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