Cross' Words: Texas (cont'd)

Six of one ...
Drivers with momentum heading to Phoenix:

1. Jeff Gordon -- Another top-five (his fifth in the past six races) but he's feeling the heat.

2. Jeff Burton -- His victory was the first repeat performance at Texas. ... I told you so!

3. Mark Martin -- Could he pick 'n' choose his way into the Chase? If so, expect another tweak to the system.

4. Carl Edwards -- He hasn't finished lower than 17th in his past five starts.

5. Brian Vickers -- Three top-15s in four starts ... and if he qualifies at Phoenix -- watch out.

6. Kasey Kahne -- With much expected of the No. 9 team is a top-20 finish reason to get excited? Yup.

Half a dozen of the other ...
And six drivers who need a jump start:

1. J.J. Yeley -- Was 43rd at Texas and Phoenix hasn't been his cup o' tea (24.0 average finish in two races).

2. Elliott Sadler -- Is still only 23 points behind 12th place but needs better than mere top-20s to make a run.

3. Kyle Busch -- Was a beast in the desert in 2005. Did a 180 in '06. Will the sands of time change again?

4. Ryan Newman -- Would you believe he has only three lead-lap finishes this year?

5. Dave Blaney -- He was supposed to have been Toyota's best chance each week. He doesn't even have a lead-lap finish.

6. Michael Waltrip -- It's been a long time since Feb. 18. Maybe his homework is on "How I spent my St. Patrick's Day / April Fool's Day / Spring Break / Easter / Tax Return vacation."

Feel the power

Three names you'll see in the Power Rankings' top 10 on Wednesday:

8. Carl Edwards -- There was a girl knocking at his door all night at Texas. He finally let her out.

9. Kyle Busch -- Learn from Bart Simpson: They are laughing at me, not with me.

10. Jamie McMurray -- After Mac took out two huge divots on the golf course, two ants climbed on top of his ball: "Let's get up here before we get killed!"

The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.