Dale Jarrett is in 11th place, 51 points from a berth in the 10-race Chase. Credit: Autostock

Cross' Words: Michigan

After getting word on the official name of the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series race at California Speedway on Sept. 2, I'm speechless:

The Relocate Here 200 presented by the County of San Bernardino.

MICHIGAN •   Unofficial Results •   Unofficial Standings •   Lap-by-Lap coverage WinnerJeremy Mayfield celebrates his first victory of the season Big wreckTroubles for Kyle Busch and Chase contender Sadler TrackPassCatch all the highlights from Michigan Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

... So, there are only three races remaining until the Chase begins at New Hampshire on Sept. 18. Two drivers -- Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson -- are in (provided JJ starts the races at Bristol, California and Richmond) and eight spots remain to be filled.

I think we can safely say that Greg Biffle and Rusty Wallace will make the 10-race playoffs. To clinch at Bristol, Biffle has to finish ninth or better, while Wallace must be first or second.

It's 90-10 that Mark Martin gets in, too.

The remaining five spots: Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Jeremy Mayfield, Jamie McMurray and Ryan Newman.

I believe Carl Edwards will wilt on the short tracks, while Dale Jarrett will get leap-frogged by Gordon this weekend at Bristol.

However, DJ will get that $1 million consolation prize for finishing 11th in points.

Flags

• Red -- Elliott Sadler has finished 12th or worse in his last seven races, while Dale Jarrett has finished 14th or worse in his last six races.

• Yellow -- Jeff Gordon led the points after 23 races one year ago; this year, he's 12th. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was third in points; this year, he's 16th.

• Green -- After 23 races last year, Greg Biffle was 18th in the points; this year, he is third. Rusty Wallace was 19th in points; this year, he's fourth.

Quote, Unquote

"It would be great to move on next year and drive for Jack Roush and fill in for Mark Martin and drive the No. 6 car. If I have to stay here [with Chip Ganassi Racing], that's what I'll have to do. ... I'm committed to the end of this season; I'm committed until the end. Next season might be a little different, you never know."
-- Jamie McMurray, signed to drive for Roush in 2007

Just Win, Baby 2005 Cup race winners Pos. Driver Wins 1. T. Stewart 5 2. J. Johnson 2 3. G. Biffle 5 6. J. Mayfield 1 7. K. Busch 2 9. C. Edwards 2 12. J. Gordon 3 14. K. Harvick 1 16. D. Earnhardt Jr. 1 19. K. Kahne 1

Around the Track

• Jeremy Mayfield's victory at Michigan -- his first in 24 races at MIS -- was his fifth Cup win in 368 starts. He is the 10th different race winner this year; there were 13 in 2004.

• Scott Riggs was the runner-up at Michigan, marking a career-best Cup finish and his first top-10 in four races at MIS. His previous best finish was fourth in the season-opening Daytona 500.

• Kurt Busch at Michigan led the most laps -- 65 of 200 -- for the third time this season (Phoenix, 219; Pocono, 131). He finished seventh at MIS, but won the other two races.

Up Next

Bristol Motor Speedway

After Sunday's 400-mile fuel race, it's on to the .533-mile bullring at Bristol. Gas mileage won't be an issue, but the guys in the fab shop have their work cut out for them. Only 197 points separate fifth-place Mark Martin and 10th-place Jamie McMurray, so points will be a premium for the Chase contenders -- including Dale Jarrett, who is just 51 points behind McMurray.

• Tony Stewart has one victory and four top-10 finishes in 13 races at Bristol. He has finished outside the top 10 in six of his last seven races there, and has a 17.2 average finish at the track.

• Ryan Newman has three top-10s in seven starts at Bristol; his other four finishes are 22nd or worse. He was the runner-up to Dale Earnhardt Jr. in this race one year ago, but Newman's average finish is 20.0.

• Carl Edwards has finished 26th or worse in both of his races at Bristol. He finished 33rd in this race one year ago and 26th there in April. Edwards has one top-10 in six starts on short tracks.

E-MAIL •   Send Duane your thoughts ...

Mail Call

I'm with you on whacking a Pocono and a Loudon race. I think the whole NASCAR community would like to see that done. Too bad they couldn't have done that and saved Rockingham or Darlington. I wish the boys in the offices in Daytona could see that, too. I agree, another road course would be great -- and they definitely need one in the Chase.
-- Joe V.

Amen, brother. Ask any longtime stock car racing fan and they'll agree that racing at The Rock and Darlington (even North Wilkesboro) beats Pocono and New Hampshire.

