Stock Car Insider - August 28th Issue

Upcoming Events in the World of NASCARand 11-top 10 finishes. His average finish this year is
There are only two more races until the Chase for13.5. Despite having an average outside the top 10,
the Championship gets underway. NASCAR has to beMark has been comfortably nestled inside the top 10
ecstatic with the standings heading into Californiain driver's points. That is until last night.
next week. Currently, the two biggest names inMark's 28th place finish in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol
NASCAR, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr, sit inknocked him down 6 spots in the driver standings to
5th and 9th place respectively. As you recall, both10th place (only 90 points in front of Kasey Kahne).
drivers missed the 2005 inaugural Chase for theThe question is not whether Mark Martin will qualify
Championship.for the 2006 Chase for the Championship (because I
Other drivers in the top 10 include previousbelieve he will). Instead, the question is will Mark be a
champions Matt Kenseth (2nd place), Tony Stewartcontender for the championship come November.
(8th place), and fan favorite Mark Martin (10th). GivenFor much of his career, Mark has always been the
this star-studded cast who has everything to lose,best 2nd place finisher. He is the Cal to the Ricky
next week's Sony HD 500 is building up to be a can'tBobby's of the NASCAR world. During his long career
miss race!he has always been the Andy Griffith on the track.
Of all current drivers with 2 or more career starts atHe did his part to be the driver who did things right
California, Carl Edwards has had the most success. Ineven if that meant giving up a victory.
4 starts, Carl has an average finish of 4th.For this final segment of the last season of his long
Also expect the following drivers to do well nextcareer, I want to see the devil in Martin come out. I
week:want to see him bulldoze his way to victory and to a
Jamie McMurray - Average Finish 7thchampionship that he has long deserved! So come on
Jimmie Johnson - Average Finish 8thMark! Stir up some stink and turn up the volume on
Kurt Busch - Average Finish 10thyour retirement tour!
Matt Kenseth - Average Finish 12thLast Week's Headlines
Next Week's Schedule:I must admit last week's Sharpie 500 was void of
Nextel Cup: @ California Speedwaythe excitement that typically is showcased at Bristol
9/01/06 - 03:40pm NASCAR Nextel Cup SONY HDraces. There were no last lap passes, no bump and
500 Qualifyingruns, and to our knowledge no punches thrown at
9/02/06 - 02:35pm NASCAR Nextel Cup SONY HDthe end of the race. Is this a sign that NASCAR has
500 Practicereigned in the drivers and their emotions too much? I
9/03/06 - 05:05pm NASCAR Nextel Cup SONY HDthink so.
500Bristol usually produces a few good feuds of the
Busch Series: @ California Speedwaysame quality as the Jerry Springer show. The 1/2
9/01/06 - 06:40pm NASCAR Busch AMERIQUESTmile, high-banked track has been likened to the
300 PracticeColiseums of Roman times. NASCAR fans flock to
9/02/06 - 03:40pm NASCAR Busch AMERIQUESTBristol to see the carnage and the drama on
300 Qualifyingshowcase. NASCAR must realize that its primary
8/12/06 - 02:10pm NASCAR Busch Seriesallure is the bumping and grinding and the hot
AMERIQUEST 300tempers that are not seen in other top-level racing
Craftsman Truck Series off until September 16th atcircuits.
New Hampshire International SpeedwayNone-the-less, there was still some good clean racing
Who's Hot?and entertainment to be had in the Sharpie 500. The
The killer bees are swarming and attacking anytop ten drivers further distanced themselves from
Nextel Cup driver who doesn't have the #17 on histhe rest of the pack. Currently, there are 90 points
door panel. Matt Kenseth is on a tear and peaking atseparating 10th from 11th place. This may not seem
the right time. Not that Mr. Consistency was ever inlike a big differential; but given that there are only 3
trouble of not making the Chase. For the entire 2006races remaining before the field for the Chase is set,
season, his average finish is 9.6. However, hisit may seem insurmountable to the 11th place driver,
performances over the last two weeks haveKasey Kahne.
secured his spot in the Chase and put him in positionThe smartest move of the day award is shared by
to overtake Jimmie Johnson for the top spot.the famous the two closest friends in NASCAR, Dale
Not until 2006 has Matt Kenseth excelled with theEarnhardt Jr and Carl Edwards. Both started deep in
new championship format. The previous long-standingthe pack after horrible qualifying attempts. In an early
format benefited consistent drivers like Kensethsequence of pit-stops, each elected to stay out to
more. In the new format, consistent performancesgain track position. Despite running on old tire, both
might get you into the Chase, but not necessarily winhung around in the top ten until the next caution flag
you a championship. Let's see if the #17 DeWaltwhen the entire field pitted. This allowed them to
team can stay in championship format after thestay in the top ten and get in pit-stop sequence with
driver points are re-calibrated for the Nextel Cupthe other leaders.
Chase for the Championship.Biggest mover of the day was Mark Martin. Instead
Who's Not?of securing his spot in the Chase, Mark slid to 10th
Mark Martin has been flying low on the radar forplace in points with a 28th place finish at Bristol. The
much of the 2006 season. The veteran driver hasveteran driver has his work cut out for him if he
yet to win a race this year, but has posted 5-top 5plans on qualifying for what will be his last Chase.