Earnhardt finished 3rd and moved up into 4th place in
I have a tip for you! Bet on Kasey Kahne wheneverthe points standings.Jeff Gordon improved his
he wins the pole. In the modern era of NASCAR,chances for qualifying for the Chase for the
how often does the pole sitter win the race? NotChampionship by finishing in the top 10 and moving to
often! Just ask Ryan Newman. However, Kaseywithin 11 points of the 10th place standing. Expect
Kahne has been able to win multiple times startingJeff to continue to better his chances at making the
from the pole.Rain-shortened or not, Kahne had thetop 10 with a strong finish at Infineon Raceway next
car to beat yesterday in the 3M Performance 400.week.
After starting the race fast, Kahne suffered aSee complete 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Race
setback while pitting under green on lap 51; theScheduleThis article is provided to you by Everything
pitstop put Kahne down in 38th position. However,Sports, Inc.