Seven-post shakers stir up Cup Series' team hierarchy (cont'd)

"I like to refer it to being like someone who is off their leg for a while [because of an injury] and you've got to rehabilitate it. If you get behind a year, it takes three years to get caught back up.

"By the time you get one, something new could be out and you're always chasing. That's where you have to be a visionary and that's where Mr. Hendrick has been able to do a great job with his organization as a whole. They're always looking far enough ahead to keep doing it. That's what we're trying to do with Petty Enterprises, but we're also always trying to balance the dollar to maximize the growth."

Evernham soberly admitted that renting time on a seven-post shaker on even a fairly regular basis is nowhere near the same as having one in your own shop. But even as he courts a new source of revenue in investor George Gillet, whom Evernham may take on as a partner, he wonders when and if he'll ever get one.

"It is different than when you can be on them all the time," Evernham said. "But look, the big teams are always going to be good and a little ahead of the curve on some of this stuff. The challenge is no different than in any other business. America is a free country. I can't stand here and complain, 'Woe is me because Rick Hendrick has a shaker machine and I don't.' I've got to stand here and say, 'How do I get the resources to beat Rick Hendrick?'

"He's earned what he's got. Richard Childress has earned what he's got. Joe Gibbs has earned what he's got. And I've got to earn what I get. I've only been in business seven years. I've just got to dig my heels in hope that people like George Gillet can help me get to where these guys are."

Until then, it's likely the top tier in Nextel Cup racing will remain shaken, but not stirred.