I can't believe you are calling for "more road courses." What we need are no road courses. There is very real, empirical proof that road courses do not belong in the Cup -- the existence of ringers. Teams that would never dream of replacing their driver on an oval, salivate at the chance of picking up a Scott Pruett or Ron Fellows. Road courses don't belong in the Cup.
-- Kevin Walker, Wheaton, Ill.

Or maybe we should look at penalizing owners for using the ringers? How else can a young driver get experience on road courses if he is replaced by a ringer at every opportunity?

Hey Duane, if we build a road course here in Medicine Hat and then sue for a Cup date like Kentucky Speedway, what do you think our chances would be?
-- Mike Schritt, Medicine Hat, Alberta,Canada

"Sue" is such an ugly word. And this isn't Field of Dreams; just because you build it, they won't come. Is Humpty's At The Hat still open?

I am sure it has been mentioned before, but what if the Chase had a provision for a wild card? Other sports have a wild card team in contention for the big show. Why not NASCAR?
-- James Davis, Beaufort, S.C.

Not-so-novel concept, JD; it's been asked an answered: No wild card drivers in the Chase, says Brian France. If you want to be in the show, you have to race your way in. As much as I don't like regular-season points system being applied to the Chase drivers during the 10-race playoffs, I loathe the idea of a wild-card entry.

Dave Blaney Credit: Autostock

Top o' the morning ...

So here's what I'm thinking:

• Happy birthday, Jack! The top export of Lynchburg, Tenn., -- Jack Daniel's -- will be the cat's meow at a birthday celebration Saturday at Bristol. The bash begins 9 a.m. and continues until 5 p.m., and features a 53-foot tractor trailer to give race fans a "taste of Lynchburg and the Distillery." No. 07 driver Dave Blaney, Master Distiller Jimmy Bedford, Richard Childress and other Jack Daniel's personalities will be on hand through out the day to meet with fans.

Other highlights include a racing simulator, the No. 07 Jack Daniel's show car, Bedford's Jack Daniel's 100th anniversary Heritage Soft Tail Harley-Davidson, and, of course, birthday cake in honor of the Distillery's founder -- who would have turned 155 on Sept. 5.

I'd remiss if I didn't include the disclaimer: Jack Daniel's reminds its friends to Pace Yourself. Drink Responsibly. ... And next time you're in Lynchburg, stop by and say hello to my Granny Cunningham.

• Variety reports Sacha Baron Cohen (aka Ali G), John C. Reilly, Michael Clarke Duncan and Gary Cole have signed on the (and this is still the name) Untitled Will Ferrell NASCAR Comedy.

The movie features Ferrell as Ricky Bobby. Cohen plays Jean Girard, a gay French Formula One driver who comes to this side of the pond to conquer NASCAR (and play villain to Ferrell's hero). Reilly plays Ferrell's childhood friend, and together the two form "Thunder & Lightning," the most feared racing duo in NASCAR. Cole will play Reese Bobby, Ferrell's estranged father who comes back into his life. Duncan will play Lucius Washington, Ferrell's crew chief. Adam McKay (Anchorman) will direct.

As Ali G would say: Longtime NASCAR fans is supposed to swallow dis? Wot, no one could get da rights to a 'Stroka' Ace sequel?

• And to the guys at Piping Supply in Chattanooga: Yeah, I know Sarah.

Masters of the Bullring Most victories at Bristol No. Driver W T-5 T-10 1. D. Waltrip 12 26 32 2. D. Earnhardt 9 20 30 tie * R. Wallace 9 21 28 tie C. Yarborough 9 16 16 5. * J. Gordon 5 10 15 tie D. Pearson 5 8 10 * -- Active

Fantasy Perspective

Roush teammates Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth have six top-10 finishes in the past seven races at Bristol. Busch has won four of the last seven races at the track.

Kevin Harvick has been running at the finish in all nine of his races at Bristol, the longest current streak, with seven top-10s. He won the Food City 500 in April.

Rusty Wallace has nine victories in 43 races at Bristol, the most of any full time driver. Wallace is tied for second in wins at Bristol behind Darrell Waltrip (12).

Fantasy Racing NASCAR.COM's Duane Cross takes part in a weekly fantasy racing segment on 790 The Ball in High Point, N.C. The season-to-date standings: Player Points This Week ... NASCAR.COM's Duane Cross 364 8 for Kenseth, 6 for Stewart, 5 for Biffle, whiffed on Gordon and Martin Show host Marc Amazon 357 6 for Stewart, 5 for Biffle, blanked by Martin, Newman and Wallace Update anchor Bill Kimm 343 8 for Kenseth, 6 for Stewart, 5 for Biffle, 4 for Busch, nada from Martin 790 The Ball Listeners 320 6 for Stewart, 1 for Johnson, K'd on Martin, Wallace and Waltrip The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.

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