Local Look: Nashville

Event: Pepsi 300

Local papers contributing: Florida Today, Forsyth County News, The New York Times

Inside the Numbers 2006 Busch Series winners Site Winner Daytona Tony Stewart Fontana Greg Biffle Mexico City Denny Hamlin Las Vegas Kasey Kahne Atlanta Jeff Burton Bristol Kyle Busch Texas Kurt Busch 2006 Busch Series standings Pos. Driver Pts. Behind 1. K. Harvick 1,099 -- 2. D. Hamlin 953 -146 3. C. Bowyer 900 -199 4. J.J. Yeley 868 -231 5. G. Biffle 849 -250 6. Ky. Busch 832 -267 7. Jo. Sauter 832 -267 8. P. Menard 819 -280 9. J. Leffler 818 -281 10. J. McMurray 816 -283 • Complete standings, click here Busch SeriesReview 2006 race highlights from the Busch Series Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

Few Busch drivers see Cup as half-full

The deal: It's an off week for the Cup Series but not for many of its drivers, writes Mark DeCotis of Florida Today.

Eight Cup regulars are on the entry list for this weekend's Busch Series race. But this season that's not news. Just controversy.

Many Busch regulars are crying foul and claiming poverty as a result of Cup's presence in the series.

A Cup regular has won every Busch Series race this season, and the money that goes with it. That leaves little for the guys who compete solely in the Busch Series.

The top six in the Busch Standings, and seven of the top 10, are Cup regulars.

Why we care: The Cup names are drawing attention to the Busch Series, which in the past has done little to whet the appetites of the NASCAR fans.

And with the new TV contract set for next year, don't expect things to change.

Saturday's race is one Busch regulars can truly look forward to. As the only race in town, fewer Cup regulars are entered giving hope that the stranglehold can be broken.

But given the resource disparity between series, it seems likely Cup drivers could make it 8-for-8 in the Busch Series.

It might not be fair, but it is the reality.

	Kasey Kahne has three career wins, all in a Charger. Credit: Autostock
	Inside the Numbers Kasey Kahne in 2006 Site Start Finish Rank Daytona 27 11 12 Fontana 13 4 4 Las Vegas 5 4 3 Atlanta 1 1 2 Bristol 23 10 2 Martinsville 5 35 4 Texas 1 1 3 • Complete 2006 stats, click here

Kahne proving more than able in the Charger

The deal: Perhaps Ryan Newman should have a chat with Kasey Kahne.

Stephen Gurr of the Forsyth County News in Georgia writes whereas Newman refuses to acknowledge the Charger, Kahne has driven Dodge's model of choice to Victory Lane twice this season.

Texas was the last race Dodge executives allowed the Intrepid, a car it no longer manufactures, on the track. Not coincidentally, Kahne became the first driver to win at Texas from the pole.

Since the Charger was re-introduced last year, it has four of Dodge's six victories. Three are by Kahne, whose wins at Atlanta and Texas are contradicting the downforce arguments against the Charger.

Why we care: Kurt Busch, who along with Newman drives for Penske South, has tried both models this year.

He won in a Charger at Bristol, and is open to giving it a chance on the aerodynamic tracks.

"We've been polishing on it to make it a better car in the long run," Busch said. "We're showing strength each time we come back to the racetrack."

Chargers will be in full force at Phoenix next week. How good they are might not be fully known, however, until the next downforce track at Darlington.

NASCAR fans movin' on up to the high side

The deal: Michelle Higgins of The New York Times writes about a twist in the NASCAR experience that is becoming more trendy to by the year.

Many well-to-do fans have given up the traditional infield positions and makeshift motorhomes for the comforts of a cozy condominium overlooking the track.

"It's the best seat in the house," said the aptly named Jim Dollar, the president of a concrete construction company who eight years ago paid $500,000 for a condo overlooking Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The first condos went up in 1984 at Lowe's Motor Speedway and have since been built at Atlanta and Texas.

"People thought it was so crazy," said H. A. Wheeler, head of the Lowe's Motor Speedway. "They were just laughing at it."

Why we care: The number of NASCAR condos in the country is expected to nearly double in the next few years.

Las Vegas is the latest track to join the craze, with plans to build 120 units and prices ranging from $600,000 for a one-bedroom condo to $4.5 million for a three-bedroom penthouse.

It's also become a good investment. Ken Barbee, who unlike other owners lives at his condo year-round, bought his unit overlooking Lowe's for $140,000 in 1990 and estimated its current value at $450,000.

Bill Jaynes was a recent guest of Dollar's when the Cup Series came to Atlanta. He was amazed by the view, not only the sights but the possibilities.

"It's millions of dollars out there." Jaynes said. "If this is a redneck sport, I want to be a part of it."