Local Look: Richmond

Events: Chevy Rock and Roll 400

Local papers covering: Richmond Times-Dispatch, Roanoke Times, Hampton Roads

The deal: Nate Ryan of the Richmond Times-Dispatch says the first-class professionalism associated with Rick Hendrick's myriad companies doesn't reveal the sweat he expended on short tracks around his native state. The dazzling dollar amounts don't tell the stories of the racing hotbed he emerged from and the bonds he formed while there.

Rick Hendrick

"I resent a lot of people thinking I'm just some car dealer who decided to go racing," the 55-year-old said. "It was the racing that got me in the car business. I don't think anyone grew up more of a grass-roots racer than I did. I was just a kid from the sticks in Virginia."

Why we care: Heading into Saturday's Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway, Hendrick's powerhouse never has stood stronger.

Hendrick Motorsports drivers Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon hold the top two spots in the Nextel Cup points standings. Its Busch car is ranked second after winning the title last year.

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In 20 years, Hendrick has amassed 126 victories and five titles in Nextel Cup, 21 victories in Busch and three championships and 25 victories in the Craftsman Truck Series.

For more news about Hendrick, click here.

The deal: Dustin Long of the Roanoke Times says with a chance to compete for the NASCAR Nextel Cup title to be determined Saturday, Mark Martin doesn't feel as much pressure.

"That's like a needle in a haystack compared to the pressure that has been on me this year to elevate the performance of the team," said Martin, who has finished second in the standings four times but never won a series crown.

Mark Martin

"There is no pressure on this race. I can't help it if we have a mechanical failure or if we get in a wreck. Those are things I can't avoid and there is no pressure on that because we can only control the things we can control."

Why we care: Martin sits 10th in the season standings heading to Richmond. He holds the final spot in the Chase for the Nextel Cup, at least for now.

Mechanical woes have plagued Martin this season. A blown engine ended his day in the season-opening Daytona 500 after seven laps. Since finishing last in that race, he has slowly moved forward. Sunday, he scored his fourth top-five finish in the last six races. That moved him into the top 10 in points for the first time this season.

For more NASCAR news on Martin, click here.

The deal: Al Pearce of the Hampton Roads Daily Press says Dale Jarrett says he'd never intentionally crash anyone to gain a spot or two in a NASCAR race. It's not his style, not the way he was brought up and not the way his father taught him.

Dale Jarrett

But, Dale, not even to get from 11th to 10th in points to qualify for NASCAR's new 10-driver "Chase for the Championship?"

"One spot might make the difference in the last laps of this race, so you might take a chance then," the 1999 NASCAR champion said during a recent test at Richmond International Raceway. "I won't wreck anybody for a spot, but I'll use the bumper to move them. I'd do that, anyway, not just to make the final top 10."

Why we care: Jarrett is among five drivers hoping to be in the top 10 in NASCAR points after Saturday night's Chevy Rock & Roll 400. They'll be the only drivers running for the Nextel Cup over this year's last 10 races; everyone else will be racing for 11th on back.

For more NASCAR news on Jarrett, click here.

The deal: Dustin Long of the Roanoke Times says Elliott Sadler has started nearly every Nextel Cup race during the past two months the same way as he attempted to make the championship chase. Face pale. Stomach churning.

Elliott Sadler celebrates his first California Speedway win.

After each race, he would calculate and contemplate what he would need to do in the next race to remain in the top 10 in the season standings. Over and over the cycle repeated itself for the 29-year-old Emporia, Va., native and worrywart.

"I've wanted this so much," Sadler said about challenging for a championship.

Last week at Bristol, his anxiety triggered a wardrobe malfunction. He couldn't zip up his uniform before the race, so he sealed it with duct tape.

Sadler can relax. His victory in Sunday night's Pop Secret 500 at California Speedway all but clinches a spot in the season-ending title chase.

Why we care: Sadler, sixth in the standings, needs only to start this Saturday night at Richmond to assure his eligibility. While Sadler can laugh about his recent angst, others can't relax. Nine drivers are competing for four spots in the title chase. Those drivers are within 76 points of each other, heading into the season's next-to-last short-track race.

For more NASCAR news on Sadler, click here.