Top drivers close in Chase for the Championship
Two races into the Chase for the Championship and the top three drivers are separated by only four points.
Only 46 points separate the top seven drivers. It can't get much closer.
Two down, eight races to go. This should be where Chase experience counts.
"My experience last year in the Chase and winning [it] has helped me a lot for this year's mental approach," reigning champion Jimmie Johnson said on a Tuesday conference call. "It really gives the advantage to past champions.
"I'm not saying that a guy like Denny Hamlin or even [first-time Chaser] Clint Bowyer can't do it. But it's a tough, tough deal to fight through week after week. You find all the good things out about yourself, and even the bad things.
"It really tests everyone's emotions, not only the drivers, but the crew members [and] crew chiefs."
Only Johnson and Matt Kenseth have competed in all four Chases. Johnson is third in the standings. Matt Kenseth is 10th.
Both Johnson and Carl Edwards, winner of Sunday's race at Dover, Del., expect the Chase to stay close for several more races.
"I think it's going to stay close for a long time," Johnson said. "Once we get down to two races to go, there might be more of a clear favorite.
"Denny, in 12th [place], is not that far out Denny Hamlin is 158 points behind leader Jeff Gordon. I was a lot further out [last year] and came back."
Johnson was 165 points off the pace last year after three races.
"It's tougher this year, because you have two more cars in the mix," Johnson said, referring from the expanded field, from 10 drivers to 12.
Following his victory at Dover, Edwards said: "Everybody's points-racing very well. People aren't making mistakes. I just can't pick a guy out of the Chase that can't win the thing."
Sunday's Cup race at Kansas will have special meaning for Edwards, of Columbia, Mo., and Bowyer, of Emporia, Kan.
"Last year," Edwards said, "we weren't running that well at Kansas [he finished 14th] and Clint was leading the race. I thought, that would be so cool to lead a Cup race at Kansas."
Bowyer, in his second season in the Cup series, says he's still treated like a regular person in Emporia.
"Back home, I'm just Clint," Bowyer said. "They don't look at you any differently than they did before. They support you, and that's very gratifying."
Kolber full of energy
With the busy schedule Suzy Kolber is keeping for ESPN/ABC, it's a good thing she doesn't wear out easily.
With the busy schedule Suzy Kolber is keeping for ESPN/ABC, it's a good thing she doesn't wear out easily.
"I have a lot of energy," a smiling Kolber said before Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Dover. "I'm a workhorse."
Seated on a golf cart in the ESPN/ABC compound on a delightful sunny morning, Kolber talked about being a sideline reporter for "Monday Night Football" and on-site studio host for "NASCAR Countdown."
When ESPN/ABC executives proposed the dual role last January, Kolber dismissed the idea.
"Then it came up again and again," the Upper Dublin High graduate said. "Then I started thinking seriously about it, because it was an unbelievable compliment to be part of the return of NASCAR to ESPN and ABC."
The next step was working out the logistics, so Kolber could travel to the racing and football venues on consecutive days. She said she had to feel comfortable "in being prepared and giving both sports 100 percent."
With that mission accomplished, Kolber is enjoying her first exposure to NASCAR.
"Everybody is so nice and so approachable," she said. "One of my favorite things is the very last interview on our 'Countdown' show, I get to do down on the grid with a driver. To me, that is so in the moment."
'08 Cup dates set
As expected, Pocono and Dover are keeping their traditional NASCAR racing dates next year.
As expected, Pocono and Dover are keeping their traditional NASCAR racing dates next year.
Pocono hosts Cup races on June 8 and Aug. 3. Dover's dates are June 1 and Sept. 21. Next year, the series will be called Sprint Cup.
--
LifeLock 400
Kansas Speedway
Kansas City, Kan.
When: Sunday, 2 p.m.
TV/Radio: Channel 6/WXTU (92.5-FM), WNPV (1440-AM)
Race course: 1.5-mile oval
Race distance: 267 laps/400 miles
Last year's race winner: Tony Stewart
Last year's pole winner: Kasey Kahne, 178.377 mph
Track qualifying record: Matt Kenseth, 180.856 mph (October 2005)
Track facts: Kansas was the first of three races non-Chaser Tony Stewart won during last year's Chase. Tony Stewart led only the last five laps ...Jeff Gordon won the first two Cup races at Kansas (2001 and '02). Other winners at the track are Ryan Newman, Joe Nemechek and Mark Martin ... Casey Mears was runner-up in last year's Kansas race; Mark Martin was third ... Chicagoland Speedway will install lights in time for next season, with a night race on Saturday, July 12.
Wins: Jimmie Johnson, 6; Jeff Gordon, 4; Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards, 3; Kurt Busch, 2; Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Martin Truex Jr., Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin, Casey Mears, Jamie McMurray, Juan Montoya, 1 each.
NEXTEL CUP CHASE
1. Jeff Gordon 4 wins, 22 top-10s, 5,340 points
2. Tony Stewart 3 wins, 20 top-10s, 5,338 points
3. Jimmie Johnson 6 wins, 17 top-10s, 5,336 points
4. Kyle Busch 1 win, 16 top-10s, 5,330
5. Clint Bowyer 1 win, 13 top-10s, 5,322 points
6. Carl Edwards 3 wins, 12 top-10s, 5,312 points
7. Martin Truex Jr. 1 win, 11 top-10s, 5,294 points
8. Jeff Burton 1 win, 13 top-10s, 5,265 points
9. Kevin Harvick 1 win, 11 top-10s, 5,225 points
10. Matt Kenseth 1 win, 17 top-10s, 5,224 points
11. Kurt Busch 2 wins, 10 top-10s, 5,189 points
12. Denny Hamlin 1 win, 15 top-10s, 5,182 points
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Oct. 7: UAW-Ford 500, Talladega, Ala.
Oct. 13: Bank of America 500, Concord, N.C.
Oct. 21: Subway 500, Martinsville, Va.
Oct. 28: Pep Boys Auto 500, Hampton, Ga.
Nov. 4: Dickies 500, Fort Worth, Texas
Nov. 11: Checker Auto Parts 500, Avondale, Az.
Nov. 18: Ford 400, Homestead, Fla.
See more at www.philly.com
