Local Look: Kansas

Events: Banquet 400, Mr. Goodcents 300

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Local papers covering: Kansas City Star, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Wichita Eagle

The deal: Jim Pedley of the Kansas City Star says Jamie McMurray has not been sleeping well and he admits to being a bit weary from nine months of jumping through all the hoops set in front of contemporary race-car drivers.

Jamie McMurray

But he has been reminded of something that represented very good news; within a couple of days, he would be headed home to Missouri.

Home to race in the Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway.

Why we care: Only a bizarre penalty for using a car ruled illegal at Bristol earlier this year and a couple of DNFs have kept McMurray out of the Chase for the Nextel Cup Championship.

He squirms a bit in his seat when it's suggested he's become one of the elite drivers in the series.

"A year ago, we finished 13th in points and I didn't think we deserved to be considered in the elite group," McMurray said. "This year, it seems like every single week we run well. It's not getting easier, but, yeah, it's all happening for us."

For more NASCAR news on McMurray, click here.

The deal: Stu Durando of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says as hundreds of people engulfed a stage in a St. Louis mall, it was difficult to find anyone who wasn't splashed with red clothing. Yet, Cardinals apparel was conspicuous by its absence.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

As their hero stepped into view, shrill shrieks of joy pierced through a neighboring department store. But this wasn't some boy-band singer or soap-opera star.

The man of the moment was Dale Earnhardt Jr., who has rocketed to a level of NASCAR fame that prompted 300 fans to drop $72 each on a bottle of cologne for the chance to get an autograph Monday afternoon.

Why we care: Earnhardt Jr.'s much-ballyhooed slip of the tongue last weekend at Talladega didn't stop fans, including dozens of pre-teenagers, from flooding the mall. Earnhardt has consistently played down his role in promoting the sport, but earlier this season he acknowledged that he's perceived as the king of NASCAR.

"It's overwhelming," he said. "I guess it's embarrassing, flattering if you will, to be considered that. When I was 18 years old, that definitely wasn't what I was aiming for. I didn't even have the vision or foresight to see that and target that."

For more news about Earnhardt Jr., click here.

The deal: Duane Frazier of the Wichita Eagle says Kurt Busch is a big fan of the Chase for the Nextel Cup. That's not hard to figure, since he's on top of the standings heading into this weekend's event at Kansas.

Kurt Busch

The new points format, which puts the top 10 drivers in a playoff for the final 10 races, gave Busch's title hopes new life. Last month, he was seventh and nearly 300 points out of the lead.

Why we care: Since the 10-race chase began three weeks ago, Busch has accumulated the most points. He credits the Roush Racing team's practice schedule for his success.

"We thought we were a team that could get into the top 10, and work our way into it without using a lot of tests. Now we're in, and we've got a lot of our tests saved up for the last 10 races."

For more NASCAR news on Busch, click here.

The deal: Randy Covitz of The Kansas City Star says It's no secret that several Nextel Cup drivers have grumbled that the Chase for the Championship has overshadowed everyone else on the track.

So imagine how the Busch series drivers must feel.

While the Busch series is accustomed to playing second fiddle to the more glamorous Cup circuit, those in the Busch garages wonder if anyone is noticing them at all.

Should NASCAR use the Chase to determine its other champions?

Why we care: It isn't likely that will happen anytime soon. NASCAR president Mike Helton said the influence of Cup drivers who compete in the other two series could make it difficult for Busch or Trucks to implement a Chase.

"Our intentions were always to create a Chase for the Nextel Cup that was unique to the Nextel Cup series," Helton told the paper. "That also keeps us from looking to expand it into other national series."

For more NASCAR news from around the nation, click here.