From the August, 2006 issue of Stock Car Insider

Stock Car Insider - August 28th Issue

Upcoming Events in the World of NASCAR

There are only two more races until the Chase for the Championship gets underway. NASCAR has to be ecstatic with the standings heading into California next week. Currently, the two biggest names in NASCAR, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr, sit in 5th and 9th place respectively. As you recall, both drivers missed the 2005 inaugural Chase for the Championship.

Other drivers in the top 10 include previous champions Matt Kenseth (2nd place), Tony Stewart (8th place), and fan favorite Mark Martin (10th). Given this star-studded cast who has everything to lose, next week's Sony HD 500 is building up to be a can't miss race!

Of all current drivers with 2 or more career starts at California, Carl Edwards has had the most success. In 4 starts, Carl has an average finish of 4th.

Also expect the following drivers to do well next week:

Jamie McMurray - Average Finish 7th
Jimmie Johnson - Average Finish 8th
Kurt Busch - Average Finish 10th
Matt Kenseth - Average Finish 12th

Next Week's Schedule:

Nextel Cup: @ California Speedway
9/01/06 - 03:40pm NASCAR Nextel Cup SONY HD 500 Qualifying
9/02/06 - 02:35pm NASCAR Nextel Cup SONY HD 500 Practice
9/03/06 - 05:05pm NASCAR Nextel Cup SONY HD 500

Busch Series: @ California Speedway
9/01/06 - 06:40pm NASCAR Busch AMERIQUEST 300 Practice
9/02/06 - 03:40pm NASCAR Busch AMERIQUEST 300 Qualifying
8/12/06 - 02:10pm NASCAR Busch Series AMERIQUEST 300

Craftsman Truck Series off until September 16th at New Hampshire International Speedway

See complete 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Race Schedule

Who's Hot?

The killer bees are swarming and attacking any Nextel Cup driver who doesn't have the #17 on his door panel. Matt Kenseth is on a tear and peaking at the right time. Not that Mr. Consistency was ever in trouble of not making the Chase. For the entire 2006 season, his average finish is 9.6. However, his performances over the last two weeks have secured his spot in the Chase and put him in position to overtake Jimmie Johnson for the top spot.

Not until 2006 has Matt Kenseth excelled with the new championship format. The previous long-standing format benefited consistent drivers like Kenseth more. In the new format, consistent performances might get you into the Chase, but not necessarily win you a championship. Let's see if the #17 DeWalt team can stay in championship format after the driver points are re-calibrated for the Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship.

Shop for Matt Kenseth Merchandise

Who's Not?

Mark Martin has been flying low on the radar for much of the 2006 season. The veteran driver has yet to win a race this year, but has posted 5-top 5 and 11-top 10 finishes. His average finish this year is 13.5. Despite having an average outside the top 10, Mark has been comfortably nestled inside the top 10 in driver's points. That is until last night.

Mark's 28th place finish in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol knocked him down 6 spots in the driver standings to 10th place (only 90 points in front of Kasey Kahne). The question is not whether Mark Martin will qualify for the 2006 Chase for the Championship (because I believe he will). Instead, the question is will Mark be a contender for the championship come November.

For much of his career, Mark has always been the best 2nd place finisher. He is the Cal to the Ricky Bobby's of the NASCAR world. During his long career he has always been the Andy Griffith on the track. He did his part to be the driver who did things right even if that meant giving up a victory.

For this final segment of the last season of his long career, I want to see the devil in Martin come out. I want to see him bulldoze his way to victory and to a championship that he has long deserved! So come on Mark! Stir up some stink and turn up the volume on your retirement tour!

Shop for Mark Martin merchandise

Last Week's Headlines

I must admit last week's Sharpie 500 was void of the excitement that typically is showcased at Bristol races. There were no last lap passes, no bump and runs, and to our knowledge no punches thrown at the end of the race. Is this a sign that NASCAR has reigned in the drivers and their emotions too much? I think so.

Bristol usually produces a few good feuds of the same quality as the Jerry Springer show. The 1/2 mile, high-banked track has been likened to the Coliseums of Roman times. NASCAR fans flock to Bristol to see the carnage and the drama on showcase. NASCAR must realize that its primary allure is the bumping and grinding and the hot tempers that are not seen in other top-level racing circuits.

None-the-less, there was still some good clean racing and entertainment to be had in the Sharpie 500. The top ten drivers further distanced themselves from the rest of the pack. Currently, there are 90 points separating 10th from 11th place. This may not seem like a big differential; but given that there are only 3 races remaining before the field for the Chase is set, it may seem insurmountable to the 11th place driver, Kasey Kahne.

The smartest move of the day award is shared by the famous the two closest friends in NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Carl Edwards. Both started deep in the pack after horrible qualifying attempts. In an early sequence of pit-stops, each elected to stay out to gain track position. Despite running on old tire, both hung around in the top ten until the next caution flag when the entire field pitted. This allowed them to stay in the top ten and get in pit-stop sequence with the other leaders.

Biggest mover of the day was Mark Martin. Instead of securing his spot in the Chase, Mark slid to 10th place in points with a 28th place finish at Bristol. The veteran driver has his work cut out for him if he plans on qualifying for what will be his last Chase.

See complete 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Race Schedule