Cross' Words: Daytona (cont'd)

Say What?

"Walking down pit road, saying congratulations to Jeff Gordon, I got blown off. I guess I'm the outsider looking in now and I'll probably not be invited to the team meetings next week."
-- Kyle Busch, after not getting a push from his Hendrick teammates during the closing laps on Saturday night

Figuratively Speaking

10 years -- Length of contract inked between ISC and Coca-Cola marking the brand's makes as the "Official Soft Drink," "Official Sparkling Beverage" and "Official Water" for 10 of ISC's wholly owned and/or operated motorsports facilities.

The announcement came less than 24 hours after the Pepsi 400. At Daytona, an ISC facility. ... Don't let the hauler door hit you on the way out.

• A close second: Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 07, finished seventh on 7-7-'07. ... And you only thought they canceled Seventh Heaven.

And for those of you who missed the Jack Daniel's post-race show on NASCAR.COM: Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 07 Chevy, finished seventh on July 7, 2007.

Up Next

USG Sheetrock 400 | Chicago | 2:30 p.m. ET Sunday | TNT
Race No. 19 of 36 | Get tickets | Book travel

• Defending race winner: Jeff Gordon
• Most victories at the track: Kevin Harvick (2)
• Best average finish (minimum five starts): Jimmie Johnson (3.6 in five starts)
Active drivers only

If you're in the Windy City on Monday night, July 16, snag a ticket to the Giants-Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Ganassi drivers Juan Montoya, Reed Sorenson and David Stremme will be there for a Wrigley's chewing gum promo (their racecars will be downtown at Wrigley's corporate headquarters on Monday) and one of them will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the ballgame.

Word is Sorenson and Stremme are most adamant about being the one to make the first pitch, but for different reasons. Seems that Sorenson uncorked a wild pitch two years ago (and was booed by the fans) and now he wants to make amends. However, Stremme doesn't want to take any chances and believes if he makes the first pitch then the Ganassi stable is assured of making up for Sorenson's gaffe.

The drivers also will lead the Take Me Out to the Ballgame sing-along during the seventh-inning stretch. ... Apparently, Jeff Gordon wasn't available.

Mailbag

Saturday night TNT took the wraps off its Wide Open coverage, which included zero national commercial breaks. Yes, there were commercial breaks for local television and there was advertising on the screen. But for the most part, it was green-to-checkers coverage -- and you can bet that FOX and ABC/ESPN were taking notes.

The fans' response has been just what you'd expect: some liked it, others despised it. Hey, it's the NASCAR Nation way.

If you want to weigh in on the broadcast, click here.

• Here's where I want your opinion: the arrest of Truck Series driver Aaron Fike.

NASCAR is a part of the sports mainstream, and with it comes mainstream problems. Yes, NASCAR has a strict policy against substance abuse. Yes, NASCAR is swift with its punishment.

But should the proverbial "three strikes and you're out" apply to drivers? Should drivers be given a second chance, much less a third, to break the law?

I'm sure there will be liberal and conservative opinions on this. E-mail me yours. (Continued)