Gateway a chance to make a name, build a reputation

Aric Almirola has switched teams, although he's still going to drive five more races for Joe Gibbs Racing this season to honor his contract. He has a victory on his resume this season.

In the same garage, Almirola's new teammate Regan Smith has dropped his Busch Series schedule because of funding shortages at Ginn Racing. He was fifth in points at the time.

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Shane Huffman was dropped as driver of JR Motorsports' No. 88 despite sitting 13th in points -- the fifth-highest driver who was considered to be a Busch-only wheelman.

Silly Season in the Busch Series has rarely been this prominent, although there's nothing laughable when the circuit turns to Gateway International Raceway on Saturday for the Gateway 250 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2). Just six Cup Series drivers are entered in the race, a rare low number on the season -- yet a product of running a Busch race on an even rarer Cup off-week.

"I love to race any weekend and it doesn't really bother me how many Cup drivers are in the field," said Scott Wimmer, who has the best average running position (4.525) of any driver entered in Saturday night's race. "I like the aspect that the Busch drivers get a lot more attention at the stand-alones. The media tends to focus on the Cup guys when it is a companion event and the full-time Busch drivers tend to take a backseat."

Busch drivers may move to the front this week, but not necessarily the driver's seat.

Carl Edwards, who continues to run away with the points lead, is in the field. And he did win this race last year. And he does have plans to do it again.

"We are bringing the car we won Gateway with last year, and we have the goal to repeat," said Pierre Kuettel, crew chief for Edwards' No. 60 team. "Gateway International Raceway is close to home for Carl and he will have lots of friends and family there. It should be a fun race."

Fun for Edwards, that is.

"I want to give them a great show," Edwards said of his personal audience, who will make the drive from Columbia, Mo., to Madison, Ill. "The Nextel Cup Series is off this weekend so I can focus all my efforts on the Busch Series. This race means a lot to me"

It will mean a lot to the Wallace family, too, as three members of the racing clan will be in the race -- brothers Mike and Kenny, along with nephew Steve. Of course, fourth member Rusty will be calling the race on ESPN2. Their racing started on short tracks all around nearby St. Louis.

While Mike Wallace will be in his normal No. 7 and Steve will be in his No. 66, Kenny Wallace will be driving RCR's No. 2 Chevrolet in lieu of Clint Bowyer. For the Busch Series veteran, it'll be just his second race of the season after subbing for a sick David Gilliland at California.

But it may mean the most to the unfamiliar names.

Names like Brad Keselowski. He will be in the second of a three-race contract with JR Motorsports. His debut with the team was a solid 14th-place showing. Another good run and the coveted Busch ride could be his for the taking.

"I've had some fun races there in the Truck Series, and I'm looking forward to going back with the Navy team this weekend," said the 23-year-old.

Names like Landon Cassill. He will be driving the No. 24 for Hendrick Motorsports. He's assisted in research and development with the team, but this will be the kid's first Busch race; he just turned 18 on July 7.

For him, considering the way change engulfs the garage this time of year and the importance of showing off talent immediately, there's nothing silly about it.

"My life is about to go through a big change and I'm ready to make the best of this opportunity," Cassill said. "I've been very blessed with this opportunity. It's an absolute dream come true."