Cup overflows while other series run dry (cont'd)

With several teams deciding to expand, the addition of Toyota and others moving up to the top-tier series, Nextel Cup officials knew they'd wind up with more than 43 fully funded operations in 2007.

Those who packed up and left Friday night following qualifying put on their bravest faces and continued to stress that they have the resolve -- and the money -- to go on.

But how deep are those pockets? At what point does frustration, or reality, set in? Even though NASCAR gives out owner points to teams that fail to qualify, every race these teams miss leaves them farther and farther behind 35th place and the promise of a guaranteed spot in the field.

As one person said, "We'll see how many of these teams are still around in August."

Seven teams are already facing what is racing's version of a "two-strike count," having missed the show at Daytona and California. In addition, the penalties handed down to Michael Waltrip's No. 55 Toyota -- another car without a guaranteed spot -- have severely handicapped his ability to get into the top 35 by the time this season's points go into effect at Martinsville.

Red Bull may be willing to fund the No. 84 Toyota indefinitely, but what about Beth Ann Morgenthau's No. 49 Dodge? It had ZoneLoans.com on the hood at California -- but missed the show for the second week in a row. Or the Furniture Row folks? Or State Water Heaters? Or Dutch Quality Stone?

It's appropriate that the next stop on the Nextel Cup schedule is Las Vegas, where fortunes can be gambled away. For teams getting closer to pushing the panic button, a visit from Lady Luck might be the perfect antidote.

The opinions are solely those of the writer.