Cross' Words: Pocono (cont'd)

Say what?

"The new jet is a little faster than his old one because we wouldn't have made it in that. And we'd still be flying in my plane. So it was nice of Jack to spend the money for the extra speed."
-- Carl Edwards, who flew from Pocono to Nashville to race in the Busch Series on Saturday night. ... And now we know where Roush's money is being spent in lieu of testing.

Figuratively speaking

4 -- Races this season in which a Joe Gibbs Racing driver has led the most laps: Bristol (Tony Stewart, 257); Phoenix (Stewart, 132); Darlington (Denny Hamlin, 179); and Pocono (Hamlin, 49).

In six races, Gibbs drivers have led the second-most laps: Daytona (Stewart), Atlanta (Stewart), Bristol (Hamlin), Martinsville (Hamlin), Phoenix (Hamlin) and Talladega (Hamlin).

Collectively, the three-driver stable has led 1,322 laps (Hamlin, 661; Stewart, 650; J.J. Yeley, 11). Still, the team is 0-for-14.

Up Next

Citizens Bank 400 | Michigan | 12:30 p.m. ET Sunday | TNT
Race No. 15 of 36 | Get tickets | Book travel

• Defending race winner: Kasey Kahne
• Most victories at the track: Bill Elliott (7)
• Best average finish (minimum five starts): Matt Kenseth (7.9 in 15 starts)
Active drivers only

Mailbag

More than 2,000 e-mails bogged down the inbox this week, the vast majority of which agreed with my contention that Kurt Busch should have been parked for his Dover antics. So instead of rehashing the safety issue -- which obviously applies only to the racetrack, not pit road and crew members -- let's move on ...

T.J. from Parts Unknown
How much longer is NASCAR going to pretend it's not trying to fix races for "Mr. Charmed Life"? Isn't it amazing, with all Jeff Gordon's car problems, that NASCAR threw the caution just as Ryan Newman was going to pass him, but refused to when Jimmie Johnson's flat tire was throwing debris all over the track?

As the No. 48 was spewing debris to the far corners of Monroe County, Pa., there were a lot of people who were wondering when (if?) the caution would be displayed. Alas, it didn't happen; the debris wasn't hindering the racing, Agent Mulder. Chalk it up to another judgment call by the guys in the box.

Tom in Simi Valley, Calif.
So I'm checking out the first practice session from Pocono on SPEED and they are interviewing Carl Edwards. Matt Yocum asks Carl what his biggest challenges are on this track (at this early point in practice). Carl responds with, "Well, we're real good in [Turns] 1 and 2 but we're struggling a little bit in 3 and 4." ... Hey, Carl -- it's a triangle.

Nice observation -- and one that did not go unnoticed by several others. ... Maybe an Easy Button would be more apropos when Carl is spouting well-rehearsed lines when the camera is on. (Continued)